Pros or Cons or "Grain-Free" Kibble???

[ketters12]

Does anyone know the pros or cons of grain free kibble?

[LuvMySissy]

I've never heard any "cons" of going grain-free. The largest "pro" is reduced chance of allergies, along with the fact that dogs don't eat grains in the wild. Grains are also widely used as a filler ingredient requiring less meat to make kibble, so grain-free would also mean more meat.

[Amanda7]

The only 'con' is that grain-free foods have a substantially higher protein content. The ones I've looked into are around 42% protein, as opposed to 21-25% in other foods.

Many people believe that it's harmful to give yorkies a high protein food and that it causes health problems. However, I don't know if there is any definitive proof of this.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Amanda7

The only 'con' is that grain-free foods have a substantially higher protein content. The ones I've looked into are around 42% protein, as opposed to 21-25% in other foods.

Many people believe that it's harmful to give yorkies a high protein food and that it causes health problems. However, I don't know if there is any definitive proof of this.

This is not true across the board - there are many grain-free options that maintain a protein level of under 30% - but you have to look toward the baked kibble, more premium kibble brands, and/or freeze-dried raw.

[KitKatJam]

The grain free kibble I feed has 25% protein

[Erin]

We are trying Taste of the Wild - grain free with a lower protein content. My dogs porked out on Evo but did well on Orijen. They seem to like the Taste of the Wild!

[House]

Originally Posted by KitKatJam

The grain free kibble I feed has 25% protein

What do you feed?

[Ellie May]

Two cons of grain-free kibble are a possibility (not always) of higher fat content and the fact that there is just about zero moisture in kibble and the higher protein may increase the need for moisture. I think grain-free canned is probably better or maybe adding water to the kibble.

[svirgo74]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

This is not true across the board - there are many grain-free options that maintain a protein level of under 30% - but you have to look toward the baked kibble, more premium kibble brands, and/or freeze-dried raw.

I have been looking for a grain free kibble but can't seem to find one under 30. Any suggestions???

[LunasMomma]

My girlies get Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Potato and Duck(21% protein), or Sweet Potato and Venison(20% protein). They love both! The kibbles are a flat round shape that mine seem to find easier to chew, too.

[littlelady]

Originally Posted by Amanda7

The only 'con' is that grain-free foods have a substantially higher protein content. The ones I've looked into are around 42% protein, as opposed to 21-25% in other foods.

Many people believe that it's harmful to give yorkies a high protein food and that it causes health problems. However, I don't know if there is any definitive proof of this.

One breeder told me that her pups BAT's were always elevated until she switched the offds she was feeding her dogs.

[littlelady]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Two cons of grain-free kibble are a possibility (not always) of higher fat content and the fact that there is just about zero moisture in kibble and the higher protein may increase the need for moisture. I think grain-free canned is probably better or maybe adding water to the kibble.

I;ve read this on several labels of Wellness, Canidae, Innova etc. So what do you feed your little pleasures?

If these foods are low in moisture then do the animals have to look forward to being constipated?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by littlelady

I;ve read this on several labels of Wellness, Canidae, Innova etc. So what do you feed your little pleasures?

If these foods are low in moisture then do the animals have to look forward to being constipated?

I'm not exactly sure what happens if they don't get enough moisture but it MIGHT have something to do with kidney and bladder issues.

I homecook for Ellie.

[KitKatJam]

Originally Posted by House

What do you feed?

Taste of the wild

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by svirgo74

I have been looking for a grain free kibble but can't seem to find one under 30. Any suggestions???

I don't feed kibble. We went the freeze-dried raw version using The Honest Kitchen. One major benefit of freeze-dried raw is that you know how much moisture is going into the food as you are adding it, and another even larger benefit of freeze-dried is the the freeze-drying process completely eliminates any chance of contamination of salmonella or E-coli, yet still keeps the essential process of raw contained. I have heard criticism that freeze-dried raw isn't good for them and shouldn't be used long-term, but I've heard no such thing from the nutritional experts I have looked to. The protein content is between 21-25% and the fat content isn't too high either.

We do give Bully's (only natural ones, not smoked) to help keep teeth clean as well as "brushing", but I can tell you in general we have seen a major increase in the cleanliness of their teeth since starting THK food. I was homecooking before that.

I should also add that we use Ziwi Peak as treats. A soft "jerky" type of dried meat (again, all natural). Fat content is higher on this, but protein levels are still under 30%.