Nutrition is a sensitive subject, whether for animals or for us humans, and several ideologies exist. Just like with dietitians, veterinary nutritionists sometimes have differing opinions, which can be misleading, especially when we are bombarded with advertisements on social media, particularly from brands selling grain-free kibble. We tend to trust what we read, hear, and see. Whether it's on the subject of food or any other topic (such as training, types of treats), our opinion at Weloca is that it is our duty to inform ourselves, to ask the right people (especially the veterinarian) before changing our pet's diet, whether it's a puppy, an adult dog, or a senior dog. Our choices regarding food must be well thought out, as our dogs' health depends on them.

Grain-free kibble for dogs is an increasingly popular option in France and abroad among dog owners concerned about their dog's health and well-being. Grains, such as wheat, corn, and barley, are often used as a source of carbohydrates in dog kibble, but some people (those who advocate for grain-free) believe they can be difficult to digest for certain dogs, especially those with food sensitivities or allergies. It is assumed that by opting for grain-free kibble, this potential source of carbohydrates is eliminated and generally replaced by high-quality animal protein sources, such as salmon, lamb, duck, or chicken. Finally, it is believed that this can be beneficial for carnivorous dogs, who need a protein-rich diet to support their health and energy.

But what is the origin of this new trend? Is it a fad or is it truly linked to a scientific discovery? Are there proven benefits to grain-free kibble? Is it of better quality? Is it better for our pets' health? What are the risks? Is it suitable for all dog breeds, all sizes, all ages? These are all questions we must ask ourselves before changing our pet's diet.

Let's go back to basics: what does it take to make kibble?

The manufacturing of dog kibble is a delicate process, designed to provide a complete and balanced diet that meets the specific needs of our canine companions. This kibble is supposed to be the result of a carefully studied blend of ingredients selected for their nutritional value, digestibility, and palatability. Here is a list of the key ingredients:

Dog kibble incorporates various ingredients, each providing essential nutrients:

• Proteins: primary sources of energy and tissue builders, they come from meats like chicken, beef, lamb, or fish, as well as plant sources.
• Carbohydrates: provided by cereals (corn, wheat, rice) or vegetables, they provide energy and help with stool formation.
• Fibers: essential for good digestion, they often come from vegetables, beet pulp, or cereal bran.
• Fats: concentrated sources of energy, animal fats or vegetable oils also add flavor to kibble.
• Vitamins and minerals: Added supplements to meet the specific nutritional needs of dogs, contributing to their overall health.

The quality and origin of the ingredients, the amount of animal protein, and the dosage of vitamins and minerals contained in the kibble will vary depending on the brand. Premium brands (often veterinary brands) and therefore with a higher price will have a better composition than brands purchased in supermarkets. It is important to seek information from professionals to choose kibble that best meets your pet's nutritional needs.

The origin of grain-free kibble

Let's get straight to the point: grain-free comes from BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), which is, very concretely, a return to nature. Since dogs descend from wolves, they can be content with what is found in nature to feed themselves. The reasoning is quite simple: since grains are not an ingredient found in nature, it would not be necessary to give them to a dog.

Now that we know this, it's important to talk about kibble manufacturing. To make kibble, it is absolutely essential to use starch. No starch, no kibble. Starch is what gives kibble its crunch. Thus, starch is an integral ingredient in kibble that is used by all pet food brands (i.e., those who make our dogs' kibble).

In kibble with grains, starch comes from cereals (such as wheat, barley, or corn). In grain-free kibble, starch then comes from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and also, in most cases, from legumes (peas, lentils, green peas).

The first point that weakens this reasoning is: if we don't give our animals grains because they are not found in nature, why do we give them vegetables?

It is important to emphasize here that grain-free has no nutritional basis.

What are the risks of grain-free dog food? Can it trigger problems in the animal that it didn't have before?

Kibble appeared about 70 years ago. So we have about fifty years of hindsight on kibble, its effects, things to avoid, the benefits of each ingredient, the necessary nutritional contributions, etc.

As for grain-free kibble, it appeared 10 years ago ("grain-free") and 5 years ago in France. To date, we therefore don't really have much hindsight on the effects of grain-free or on the problems it could cause in the long term. The only conclusion we have been able to draw is in connection with digestive intolerances. Eating grain-free kibble crammed with legumes (essential for the starch they contain) is the equivalent of eating a cassoulet every day. You can imagine the damage to digestion, it's an open door to gas and diarrhea.

The second risk of a grain-free diet is that it could cause dilated myocarditis, i.e., heart diseases, according to a recent study by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, the public health regulatory body in the United States). This would come precisely from the lentils and peas used as a source of starch. Too many soluble fibers, in addition to causing gas, would cause taurine deficiencies (and therefore heart disease).

Fact / Fiction about grain-free

"A dog is a carnivore, so it should not eat grains because they make digestion difficult." => FALSE

We often hear the argument from those who advocate a grain-free canine diet, claiming that dogs are naturally carnivorous since they are ultimately just domesticated wolves. A diet based on meat and offal should therefore be sufficient. But unlike wolves, dogs have become closer to humans, who began agriculture more than 10,000 years ago. Dogs were fed human table scraps. They have therefore followed a very different path from wolves in terms of diet. The proof of this is a recent scientific study that showed that, unlike wolves, dogs have acquired the ability to digest starch (thanks to enzymes called amylase). Starch is the basis for kibble production!

"Grain-free kibble is carbohydrate-free, so it's better for our dogs." => FALSE.

Kibble with grains is made from wheat, corn, and barley. As we explained, starch is essential for producing kibble. Kibble with grains will therefore contain carbohydrates.

In grain-free kibble, the starch source changes, and manufacturers will use legumes or potatoes, for example. So there will also be carbohydrates! It is important not to confuse "grain free" with "carbohydrate free".

"Just like in humans, cereals are sources of allergies and food intolerance (especially gluten)." => TRUE, but only in very few cases.

Your pet may develop allergies or intolerances due to cereals present in kibble. However, when allergies occur, cereals are only responsible for 13% of cases. Cereals are therefore the 5th most common allergen, behind beef (34% of allergies), dairy products (17%), chicken (15%), and lamb (14.5%).

Furthermore, should we be concerned about gluten? First, gluten is not present in all cereals. While it is found in foods such as wheat, barley, spelt, and rye, it is not present in corn or rice. Second, gluten allergy is hereditary in animals as it is in humans. Only certain breeds are prone to this type of problem, such as Irish Setters and Border Terriers. So there's no need to worry too much, and it's not a reason to remove cereals for all dog breeds.

"By removing grains, pet food manufacturers increase the animal protein content." => FALSE in most cases.

It is true that grains are nutritionally less interesting than proteins in our dogs' diet. Thus, the idea of saying that if we remove grains from kibble, there will be more room to add more meat is a good one. Unfortunately, it is not or hardly technically feasible. As we have seen, we must in all cases add a source of starch to make kibble. So, there must be room for legumes or potatoes. This space cannot therefore be taken up by more proteins.

It should still be noted that some brands manage to reduce the amount of starch to increase the protein content, which in these cases can be interesting.

"Grain-free means no mycotoxins." => FALSE

For some dog owners, the concern is not so much the cereals themselves but the mycotoxins they can contain. These toxins, produced by molds, can form on plant products during cultivation or storage, affecting not only cereals but also other foods such as potatoes and legumes (used in grain-free kibble). Mycotoxins can also be found in livestock feed, potentially contaminating meat if animals consume these infected forages, and consequently, they can be present in all types of kibble, whether they contain cereals or not.

However, the risk of mycotoxin contamination is strictly monitored. Kibble producers who are members of the FACCO (French Federation of Pet Food Manufacturers) regularly test raw materials to identify any presence of mycotoxins, allowing contaminated ingredients to be eliminated before use.

"Kibble loaded with grains is nutritionally poor" => TRUE

In reality, the problem is not really the presence of grains, but rather their quantity. To be healthy, a dog must have a diet rich in protein from meat (chicken, lamb, duck, turkey) or fish such as salmon. Protein should account for 30 to 40% of their diet. Therefore, kibble that is too rich in grains and not rich enough in protein does not meet a dog's nutritional needs. Whether you choose kibble with or without grains, it is always important to look at the composition and the list of all ingredients on the product label. And beware, price does not always mean quality.

In conclusion, from a purely nutritional point of view, grain-free is no better than kibble containing grains. The only thing that matters is the content of starch-containing ingredients and the protein content. You can find good kibble with or without grains that has a low starch content coupled with a high protein content. Kibble with a very high content of legumes or grains should be avoided. It is always recommended to consult a veterinarian before changing your dog's diet. Every dog is different and has specific nutritional needs, so it is essential to choose a diet that suits your dog and provides all the nutrients it needs to be healthy.