Grain vs. Grain Free Dog Food

Listen in as Dr. Bill Christenberry discusses grain vs. grain free dog food.

[jimoyler]

Does Purina or anyone give you incentives to push there product?

[glennatutty]

Can please please anybody tell us whats the exact name brands dog foods is really good and safer for dogs?

[hawkdown]

I have a 90lb 1year old Germanshep puppy and I switched to a grain and gluten free diet and within two weeks he broke out into a large rash on his stomach and his hair was falling out all over his body. I immediately took him to my Vet and without even asking me my Vet knew what the problem was. He asked if Max was on a grain and gluten free diet. I said yes that I had changed to the new diet when Max turned 1year old. My Vet began to explain to me what kinda damages the grain and gluten free diet was causing Max. He put Max on a month of medication and asked me to change his diet to Science diet for large breed puppies and keep him on this diet for two months and then switch to Science diet for large breed adults.
I immediately followed his advice and within two weeks his rash was completely gone and he stopped shedding all of his hair. His hair began to start growing back and the oil on his skin began to come back giving him a very healthy coat of hair. After two months I can say that he’s back to normal with no more rash and skin problems and his coat of hair is beautiful. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Please talk to your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet

[MrThobias]

You had me until you said "Purina'

[umami]

Dogs are also carnivores. Have never seen a dog sneak up on a corn stalk ever. Yes dogs will eat pretty much anything including it's own waste. Doesn't mean to make a practice of it. Wolf's and coyotes don't eat any grains ever. Organ meat is the best food for all your pets cats and dog will get everything that they need to have a healthy life. Fresh is best way to serve it to them some companies are freeze drying it but it is very expensive. Buy in bulk and freeze it in portion size and pull it out every day as you need it. I am ok with cutting up everything have butchering experience for some it may be something they don't feel comfortable with.

[danberserk]

Carbohydrates are not necessary. Sugar can be made through Ketosis. Fats and proteins can both be converted to glucose.
Dogs would never eat grains in the wild. They would find things like sweet potatoes, berries, and peas. Grain free is better for dogs. Corn and wheat is nothing but sugar and is inflammatory.

[kimhenry]

Purina has corn gluten meal which is sold in Lowe’s and Home Depot as a weed killer. Do your research. Dogs need meat not grains and glutens.

[Natalie.Skye.Miller]

Ok watched this video and the melamine recall was not a "scare" it was thousands of dead pets. Yes grain-free arose as a way to avoid melamine (which was found in Purina just a few years ago btw) and mycotoxins, and aflatoxins, and vomitoxins, as well as generally having a higher meat content, but do go on about their being no benefit to grain free over grain inclusive. Also as far as I know gluten intolerance has not been widely studied in pets BUT did you know that Wheaten Terriers can benefit from a gluten free diet, as well as a documented gluten intolerance in Irish Setters? There was also a study done on Border Terriers where it helped them with a breed specific health issue. So in the three breeds we did study...it helped. Wonder what the results would be if we bothered to study some more breeds. Also interesting you think a company that puts corn syrup and cheese powder in some of it's food is the best but you're the vet. LOL wonder why people don't go to vets for nutrition advice

[Eva]

I m sorry but I do not agree with dr statement, as a long time dog owner I will never feed corn, grains or carbs to any of my dogs. Or dry food with Gluten especially the one from wheat ... please, here is the example: one of my dog just before he bloated cough out a big chunk of clear tough glue clear substance full of a tiny bubble of air, this is when I saw gluten with my own eyes for the first time, yes it is clear, glue-like consistency very difficult to get off the carpet. My poor dog was full of this stuff and I had no clue.
My other dog who also bloated, every time she was drinking water, water would become a thick like pudding substance. She probably also was full of gluten, when she bloated we drove to the vet clinic late night but she died in my car. Dog owners, please stay away from wheat, barley, corn, anything which will produce gluten or turn to sugar ( example of the beet pulp ), and you will save on the vet bills.

[awildwilliamappeared]

For sure a biased opinion....
You should be ashamed for being a vet spreading false information!

[XGiveMeLibertyX]

Glucose is absolutely not a necessity to life. I'm not sure about dogs but I know thatthe human body prefers to run on ketones than it does glucose.what little glucose the body needs it can simply convert it from protein.

[TexasRox]

The grain free is absolutely false! Pet food companies that put in cheap non human grade grains ( as a main ingredient) were loosing market share and now Hills is being sued for a coordinated effort to mislead.

[imalamboman]

Nothing wrong with carbs from sweet potatoes and things alike. Grains are a completely different ballgame.