Grain-free diets are one of the largest growing sections of the pet food market with more and more pet owners buying these expensive diets, with claims that they are healthier for pets and less likely to cause allergies. It all sounds great….but it’s just not true! Just because humans are gluten or wheat-intolerant does not mean your pet is too!
There is no reliable evidence that suggests that it is harmful to feed grains as a group to dogs or cats. Whole grains, rather than being “cheap fillers” (as some pet owners are led to believe), do contribute valuable nutrients including vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and fibre to your dog’s diets. Some grain products even provide protein that is easier for your pet to digest than some protein from meat.
Most dogs are very efficient at digesting and absorbing nutrients from grains in amounts typically found in pet foods.
While food allergies in pets are not that common, allergies to grains are even rarer. Pets that do have allergies are most likely to be allergic to animal proteins such as chicken, beef, and dairy (all commonly used in pet food as the pet food market can obtain these by products from the abbatoirs very cheaply).
Gluten intolerance although very common in us humans (I think I may be slightly gluten intolerant as I bloat after eating bread) is also exceedingly rare in pets, with gastrointestinal signs from eating gluten having been confirmed only in one inbred family of Irish Setters and a family of Border terriers that display cramping syndrome if gluten is eaten.
So just remember “grain-free” is a marketing concept designed to sell pet food, not a health solution to help your pet live a long, healthy life with the same intolerances as you may have.
Don’t believe the marketing hype about grain free diets!
Is it harmful to your pet’s heart to feed a grain free diet?

Pets At Home sell plant-based dog food!
Pets at Home own brand Wainwrights launch a plant-based tinned and dry dog food in their stores
Dora the Newfypoo was raw fed and now adores her vegan diet!
We all need a Dora in our lives – her optimism and love of life and her vegan dog food fills us all with such hope!
Gentle giant Drake’s life transforms on a vegan diet
Since starting on a homecooked wholefood vegan dog food diet, Drake’s life changes dramatically for the better!
Moss has a calming effect on his meat-eating brother
Moss shows no interest in his brother’s food, whereas his brother is very keen to get Moss’ vegan food!
12 year old Mastiff Troy’s astounding transition from raw to vegan dog food
Troy was fed a raw food diet all his life but at the age of 12, he transitioned to vegan dog food and the changes seen are astounding!
“I feel massively positive – to be vegan now is the easiest thing in the world”
The Guardian features Dr Arielle Griffiths, vegan dog Ruff and other wonderful vegan dog owners
8 years vegan and like a puppy!
Molly the Shi Tzu’s life changed when she transitioned to Solo Vegetal to sort out the pain of her IBD
Teddy’s anxiety and itchy ears settled on a vegan diet
Teddy the rescue Jack Russell had a dramatic behaviour change on a homemade plant-based diet
25% Discount on our JUST BE KIND Supplement in May!
*Instead of paying £36.50 for 3 sachets or 750g of Supplement, DURING THE WHOLE MONTH OF MAY, YOU PAY JUST £27.37!*
How a vegan diet saved Buddy the Bulldog’s life
The vet was so concerned that they thought he would eventually have to be put down, he was 1.5 at the time, he’s now 2.5 and thriving
Pru’s Mum didn’t like feeding Pru raw food
Pru the pretty Cockapoo was originally on a raw food diet. In her Mum’s words – “I really didn’t like the raw bloody meat in the fridge – I just found it all revolting”
Dilated cardiomyopathy and Frank’s vegan dog food diet
Frank the Golden Retriever’s Mum is a medical student full of wonderful advice with all her intense research