Low-grain diet: what does that mean?

More and more often, when you’re shopping for pet products, you notice the term“low-grain”on the packaging. What does it mean? Is it just a passing trend, or are there actual benefits for our four-legged friends in following a “low-grain” diet?

What is a low-grain diet?

Literally, it means“low-grain diet.” All foods labeled this way are characterized by low amounts of grains, and these grains are often whole grains or other types of grains besides wheat. Why this choice? The idea driving pet owners and breeders alike to seek out this type of food is the desire to return to the original or ancestral diet of our four-legged friends. Cats are, in fact, strict (or obligate) carnivores, and dogs are generally considered omnivores, but they still require a diet based on protein from meat, whether fresh or dehydrated. Carbohydrates are therefore not strictly necessary in their diets and can sometimes even be harmful for breeds genetically predisposed to weight gain. Carbohydrates and their sources are, in fact, ideal for kibble production because they help maintain the desired body shape and are highly satiating, but our pets struggle to digest them. If our pets lead a sedentary or indoor lifestyle, feeding them foods that are not “low-grain” can also lead to weight gain, which negatively impacts their quality of life.

How to Choose "Low-Grain" Dog Food

When buying dry food for your pets, it’s essential to read the labels so you can feed your four-legged friends a complete diet that helps them stay healthy—not products designed solely to fill them up while spending as little as possible.

Therefore, avoid any product where the ingredient list on the label lists a grain or a mixture of grains as the first item. The ingredients in pet food, just like in food for humans, are listed in order of proportion; simply put, the first ingredient is the one present in the highest quantity in the product. Therefore, choose dry food wheremeat isthe first ingredient, as this is the foundation of a healthy and balanced diet for dogs and cats.

Allevastore has always been attentive to the needs of pets and their owners, and has created a line specifically designed for those looking for “low-grain” dry food: the Allevastore Natural line. Designed specifically for dogs, the Natural line is made with high-quality meat—partly fresh and partly dehydrated—which makes up more than 50% of the food. Owners can choose from chicken, fish, and lamb varieties to ensure their dog has a varied diet and diverse protein sources, and the line includes products tailored to different dog sizes. Other ingredients in this line include pumpkin, which is ideal for gut health, and brown rice, which has a low glycemic index; this means a slower release of glucose in the gut compared to traditional starch sources, leading to sustained energy throughout the day. Rounding out the food are omega-3-rich fats andspecific supplementsfor your dog’s joints and heart. An ideal food for those who care about their pet’s health.

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