Grain Free?

Something we should care about or just a fad?

All of us have seen the term ‘grain free’ on bags of our dog’s food, but what does it really mean and why should we care?

At a Glance

• Grains as Bulkers: Grains (such as wheat or corn) are widely produced agricultural ingredients added to dog food primarily as low-cost fillers or "bulkers" to reduce manufacturing expenses.

• Canine Diet & Evolution: While dogs evolved from wild scavengers to adapt to a varied omnivorous diet, they do not naturally forage or consume agricultural cereals.

• Price vs. Quality Mismatch: A higher price point or recognizable brand name does not guarantee superior nutritional value, as many premium-priced commercial dog foods still rely on grain-heavy formulas.

• Evaluating Pet Food: Dog owners are advised to inspect the ingredient lists on food packaging rather than relying on marketing claims to assess true quality and value.

Let’s start with the basics: what are the grains it's referring to?

We’ve all heard of grains in farming and their role as the building blocks in the whole foods we eat and grow. To us they’re our cereals and we grow over 11 million tons of them a year in the UK alone. We eat them every day, whether it's in the bread for your morning toast or your gravy on your Sunday roast. 

So we know we have lots of them in our diets but what does this have to do with what you feed your dog? 

Like us your dog is an omnivore, they love their veggies just as much as meat and it's equally important they get a good balance of both. But does that mean your dog should have grains in their diet or not?

If we go back in time, dogs would’ve scavenged for food in the wild, whether it was hunting small prey or foraging berries off the ground, they wouldn’t have been fussy. As time went on they adapted to digest a wide range of foods, which helped them out when food was scarce. Now I can tell what you're thinking, “well they aren’t going to be coming across grains or planting their own cereals in the wild”, and you’re completely right. 

So why are we buying food that's full of grains?

The simple and honest answer is cost. Grains are a cheap ingredient and using them in dog food is a quick and easy way to make the food cheaper to make. This is why you will often hear them referred to as “bulkers”. 

Great you might think, nothing wrong with a little cost saving on the weekly shop, however once you start comparing different dog food brands you will quickly realise there is a wide range of prices and often the food with grains are more expensive than the grain free.

So I hear you ask, how do I know which foods are good value and quality and which are just brand name over substance. Think of it like we all know the brand McDonald's but it doesn't mean it's good for us to eat every day. Don’t be tricked into thinking a higher price and known brand makes it a good quality food.

Now its also important to remember that every dog is different and will have different sensitivities and allergies. We all know plenty of dogs that have been eating non grain free food for their whole lives and have lived healthy and long lives. Grain-free foods are relatively new in terms of how long we have had our loyal companions by our sides and over generations the way we feed our pets has changed.

Keep in mind that "grain-free" isn't automatically a magic cure-all for every pet. Some grain-free formulas replace grains with high amounts of legumes or potatoes, which are still being researched by veterinary nutritionists. Always look for named protein sources at the top of the ingredient list and consult your vet if your dog has specific health needs or food sensitivities.

Knowledge is power here and understanding the basics of what to look for when choosing your dog's food can seem daunting but once you have a little knowledge it's no harder than checking the calories on a packet of crisps. 

In summary choosing the right food for your dog can feel like a minefield but the more you understand about what goes into your pooch's dinner the more educated decisions you can make. The first place to start is understanding how to read and understand the small print of what your dog's food is made of. Don't be pulled in with flashy bags and marketing, use the contents label to cut through all the noise. 

Want to learn how to decode pet food packaging?

Our Guide to reading dog food labels to make sure you're getting true quality for your money.

If you have enjoyed this article and want more detail on this and other pet related questions please check out the rest of our blogs  

Thanks for reading