The difference between gluten-free, grain-free, and wheat-free food for your pet
Written by N |
The popularity of gluten-free, grain-free, and wheat-free food for pets is steadily increasing. The reason for this is that these types of food reflect human dietary preferences. Pet owners want the very best for their beloved animals and sometimes choose to mimic their own food choices when selecting the best nutrition for their loyal furry friend. In some cases, a pet may also require a special diet due to food sensitivities or other health conditions.
For whatever reason, you’re considering feeding your pet grain-free, gluten-free, or wheat-free food. In this article, we’ll explain the difference to you, as a pet owner, so you can confidently make the best dietary choice for your furry companion. As always, there are plenty of options, and it can sometimes be hard to see the forest for the trees — or in this case, the gluten through the grain field. What’s the difference between gluten-free, grain-free, and wheat-free?
It’s actually quite simple; Gluten is a protein that can be found in several types of grains, but not all of them. So, gluten-free means that this specific protein is not present in the food — but the food can still contain other grains such as rice or corn. Grain-free, on the other hand, means that no form of grain is included in the food at all. Gluten-free does not automatically mean grain-free, but grain-free is always gluten-free. Grains that contain gluten include wheat, barley, spelt, and rye. Oats are naturally gluten-free but may be contaminated with gluten from other grains. So if your pet truly cannot have gluten, it’s best to avoid oats too. Wheat-free food means the food does not contain wheat but may still include other grains — and potentially gluten as well.
Still seeing question marks floating in the air? Here’s a quick summary:
- Grain-free = contains no grain at all and therefore no gluten
- Gluten-free = may contain grains, but not ones that contain gluten
- Wheat-free = may contain grains and gluten, but not wheat
So, if you want to fully eliminate grain from your pet’s diet, your best choice is grain-free food. If you’re okay with grains but want to avoid gluten, go for gluten-free food. And if your pet can eat other grains but not wheat specifically, wheat-free food is a suitable option.
Most dogs and cats don’t necessarily need grain- or gluten-free diets, but sometimes it’s preferred or required. Now that you know the difference, you can confidently choose the right food for your loyal four-legged friend.
