Dogs and grains - this is a combination that is doubted by many dog lovers. After all, grains are by no means one of the favorites on the daily menu for dogs. In addition, they are often used as a filler - the grain is often compressed in low-quality dry food. So it's no wonder that the idea of BARFing with grains seems strange at first. Nevertheless, dogs can eat grains in certain situations. Read this article to find out exactly when grains can be used in feeding dogs.
Grains for dogs: how to feed your dog with grains
Grain is not an important part of the diet for dogs in the wild. It is possible that wild-caught dogs may ingest small amounts of grain through their intestinal contents, but you will not see a dog nibbling on an ear of corn on the nearest track any time soon. From a physiological point of view, dogs do not need the carbohydrates contained in grain. Only very active dogs or dogs used for sport, such as sled dogs, can get a short energy boost from the substances contained in grain. All other dogs on a BARF diet get their energy from other components of their food, such as fat and protein.
It is of course important to determine before BARFing with grain whether the dog can tolerate the grain at all. For example, if your dog has previously been fed dry food and has reacted to it with persistent discomfort or diarrhea, the grain content may be a reason for this. Grains containing gluten, such as wheat, rye or barley, are often responsible for food intolerances. Fortunately, there are also numerous pseudo-grains that are used in a similar way to grains but do not contain gluten. They are suitable for dogs that have been diagnosed with gluten intolerance (medical name: celiac disease). If the reactions to the food continue even when BARFing without grain, other allergies may also be the cause. Your vet can carry out an appropriate test.
BARF with grains: three tips
BARFing with grains or pseudo-grains is basically possible. However, you should pay attention to a few things.
- Grains and pseudo-grains should not make up more than 60 percent of the plant-based portion of a meal.
- Raw feeding is not recommended – it is better to feed the grain cooked or soaked in warm water for a longer period of time.
- In the case of diseases such as arthritis, inflammation or diabetes, no grain should be fed: the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar can promote the course of the disease and in some cases even lead to gastric torsion.
Do not process grains for dogs
Grain for dogs should always be fed as grain. Grain products such as pasta usually contain gluten and a lot of starch. Feeding processed grain products therefore serves no useful purpose for the dog's diet. To prevent gluten from developing in the food or during digestive processes, you can use pseudo-grains such as quinoa, buckwheat or amaranth.
