Is A Gluten-Free Or Grain-Free Diet Healthier For Dogs?
Is a gluten-free or a grain-free diet healthier for dogs? It seems reasonable to suspect that dogs would be healthier if they ate a natural diet, close to what their canine ancestors ate. Dogs have canine teeth (to assist with consuming meat), historically preferred meat and likely their ancestors ingested very little grains. Some digested grains might have been ingested from the stomachs and bowels of the herbivores they ate. These grains would have been altered and broken down by the digestion process in the herbivore and are therefore different than the undigested grains currently added to dog food. The digested grains may have been tolerated better by dogs historically or perhaps they still did react to the digested grains to some degree.
In humans, we know that gluten containing grains can be difficult to digest and can cause increased bowel permeability possibly leading to an immune reaction. I suspect that dog food with gluten containing grains could be difficult for dogs to digest as well. Overall, I believe dog food with added grains is a change from the diet that dog’s ancestors ate and could cause an immune reaction. Zoo keepers have long recognized that each of their animals should eat a diet that is similar to their ancestor’s diet. As well, the animals are healthier if they eat the same food that they ingested in their original habitat. A change in diet could make the zoo animals sick. Theoretically, the same ideology could be applicable to dogs.
Gluten and/or dairy can cause a variety of multisystem (ex. nervous system, skin, joints, bowels, etc) related symptoms in humans. For a more thorough description of possible symptoms, visit my 12 part series about celiac and gluten intolerance symptoms. Hypothetically, an immune reaction could cause similar symptoms in dogs. If your dog has health problems that you think may be related to gluten, talk to your veterinarian about trying a gluten-free (or grain-free) and dairy-free diet for a few months to see if an improvement occurs. The potential increased quality of life and savings in veterinarian bills might be well worth the change. I found that the grain-free diet was actually cheaper than the previous formula I was using.
Our dog, an Australian Sheppard (Aussie), consumes a grain-free diet. This change was inspired by our gluten-free lifestyle. Since we eat gluten-free, it seemed like a good idea to make our dog’s diet grain-free to decrease our potential exposure to gluten. This change had a few pleasant side effects. Prior to eating grain-free, our Aussie had a little arthritis in her one hip, excess gas at times, occasional looser stools, and would vomit small amounts of whitish emesis or her dog food at least once a week. Once grain-free, her coat became shinier, and the gas, vomiting, loose stools and arthritis resolved. I was quite happy to see this improvement and to me it made sense. Dogs have canine teeth for a reason. After all, have you ever seen a dog chewing on a bushel of wheat (or any other grain)?
Note: Please review all your dog’s health problems with a veterinarian and get approval before changing your dog’s diet. If a gluten-free or grain-free diet does not remove your dog’s symptoms, then ask your veterinarian about whether other food allergies may be the cause. I wish you the best!
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10 Responses to “Is A Gluten-Free Or Grain-Free Diet Healthier For Dogs?”
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My dog’s life was saved by a gluten free diet.
Two years ago my 11 year old Cairn terrier was beginning to slow down. She was choking on water and urinating in her sleep. We thought it was her age but then she started losing muscle and became very weak. She was barely able to walk or get up from a sit. She was having difficulty chewing. She stopped barking. We began to discuss euthanasia.
I decided to put her on a gluten free diet. By three days I knew I was on to something. She started regaining strength and slowly all the other problems improved. She no longer chokes on water or urinates in her sleep. She is the bouncy, happy, barking dog she is supposed to be.
Funny, my dog and I had some similar symptoms that cleared with a GF diet. We both choked on water, had urinary incontinence and neurological problems. Neither of us had the so called typical GI problems.
Anne,
Thank you very much for sharing your story. Many dogs could be potentially suffering from gluten intolerance. Your story helps to highlight the fact that reactions to gluten may cause a variety of symptoms in dogs (and humans), not just intestinal symptoms.
Thanks again Anne for your time and your story,
Shelly
I totally agree that a Dogs over all health is absolutely a reflection to what they ingest. In my own experience with my two large breeds, they both have an intolerance to turkey, which causes them to have very strong odoured loose stool with mucus in it, to the point of not being able to wait to get outside to relieve themselves. Believe me when you have two dogs that way 100 pounds and over, you learn very quickly what not to feed them
Our one dog I found through process of elimination and some research, has a corn allergy. Which unfortunately is found in so many dog foods because it is a cost effective filler. When we first got him he was about a year old, and was living at a shelter, where the choices of kibble were not high quality and/or not from the same supplier. They were just grateful for the foods they were able to receive. When I first got him, his ears were filled with a soft thick black substance, that had a terrible sour yeast like odour to it. His ears were inflamed and very sore. Eventually, once we were able to figure out his main intolerance was corn we were able to clear his ears up permanently 
I have noticed in other dogs as well, that a grain and corn free diet makes a tremendous difference in coat appearance, normal bowel health, less mucus in eyes, and ears that are free off inflammation and yeast. That is just to name a few benefits. Therefor it only makes sense that if so many systems in your dogs body are functioning healthier, than they are going to be a much happier and more energetic canine.
Kim
Kim,
Thank you very much for your comment. Three people in our family have a corn allergy so we eat gluten-free and corn-free. They have experienced a variety of symptoms from corn, such as skin rashes, hyperactivity, a foggy head feeling, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. It is reasonable to suspect that dogs could experience similar reactions. Our dog consumes a grain-free diet. Choosing a dog food that is grain-free (not just gluten-free) will eliminate all grains (including corn) from a dog’s diet. Dogs who are still experiencing symptoms while on a gluten-free diet may need to go completely grain-free (and perhaps dairy-free too) to relieve their symptoms. For those who are considering a change in diet, always check with your veterinarian (one who is experienced with gluten intolerance and allergies) just incase there are additional tests to be ordered or concerns to be addressed.
Take care and thank you for sharing your story,
Shelly
Is that a picture of your Aussie – she is beautiful.
Yes, that is a picture of our Aussie. She is a great dog and she is wonderful with children.
Great post! My dogs are also grain-free/gluten-free. My newest rescue, Mario, had been suffering with ear infections ever since the day we got him. He was constantly scratching his ears and rubbing his eyes. Poor thing! Back then, I had recently gone gluten-free and knew of the benefits of gluten-free helping with inflammation, and reducing allergy reactions to the environment, so I put all my dogs on a grain-free diet. Not just gluten-free, because I wanted their diet to resemble how dogs and animals ate in the past. Their bodies are not meant to eat rice and many other grains. It is hard on their digestive tract. Ever since switching them to a grain-free diet, they are all thriving. Mario has not had an ear infection since, they have lost weight, have more energy, and their coats look fantastic. I believe I made the right decision for them and I hope others look into switching their dog foods also. Thanks for doing this post!
Jessica M. @ATXglutenfree
Thank you so much Jessica for taking the time to share your story. Every story helps to highlight the possible effect gluten may have on the health of our pets.
For others who are considering a gluten-free or grain-free diet for your dog, I suggest that you check with your veterinarian first to see if any other tests should be done (perhaps there are allergy tests for dogs or other tests necessary to check organ health, etc).
Take care,
Shelly
what dogfood (s) brands are gluten free?
or what do you feed?
thanks, Andrea
Andrea,
The brand of dogfood I use is called Dick Van Patten’s Natural balance. I buy the sweet potaoto and fish based one. So far, I have been quite pleased with it. Check with your veterinarian as there may be a good brand aviailable in your area.
Natural Balance Website: http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
Take care,
Shelly