News/Views

What is a grain-free diet and is it right for your pet? Well, that’s what we are here to talk about. With so many different brands and recipes out there for pet food, it can be overwhelming to try and find the perfect one for your pet. Our pets are just like us in the sense that no diet is perfect for everyone, so a grain-free diet isn’t necessarily the right fit for all pets. However, for some pets it can prove to be very beneficial to their overall health. Let’s break it down and find out what this grain-free diet is really all about.

What are the Benefits of a Grain-Free Diet?

It is always important to talk to your veterinarian to figure out what type of diet is recommended for your pet. If a grain-free diet is something that both you and your veterinarian agree is the right choice for your pet, it can benefit your pet in many ways.

• Less is more. With a grain-free diet, your pet is likely to thrive on a smaller amount of food than with their previous diet. Grain-free pet food contains a lot of proteins and nutrient-dense ingredients that will leave your pet feeling energetic and satisfied and less likely to want to ‘graze’ all day long around the food bowl.
• Improve the condition of your pet’s skin and coat. Pets that may have intolerances or allergies to grains can benefit from a grain free diet. A grain free diet can help to decrease the itching and scratching that can be associated with allergies and intolerance’s.
• Improve digestion. For pets with sensitive stomachs, grain free diets can help support digestive health. The absence of grains and rice can help improve overall digestibility.

Is a Grain-Free Diet Right for my Pet?

There are some pets that can benefit from a grain-free diet more than others. Some of those pets include –

• Pets with high energy levels. Grain-free diets are especially beneficial to pets and breeds that are known to have high energy levels due to the higher protein and fat levels along with additional nutrient-dense ingredients. Combined, these cater to a dog or cat that require enhanced energy sources.
• Pets with allergies. It is common for some pets to develop an allergy to grains in their food, causing symptoms such as vomiting, bloating, stomach distress and itching and scratching. Your veterinarian can help to diagnose these allergies and a grain-free diet could be the answer to your pet’s problems.

Making the Switch

If after consulting with your veterinarian, it is decided that a grain-free diet is the right choice for your pet, be sure to transition into a new diet properly. Transitioning your pet into a new diet is a slow process. New foods should be introduced in small amounts at first and increasing those amounts over the course of a full week at least.

Now that you have the low-down on what a grain-free diet is all about, talk to your veterinarian and decide if you should make the switch. Holistic Select offers a high-quality grain-free recipes for both cats and dogs that could be the perfect fit for your pet.