dog parents often treat their dogs as a member of the family, which means providing them with the utmost care and a nutritious diet. for example, gluten-free dog food became popular around the same time that gluten-free diets (for humans) were all the rage, says rebecca greenstein, dvm, a veterinary medical advisor for rover. although dog parents have good intentions when feeding their dogs a grain-free diet, it may actually be harmful. the fda has alerted pet owners that there …

if you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. after all, keeping our dogs healthy is essential to us, and we know that diet can make a big difference in a dog’s well-being. the fda began investigating this matter after it received reports of dcm in dogs that had been eating these diets for a period of months to years. the hearts of dogs with dcm have a decreased ability to pump blood, …

however, this does not mean that grain-free dog food is necessarily a bad idea, and they may even prove helpful in a few specific circumstances. ask questions about the recommendation and try to understand the reasons your vet is recommending a grain-free dog food. if he or she agrees that grains are the likely cause of your dog’s digestive difficulties, you’ll want to switch to a grain-free dog food option or a dog food designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs. …

after all, while we all know that there are certain human foods (such as chocolate and certain types of fruit), dog food manufacturers go to great lengths to promote every ingredient in their recipes as being beneficial for your pooch even though – as you’re about to find out- that simply isn’t always the case. as we discussed in our guide to the best homemade dog food recipes, protein should always be the central ingredient in your pup’s meals, so …

fortunately, the dog food industry has come a long way and today, there are plenty of grain-free treats on the market for your dog to enjoy. as for grain-free treats in particular, dr. jim carlson, a holistic veterinarian and owner of riverside animal clinic and holistic center, tells rover, “grain-free treats are typically limited in ingredients and contain few to no preservatives, which may cause unwanted side effects such as digestive upset and skin inflammation.” while all dogs can benefit …