{"id":3860,"date":"2020-07-29T07:11:26","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T06:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/?p=3860"},"modified":"2022-08-10T00:00:30","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T23:00:30","slug":"grain-free-dog-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/grain-free-dog-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Grain-Free Diet For Your Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Choosing The Right Grain-Free Dog Food\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be a bit confusing when it comes to choosing the best dog food for your pooch this summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most pooches are especially active in the summer and they must get the right diet and fuel for all that activity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You love your furry buddy and want the very best for them. So how do you go about choosing the right food to feed them?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are dozens of dog food brands and it can be challenging to decide which brand is best.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/best-weight-gainer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345\"><style> .u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#E67E22; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #E67E22!important; text-decoration:none; } .u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345:active, .u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345 .postTitle { color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u689d6b128967cdbbff62ce7b30b47345:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">6 Best Weight Gain Dog Foods &amp; Supplements<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l9NoV\/pubref:Merrick\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chewy.com%2Fmerrick-grain-free-texas-beef-sweet%2Fdp%2F227207\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\"><b>Merrick Brand Grain-Free<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most trusted brands since 1988 has been Merrick. Merrick offers a wide variety of both dry and moist dog food for dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, and dietary needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When choosing a dry food to incorporate into your dog\u2019s diet this summer, you will have a grateful dog if you choose<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l9NoV\/pubref:Merrick\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chewy.com%2Fmerrick-grain-free-texas-beef-sweet%2Fdp%2F227207\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef &amp; Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Merrick-Grain-Texas-Potato-Recipe\/dp\/B07WF9TGMM\/ref=as_li_ss_il?ac_md=1-1-bWVycmljayBkb2cgZm9vZA==-ac_d_rm&amp;cv_ct_cx=merrick&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=merrick&amp;pd_rd_i=B07WF9TGMM&amp;pd_rd_r=ea60da41-93af-4e6d-8f94-05f7dcb65489&amp;pd_rd_w=TjvyX&amp;pd_rd_wg=t7TXV&amp;pf_rd_p=e3dc9e0c-9eab-4c3e-b43a-ba36f8522e14&amp;pf_rd_r=4VAYRFMY51CTDZF70C1Z&amp;psc=1&amp;qid=1595937055&amp;sr=1-2-12d4272d-8adb-4121-8624-135149aa9081&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=topdoghub-20&amp;linkId=77ded063df20d331fc19b73431a31bfb&amp;language=en_US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"external\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=B07WF9TGMM&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=topdoghub-20&amp;language=en_US\" width=\"382\" height=\"382\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=topdoghub-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B07WF9TGMM\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><a class=\"maxbutton-365 maxbutton maxbutton-taste-of-wild-pacific amazonBtn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l9NoV\/pubref:Merrick\/destination:https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/merrick-grain-free-texas-beef-sweet\/dp\/227207\"><span class='mb-text'>Check on Chewy<\/span><\/a> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=topdoghub-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B0089A5TDG\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merrick\u2019s is the bestselling kibble on Chewy.com.To tell you the truth, that recipe sounds like something I would like myself for dinner!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Gluten-Free<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the things that makes this formula great for your dog&#8217;s diet is that it is entirely gluten-free.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your pooch has a sensitive stomach, this formula from Merrick will help to ease their tummy issues.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your pet is fortunate enough not to have tummy issues, this formula will help keep them from developing any.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef &amp; Sweet Potato formula is entirely free of poultry products which can be a common source of sensitivity in dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Fido has a sensitivity to chicken or turkey this formula, which has no poultry, will be easy for them to digest.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Healthy Ingredients<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first ingredient on the Merrick grain-free Texas beef and sweet potato dog food product description label is beef, which has been carefully deboned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The food is made with 70% protein and healthy fat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like ingredients in people&#8217;s food, ingredients in Merrick dry dog food are listed by quantity from highest to lowest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The remaining 30% of ingredients will include produce, vitamins, minerals, fiber and other natural ingredients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Merrick Grain Free Texas Beef and Sweet Potato formula contains:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protein 38% min<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fat 15% min<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fiber 3.5 % min<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moisture 11% max<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caloric Content 3585 kcal\/kg, 380 kcal\/cup<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Great For Shiny Coat<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dog-food.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3866\" src=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dog-food-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dog-food-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dog-food-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dog-food-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dog-food-1536x1025.png 1536w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dog-food.png 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developed with a high level of omega fatty acids, the Merrick Grain Free Texas beef formula will help keep your dog&#8217;s skin healthy and promote a shiny coat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Added glucosamine and chondroitin will provide support to both hip and <a href=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/best-joint-care\/\">joint function<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is especially helpful in larger breed dogs like Rottweilers, Saint Bernards and terriers that can be prone to developing hip dysplasia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Made In The USA<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merrick uses USDA-certified beef for their dog food formulas and all of their dog food is made in the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the fruit and vegetables are sourced from local farmers and none is sourced from China.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Texas beef and sweet potato blend is a complete and balanced formula for all stages of a dog\u2019s life and is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Merrick formulas are crafted in Hereford, TX kitchen and cooked in the USA, in facilities that uphold FDA guidelines.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>List Of Ingredients<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a complete list of the ingredients in Merrick Grain-Free Texas Beef and Sweet Potato dry dog food quoted from the manufacturer&#8217;s website<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merrickpetcare.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merrick Pet Care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes, Potato Protein, Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Flaxseed Oil, Apples, Salmon Oil, Deboned Salmon, Blueberries, Organic Alfalfa, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate), Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Pros and Cons of <a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l9NoV\/pubref:Merrick\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chewy.com%2Fmerrick-grain-free-texas-beef-sweet%2Fdp%2F227207\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\">Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef &amp; Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><b>Pros<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dogfoodadvisor.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dog Food Advisor<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gave Merrick Grain-Free foods a 5 out of 5-star rating in 2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quality source (human grade) for protein<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Features a variety of natural fruits and vegetables<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free of fillers, artificial colors, and flavors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contains essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Made in the USA<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Cons<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The product can be pricey, especially if you have several dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some owners felt that this product gave their dogs diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Going Against The Grain<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recent years have seen the trend for grain-free dog foods. Some manufacturers have entirely eliminated grains from their product lines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Others, like Merrick, offer both formulas and let the pet owner choose what they prefer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The general consensus is that the majority of dogs will be able to digest cooked grains without any difficulties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Dogs Have Evolved<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is felt that early dogs developed genes that allowed their bodies to produce more of the protein (amylase) that allows starches to be digested in the intestines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This step enabled the domestication of dogs as these adaptations allowed them to survive alongside humans who fed them scraps and leftovers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We want to point out that there is no definitive answer one way or the other that a grain-free diet is a way to go for dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most dogs can digest corn, wheat, and other grains, as well as they do potatoes or other carbohydrates that are used to replace grains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best advice is to consult with your veterinarian. They will be able to advise you best. Your pooch will also be able to let you know what type of diet they can best tolerate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The knowledge may come in the form of vomit or diarrhea and a sick pooch. So it is best to seek advice from a professional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Difference Between Grain and Grain-Free Dog Foods<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There has been much discussion on the subject of grain-free dog foods. What exactly is the difference between grain and grain-free?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some manufacturers of dog food will add grains to their foods. The most commonly used grains are wheat, corn, oatmeal, barley, rye, and rice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some add less common grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and sorghum. A grain-free dog food would have none of those products in their formulas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of the grains, they might add ingredients that provide carbohydrates like potatoes or sweet potatoes. Legumes like peas, beans, or lentils may also be added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What to Look For In Grain-Free<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/grain-free.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3867 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/grain-free-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When looking for grain-free food for your dog, make sure to select a high-quality product that will also deliver the nutrition that your pooch will need.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look at the list of ingredients listed on the bag of kibble to see if the protein is at the top of the list.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exception to this rule will be for canned dog foods. Those products may feature water or broth as the first ingredient listed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For canned dog food, the whole protein should be listed second.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Avoid Artificial Colors, Flavours and Preservatives<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just the same as in your own food, you want to avoid or severely limit the number of artificial ingredients in your pet&#8217;s food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives can, in some cases, cause a dog to develop allergies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the very least, they represent an unnecessary addition to a dog&#8217;s food. You already know that your pet could care less about the color of their food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those colors are added to appeal to the pet parent. Dog food that is made with premium ingredients won&#8217;t need artificial colors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same goes for artificial flavors. Those of us who own a dog will attest to the fact that they will eat anything.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have to oversee a dog to make sure they don&#8217;t eat anything gross that they find outside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting into the garbage is their idea of a good time, so artificial flavorings in dog food is an unnecessary additive.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What To Avoid<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as you don&#8217;t want Fido eating garbage that he finds outside, you also don&#8217;t want to purchase dog food that is only a step above garbage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carefully check the ingredients label. Meat meals and meat by-products are included in many dog foods and contain valuable protein.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vege.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3868 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vege-300x260.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"308\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vege-300x260.png 300w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vege-1024x888.png 1024w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vege-768x666.png 768w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vege-1536x1332.png 1536w, https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vege.png 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 308px) 100vw, 308px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dogs find them delicious, too. If you see something that is questionable or can&#8217;t pronounce it, it is best to avoid that product.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is another reason to stick with a well-known brand. You have more assurance that you are getting a quality product that will not harm your pet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Probiotics Are A Bonus<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good for any pooch, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help dogs digest their food more efficiently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quality kibble will be fortified with probiotics, although you will not find them in wet foods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The absence of probiotics does not mean a lesser quality as it is not a necessity, but a bonus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can always add probiotics yourself to your pet&#8217;s food to aid digestion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Omega-3Fatty Acids<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are important for your pooch. They can contribute to a healthy coat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As your pet ages, omega-3\u2019s can help to reduce inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a puppy you are raising, the omega-3 will aid in proper brain and eye development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will find omega-3 fatty acids in plant oils, flax seed oil, along with salmon and <a href=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/best-fish-oil-for-dogs\/\">fish oils<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Look for a food with Antioxidants\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antioxidants are as good for your pet as they are for you. They provide protection from the damage that free radicals can do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free radicals are highly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules that can cause damage to cell membranes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For your pet, their nervous and immune systems are especially vulnerable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is now a belief that free radicals may be a factor in disease progression and premature aging in dogs and cats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals. They can be vital to keeping your pet healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Most common antioxidants include vitamins C and E. They are also found in colorful fruits and vegetables.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the foods that are rich in antioxidants are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pumpkin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pomegranate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blueberries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raspberries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spinach<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parsley<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kale<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweet potatoes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carrots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tomatoes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>The DMC Issue<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We would be amiss if we did not touch on the topic of Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The year of 2019 found the headlines expressing concern about a possible link between grain-free foods and dogs that were experiencing enlarged hearts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and anxious pet owners were extremely concerned about the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was a huge concern for companies producing what they felt were quality products, and for those who were feeding what they also felt was a quality product to their beloved pet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>FDA Update<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of this point in time, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petfoodindustry.com\/blogs\/7-adventures-in-pet-food\/post\/8861-fdas-latest-dcm-update-no-news-is-status-quo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA\u2019s latest DCM update<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> i<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s that there is no dietary link that can be substantiated between grain-free pet food and DCM.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That does not mean the case is closed; it just means that there is no substantial evidence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some speculate that there was a rush by the FDA to a judgment that could not stand up to the light of day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FDA&#8217;s recommendation to concerned pet owners now is to &#8220;make sure your dog is receiving a complete and balanced diet that is formulated for his or her life stage.&#8221; Hum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pressed for an answer as to whether there were any particular ingredients or if grain-free food as a whole should be avoided, the FDA stated that they did not advise any dietary changes based on the information they had gathered thus far. That was June of 2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>New Study On DCM<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There has not been any further definitive statement or recommendation from the FDA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2020, a new study was published in the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/jas\/issue\/98\/6\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">June 2020 issue of the Journal of Animal Science<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commissioned by veterinarians, veterinary cardiologists and animal nutritionists the study was a \u201creview of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concerns.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those researchers found no conclusive evidence that grain-free dog food could be linked to DCM.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What To Do?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, you should do what any responsible pet parent would do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consult with your veterinarian who knows your pet and understands the signs to watch for in an ill pet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choosing The Right Grain-Free Dog Food\u00a0 It can be a bit confusing when it comes to choosing the best dog food for your pooch this summer.\u00a0 Most pooches are especially active in the summer and they must get the right diet and fuel for all that activity. You love your furry buddy and want the &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/grain-free-dog-food\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Grain-Free Diet For Your Dog&#8221;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":3871,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3860"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3860"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5149,"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3860\/revisions\/5149"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdoghub.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}