If you know how to pronounce quinoa you’ve probably heard about the grain debate in the health industry. Going carb-free, Paleo or gluten-free encourage cutting out grains for health reasons. So what does this mean for our pups’ food?
Grains are complex carbohydrates made up of starch which turns into sugar and fat. We often forget that dogs are actually animals – habitually out in the wild, eating meat, vegetables and plants. Because of this biology, it is said that they don’t fully digest grains (or socks, but that’s another story). Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starchy carbohydrates, and dogs do not have enough of it in their bodies to fully break down, digest and metabolise these carbs.
Grains offer carbohydrate-based energy, and whole grains add fibre, however, there are superior benefits in other foods that outweigh the need for grains. As shown by recent studies, a good rule of thumb is a doggie diet of 75% lean muscle meat, 5% meat from organs (mostly liver), 10% bone, and 10% plant matter and other healthy ingredients. This last ten percent is what we are dedicated to filling with smarter ingredients that have proven benefits for your dog’s health.