Dogs are referred to as man’s best friend for a good reason, they’re loyal, protective, and intelligent. Man generally returns the favor by providing the pet with the very best sustenance and care. Recently, a popular trend among canine owners has involved switching over to grain free dog food. And while the grain-less diet may not be suitable for every dog, those with certain allergies, skin problems, and stomach issues will most likely be better off on one.

Before they were quickly domesticated, canines’ diets typically consisted of meats and they generally only ate plants and carbs when it was already in the stomach contents of their dinner. Most pet food companies, however, tend to ignore this information when it comes to the contents of their items. Most commercial brands have ingredients such as grains, corns, and meal, none of which were ever intended to be eaten by mankind’s most loyal friends.

Corns are included as a filler in dog food and isn’t even able to be digested by them. Many companies, up until recently at least, would even promote their corn usage since most owners were unaware of its negative impact and simply considered it a healthy additive. For a canine, eating foods that contain corns is just like eating a fast food combo for every meal. A dog’s stomach literally turns the ingredient into sugars.

Grain is another story altogether, grain isn’t bad for pets, other than wheat, but some may have some allergies to it. Owners who notice diarrhea, bloating, excessive gas, or similar symptoms in their dogs should consider switching her or him to grain free dog foods to ameliorate them.

Animals who are not suffering from food related allergies will most likely still benefit from a grain-less diet. This is because manufacturers of this type of dog kibble include alternate sources of carbohydrates and other nutrients. Most use potatoes which have highly digestible proteins and essential amino acids.

Eating foods that don’t contain grains like wheat can provide benefits other than eliminating allergy problems as well. A young pet will be able to maintain its healthy weight and an older one who has a little trouble getting around will eventually shed its extra pounds. The formula will provide an old dog with easier passing stools and a noticeable increase in energy.

The Omega-6 and amino acids included in the recipes will make the coat of your pet noticeably softer and shinier too. In most cases, they leave them with skin that is significantly healthier too. Kibble that is grain free can be obtained at most feed shops and pet stores easily. However, you should research a few brands online before to make sure you get a product that’s legitimate.

A canine has bacteria in his stomach that recognizes and attacks elements which are foreign so a sudden diet change could temporarily result in vomiting and diarrhea. Make the switch easier by adding only small amounts of the product at a time to your dog’s bowl and slowly increase the amount every few days until the old stuff has been completely replaced.

Jamie is a pet health expert who specializes in the raw dog food diet.