The Truth About Grain-Free Pet Foods: A Holistic Approach to Your Pet's Diet

After talking with many of our customers we realize the debate surrounding grain free pet foods continues! We’d like to share some thoughts about grain-in vs. grain-free diets as well as fresh vs. kibble.

Dr. Karen Becker, a respected holistic veterinarian, preaches that dogs are naturally adapted to metabolize animal flesh and fat rather than grains and simple sugars. This perspective is crucial in understanding the role grains should play in pet foods.

Grains in Pet Foods: More Harm Than Good?

Dry pet foods need to have a “binder” to keep the kibbles together. Binders can be in the form of grains like rice, barley, or oats or in the form of grain-free ingredients like potatoes, tapioca, peas, and lentils.

Grains are often stored for long periods before use, leading to a high risk of mycotoxins. Many commercial dry pet foods are based on high-glycemic, genetically modified (GM) ingredients such as corn, wheat, rice, or potatoes. These are not only inappropriate for pets but also cause metabolically stressful spikes in insulin, glucagon, and cortisol throughout the day. Such diets contribute to chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

In contrast, many grain-free foods replace grains with ingredients like potatoes or tapioca, which can have a higher glycemic index than grains. These substitutes also break down into sugars, exacerbating the risk of degenerative diseases.

So, what we’re essentially left with is the dilemma of choosing the lesser of all evils when it comes to “binders” in dry pet food. We recommend the lowest glycemic, lowest carb, highest protein diets you can afford.

Biologically Inappropriate Diets and Their Consequences

The shift towards low-fat, high-carb diets over the past fifty years has led to an epidemic of chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases in pets. The high-temperature processing of low-quality proteins and fats in dry pet food results in carcinogenic byproducts such as heterocyclic amines, undermining the digestibility, absorbability, and overall nutritional value.

All that being said, we at Odyssey Pets offer the best dry food brands we can find. We do not carry anything with corn, by-product, or gluten and monitor where the food is manufactured and where the ingredients are sourced. We will discuss below other options besides dry food that will improve your pet’s health and longevity.

The Advantages of Species-Appropriate Diets

Most dogs and cats thrive on fresh, whole foods that mimic their ancestral diet. Unfortunately, many pets subsist on inferior commercial foods, which can predispose them to chronic disease. The low moisture content of dry food is particularly problematic for cats, as it provides only about one-tenth of the moisture they would naturally get from prey, stressing their kidneys and bladder.

A Call to Action: Kick That Kibble to the Curb!

We advocate for a shift from dry kibble to a nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate diet. This diet should include high-quality animal protein, adequate moisture, healthy fats, fiber, and minimal starch. Suitable dietary choices for pet owners include:

  1. Raw or Gently Cooked Homemade Diets: Ideal if prepared properly.
  2. Commercially Available Raw and Gently Cooked Diets: A convenient and quality option.
  3. Freeze-Dried/Dehydrated Diets: A great alternative that retains most of the nutrients found in raw ingredients.
  4. Human-Grade Canned Foods: Less processed than kibble and contains a high moisture content.

Engaging with Your Veterinarian

If your veterinarian insists on feeding grains, it's important to have informed discussions. Here are some questions you can ask:

  • Can you provide scientific evidence that supports the need for grains in my pet's diet?
  • How do grains benefit my pet's overall health compared to a high-protein, low-carb diet?
  • Are there specific health conditions my pet has that require grains, or could these needs be met with alternative diets?
  • What are your thoughts on the research suggesting that high-glycemic ingredients can contribute to health issues in pets?
  • Can you recommend tests to monitor my pet’s health if we opt for a grain-free diet?

Enhancing Your Pet's Diet

Incorporating a variety of fresh foods, such as blueberries, eggs, chia and hemp seeds in coconut oil, raw pumpkin seeds, fermented vegetables, goat milk, and kefir, can greatly enhance the nutritional value and diversity of your pet's diet.

You can always use dry food as a base and add as much fresh to the bowl as possible. Any fresh food is better than no fresh food.

Conclusion

Choosing the right diet for your pet involves more than just selecting between grain or grain-free options; it requires a holistic approach that considers all aspects of their nutritional needs. By understanding the impacts of different dietary choices, you can ensure that your pet receives the best possible care and nutrition. Remember, food can be the safest and most powerful form of medicine.