Are You Feeding Your Dog Gluten-Free Food | Lord Jameson

Like humans, there are tons of different diets that can be suitable for your dog! One of which is a gluten-free diet. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Most dogs are able to digest wheat and other grains without any problems. Gluten is first broken down in the small intestine by enzymes known as pancreatic amylase... These activate the gluten into smaller sugar chains which dogs then use for energy (so they can do more zoomies!) Some dogs, however, don't react well to gluten. Either they do not produce enough pancreatic enzymes, or their bodies cannot break down gluten properly, resulting in "gluten-induced enteropathy." This can cause malabsorption of nutrients, digestive imbalances, abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and inflammation of the colon.

In this blog, we'd like to discuss how gluten-free food is beneficial for dogs and the gluten-free dog treats offered by us, Lord Jameson!

Benefits of Including Grain/Gluten-Free Food in Your Dog's Diet:

Source of energy: Dogs require tons of energy to go about their day. A good source of this vital nutrient comes from gluten-free diets, which can help your pup feel better by boosting their vitality levels so they have more endurance when playing or running around in the yard.

Great taste: This point speaks for itself! Just because you're removing gluten from your dog's diet, doesn't mean their food is going to be less tasty. Grain-free food is still as delicious! (We've been able to prove this with our organic dog treats!)

Healthy digestive system: Many breeds of dogs have digestive problems when they eat food with wheat protein in them due to their own individual sensitivity or inability to produce certain enzymes necessary for breaking down this type of carbohydrate. So, by avoiding gluten altogether, you're helping to ensure that your pup becomes full faster and that their digestive system is healthy!

It helps with weight management: If your dog has been struggling with weight management, a gluten-free diet could be the answer. A gluten-free diet has been known to help dogs slim down and keep them at their ideal weight. (Plus - it may even reduce their risk of developing diabetes by 50%).

Is Grain-Free Dog Food Also Gluten-Free?

There are some differences between these two types of diets. Both of them exclude certain ingredients but offer different types of food on their respective menu plans. While gluten-free contains no wheat or barley product, grain-based dry foods do not contain them either (though some include rice).

Let's take a look at what gluten and grain-free means:

Gluten: As we mentioned earlier in this blog, gluten is the protein that is found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Many people describe gluten as 'glue' as it helps to hold foods together and keep their shape.

Grain-free: Simply put, grain-free dog food doesn't contain any grains. This includes wheat, barley, rice, oats, and rye. Grain-free dog food maintains the main ingredient as meat but removes any grains that could have been included in addition to it. This makes it perfect for dogs who are allergic/intolerant to those ingredients and their glutenous counterparts.

Should You Switch to a Grain-Free Diet?

While it's been known that switching to a grain-free diet can help your dog live longer, not all good foods are created equally. It's important that you choose the best option for your dog's specific needs because what works well on one dog may cause problems in another! always consult with your veterinarian. They'll know best and will be able to assist you moving forward with your dog's diet.

Lord Jameson and Gluten-Free Food

Our mission from the start was to create a treat for dogs of all ages and breeds - which we were able to do successfully! All of our healthy dog treats are gluten-free and suitable for doggie vegans, too. Our treats are packed with delicious flavors and are USDA Organic Certified. They're only made with high-quality, delicious ingredients such as cranberries, peanut butter, coconuts, carrots, sweet potatoes, and more. So, if you're looking to change your dog's diet to be grain-free or just want to spoil your furry friend with some incredibly delicious treats, then check out our wide range of organic dog treat flavors by clicking here.

Conclusion of Gluten-Free Food for Dogs

We hope we were able to give you some insight into the benefits of gluten-free and grain-free food! Gluten-free diets are great for dogs who experience sensitivity towards it. Checking out your dog food's behavior and talking to the veterinarian before switching to a gluten-free diet is absolutely essential, so don't forget to do those steps before changing your food!

If you do decide to go grain-free, plan a gradual transition between your dog's old food and new food. Start out with 90 percent of the dog's original diet / 10 percent of the new food for a day or so, and adjust the ratios so that they become 60 percent / 40 percent. Each time, speak to your veterinarian about reducing the proportions of ingredients that are unhealthy but are not necessarily banned by your veterinary specialist. Do it in small increments - don’t just suddenly take away the wheat as that can be dangerous to your dog's health. After a few days on this type of diet routine, slowly augment the healthy grains in place of grains that are not good for them in specific terms.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog! We'd love to know if you're familiar with this diet and the differences you've seen with your dog since switching their food. As we mentioned earlier, every dog is different, so this may not be the best diet for your furry friend. If you try it, let us know how it goes! In the meantime, keep up to date with all things Lord Jameson by following us on Instagram @LordJameson. We hope your dog is loving our organic dog treat flavors! Shop all of our wonderful flavors by visiting our website.