topic Re: I took my dog off of grain free food in Pet Lovers

I took my dog off of grain free food

LuvmyLab — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 22:08:00 GMT

After hearing everything I have about grain free food my hubs and I decided to take our 3 year old chocoalte lab off grain free food and put her on regular food. I read an article by a well respected vet that said unless there is an allergy or sensitivity to grains there is no reason for an animal to be on grain free food. Our dog has no allergies or sensitivies at all. Dogs have eaten grains way back to the beginning of time with no problem. I have heard that a few animals have had heart problems with non grain free food but those are rare. Apparently it's the legumes in the grain free food that is causing the probllem. We feed her Canidae brand and it is an excellent brand.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

goldensrbest — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 22:13:58 GMT

I did that many months ago, dcm scare came out,i have mine on framina with grains.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

FloridaGold — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 23:52:29 GMT

We just took our adult cat off gf for heart reasons too.

Now, struggling to find something she likes. Sensitive tummy.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

jlkz — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 00:01:10 GMT

@LuvmyLab

Is your lab's name Winston by any chance ?

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

drizzellla — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 00:09:13 GMT

During our dog's last check up with the Vet, they stressed that we should not be feeding our dog grain free food.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

x Hedge — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 01:35:44 GMT

Have to admit, I haven't followed this at all.

Has anyone heard about this negative issue applying to grain free CAT food too?

I have one cat that consistently chooses the grain free, when given a choice.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

FancyPhillyshopper — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 02:29:42 GMT

Cats are true carnivores, dogs are omnivores.

Never used that nutty health-food dog food--never will. Just a silly human fad that was trying to be adapted to another species.

I would never avoid giving grains to my dogs, as it is part of their healthy diet.

I also ensure my cats occasionally have fresh meat --chicken is their total favorite!

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

LuvmyLab — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 02:36:48 GMT

@jlkz No my dog's name is Sammi.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

jlkz — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:35:07 GMT

@LuvmyLab

Thank you for the response. Sounded like a friend and her lab....

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

Sooner — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:58:54 GMT

We had a cat that was wild about corn on the cob or any corn and we are talking not about butter either. That same cat would wolf down green beans too.

We had a horse that loved boiled eggs. And at least two Siamese cats that would not touch fish or seafood, and another two that wouldn't have anything with dairy in it.

Animals are like people I believe in that they are very different in what they like and don't like and eat and won't eat.

My point here is that sometimes you have to try a lot of different things and not just assume that they like this or that or whatever just because they are a dog or cat. . . or horse. I mean how many of us think of a horse loving a boiled egg as a treat?

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:15:31 GMT

The issue is not about grains, grains are not healthy for dogs. They are nothing more than filler. The issue is from the source of protein. Dogs need animal sourced protein that is not overly processed.

Don't you find it strange that your doctor is telling you to eat more fresh and less processed foods while your vet pushes them on your pet.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

NickNack — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:31:53 GMT

@x Hedge wrote:
Have to admit, I haven't followed this at all.

Has anyone heard about this negative issue applying to grain free CAT food too?

I have one cat that consistently chooses the grain free, when given a choice.

@x Hedge I have Googled several times and can't find anything about grain free and cat food. When I got my cat, Henry, I tried several grain inclusive foods that he wouldn't eat. I finally tried Nutro Wild Frontier grain-free and he loved it. The past two times I've had to buy a new bag I have looked for a high quality grain inclusive cat food that seemed similar, and I can't find one.

Even though I haven't read anything about grain-free food being bad for cats I would like to switch to a grain inclusive food.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

Shanus — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:59:12 GMT

Molly's food is protein and veggies...no grains. The grains add fat, like to people if too much is consumed. Beagles are notoriously overweight if not exercised regularly. We began purchasing Sadie and Molly organic dog food as Sadie reached 7 yrs. old (considered "senior" by vet).

I eat the same way.... Lean protein and veggies.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

tends2dogs — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 17:43:33 GMT

@CrazyDaisy wrote:
The issue is not about grains, grains are not healthy for dogs. They are nothing more than filler. The issue is from the source of protein. Dogs need animal sourced protein that is not overly processed.

Don't you find it strange that your doctor is telling you to eat more fresh and less processed foods while your vet pushes them on your pet.

You hit the nail on the head, @CrazyDaisy , however, it won't be a popular post here. People live and die by what their vet tells them. I have had more than one vet tell me they know very ltttle about nutrition.

Dr. Karen Becker claims that rice just ferments in the gut and yet, that is the first thing most vets tell you to feed a dog with the runs......boiled hamburg and rice.

Don't get me started on dry kibble..........

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

eddyandme — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:10:50 GMT

A couple of years ago, the vet told me grain free was just a fad. Nowadays, I find it difficult to find a high quality kibble at the groceery store other than grain-free. Used to buy Fromm but when Petsmart bought out Chewy, Fromm would no longer sell to Chewy!

So, I've been feeding Eddy Crave which is grain free while giving him lots of veggies and fruits and some dairy - he loves milk, yogurt and all fruit and veggies. (If I eat it, Eddy now wants to eat it.) I now do subscribe and save on Amazonsmile. Ordered a 5lb Victor which has grains (!) and will be getting that in our March order. Noticed Victor, which is highly scored on the dog advisor, his gluten-free. Looks like this will be the next thing they'll be pushing - gluten-free kibble!

Anyways, I do recommend (though I'm no expert) plenty of home-cooked veggies, fruits, eggs along with some meat, poultry and fish. It seems to work for us!

Eddy says woof-woof to all furbabies out they, sending hugs and doggie kisses.

P.S. Imho, if it's healthy for us, it's healthy for them with a few exceptions - I always check.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

Estates — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:12:34 GMT

@x Hedge My 16 yr old kitty was recently diagnosed with thryoidism..not sure if hyper or hypo? Anyways,I asked the vet if he should eat grain free.He told me that grains are generally not an issue for cats.Better to eat purer protein. My ole guy is in pretty good health in general so I must have done something right!

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

LuvmyLab — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:27:53 GMT

@CrazyDaisy Grains are not bad for dogs. Dogs have been eating grains for centuries. I have never read anything regarding the protein source being the reason for the heart problem in dogs. I have researched this very intensely because I want to make sure I am giving my Sammie the correct and best food possible. The research I read said it was the legumes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. Before Grain Free Food dogs always ate grains and there was never any mention of any heart problems for dogs during that time which leads me to believe that it is the grain free food that is causing the heart problems in dogs. I suggest people speak to their vet if they have questions.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

nyc1 — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:33:20 GMT

Our vet, who is so knowledgeable about canine nutrition told us not to put our dog on grain free when we first brought her in as a puppy. She's 9-1/2 and acts like she's 3!

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

CritterKeeper — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:37:41 GMT

I had to put my cat on grain-free food. It upset her tummy to where she had terrible gas- I mean room-clearing gas. Now that she is grain-free, no tummy trouble. And she loves it. I tried it with my dogs due to some skin issues but I didn't think they were getting all the nutrients they should be getting so I switched them back.

Re: I took my dog off of grain free food

CritterKeeper — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:41:23 GMT

My dogs LOVES raw carrots and raw potatoes, skins and all!