Pet Nutritionist Explains Grain Free vs Grain Inclusive Pet Foods | Which is Better?
Pet Nutritionist Explains Grain Free vs Grain Inclusive Pet Foods | Which is Better?
Which is better: Grain or Grain Free pet food? We take a look at the history of dog food, why grain free foods were made, how dog allergies influenced diet trends, recent DCM claims, and which food is better.
I am a certified dog trainer and pet nutritionist and focus on holistic wellness and force-free, positive reinforcement based training methods. I have been training dogs and horses for the last 7 years or so, and training/consulting full time for the last 2 (going on 3) years. I am very passionate about animal health and wellness and my goal for all of my clients is to have their dogs as healthy and happy as possible.
If you have any nutrition questions or wish to get a customized nutritional consult form me, you can get in contact with me at:
www.topdogbehavior.com
topdogbehavior@gmail.com
*The topics discussed into this video are my opinions, formed by my own personal research and professional experience. Differing opinions are always welcome on this channel, as long as discussions are civil and science-based research is available to support factual claims*
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FAQs
Where are you from?
Oregon
How many tattoos do you have?
11
How many piercings do you have?
11
What kind of pets do you have?
I have dogs, birds (cockatiels), turtles, frogs, a scorpion, a leopard gecko, and a variety of fish.
What kind of dogs do you have and what are their names?
Tiki (15), Lhasa Apso / Poodle mix
Luna (2), Silver Lab (Lab / Weimaraner mix)
Misty (1.5), Husky / Shepherd mix
dog training train teach puppy dog nutrition pet nutritionist food
#petnutritionistreviews #nutrisource #purevita
Gracious for the info. My 8yo German Shepard has started suddenly having eating issues and mental fear issues just suddenly starting 6 months ago. I’ve feed him eukenuba for his whole life (not a cheap one) and my vet can’t find any problem in blood work or otherwise. He now won’t eat at all unless I take him out to eat grass, he’ll go days without eating at all if I don’t then puke up the grass and water then eat happily like normal.
Im so worried and with no answers I was looking at the blue grain free you mentioned. Raw food diet isn’t available where I am unless I drive 2 hours every weekend to pick it up
I would like your opinion on pet foods specific to dogs suffering from pancreatitis. Seems that pancreatitis is becoming very common in dogs. Is it possible high protein dog foods are causing this problem?
What’s your opinion on Natural Balance?? My dog Oliver is overweight and needs to go on a low calorie dog food. The vet recommended Hills Science but I just don’t feel comfortable with Hill’s with all I’ve learned. So today I picked up “Fat Dog” from Natural Balance and am about to do a transition period.
He was on Nulo Frontrunner before but the vet said the calories are too high, I saw the medal series has a weight management line but the calories are a bit higher and Natural Balance is more in my price range.
So I guess my question is, what’s your thoughts on Natural Balance?
“A veterinarian” you mean a FUCKING TEACHING HOSPITAL that ran a whole ass fucking study? It’s accurate and grain free diets are not recommended by actual veterinary professionals
What are some good dog foods for senior yorkies?
Is whole farms a good dog food?
are tentils the same as legumes?
Please make a video on Nutrience sub zero dog food.
Is cold pressed grain free kibble better than standard kibble?
Is the higher carbs in the cold pressed worse than the advantage of cooking at lower temperatures?
Does this apply to only dogs or cats too? I read that cats don’t really need grain free food but if I’m not mistaken all of the top rated foods in your wet and dry videos are grain free.
I have a six year old Standard Poodle who is underweight. Last time he was weighed he was 43 pounds. He’s skinny. I feed him Fresh Pet, which he loves. I actually give him more than the recommended feeding (Freshpet recommends two half pound servings per day, but I give two 3/4 pound servings). The vet suggested I use Hills to put weight on; but, I didn’t love the ingredients and after a few days he was throwing up and walking away from his food. I went back to Fresh Pet… the vomiting stopped and his mood improved. But he’s still skinny. Now, he’s vibrant, energetic, happy. He’s also a champion show dog, so he’s got good genes. But after a recent grooming, I was very upset at seeing his ribs after his hair was cut. So I started adding in some treats (Milk Bone, and Fresh Pet chicken treats). I’ve also researched some dog foods that help with adding weight. The food rated the best was Purina Sport Pro Grain Free. My thought was to add some high quality kibble to his Freshpet. I know your thoughts on Purina, but what do you think of the Sport Pro Grain free kibble, as well as if this is a good additive to Fresh Pet.
As an important side note, my previous Standard Poodle died suddenly of bloat several years back. I learned (and I may be wrong) that grain or carbs in a diet can contribute to bloat, so I’m very wary of foods with wheat, corn, cereal, oatmeal etc). But maybe by not giving my dog enough carbs, I’m keeping him too thin?
HEllo Skylar thanks for the most informative video. I would like your expert opinion on what to feed my 10 month old Shih Tzu. I have been feeding him Blue Buffalo WIlderness puppy food but feel like he should not eat the "grain free" food. Would love your feedback.
Just found your site after searching online and asking the difference between grains and vegetables used in food. Are veggies considered grain. I will be using this video on overall info for grain inclusive brands and your other videos in my attempt to feed my dog the best and affordable food I can. Best being the main criteria. Thank You, a very well done video !! BTW: love how your dogs showed up. lol
Sooo many comments and ideas! I would love a deep dive on Canine Caviar. I won’t feed my dog anything else, ever. The one thing I didn’t hear you talk about here was the difference between grains. There’s grain kibbles, and then there’s beneficial grain kibbles, and that’s where Canine Caviar comes in. Not many brands use pearl millet. And I’ve yet to see any others use ancient grain quinoa. But Canine Caviar does. It is probably the best “biologically appropriate” dog food on the market, and due to their processing, as close to raw as you can get.
Instinct raw kibble food review
Hello, we will be getting a 8 week old puppy soon and I am researching some pet foods. What would be better between “Orijen Puppy Large grain free” VS “Farmina N&D Ancestral grain”? The Orijen looks like it doesn’t have much synthetic vitamins. Also are there any other dry food that you would recommend?
Thanks!
Do you have any opinions on Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish?
Our vet recommended Purina Pro Plan, but it seems gross and your videos make me think I am right haha. We have been feeding Whole Earth Farms but I recently noticed it is lower in nutrients compared to Purina Pro Plan. Just want our new lovely little rescue pitty to be healthy and happy!
Merrick Backcountry (Pacific Catch)
Grain free causes dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
Anything potatoes or peas legumes peanuts
Kill dogs, Google it😱😰
I had my last vet give me this speech they need grain blah blah LOL vets are all ambassadors of kibble especially is they sell it the vet office!.
I will stick to my Urban Wolf Holistic mix with raw meat and fish oils I have a very healthy english bull terrier!.
We currently feed our female Tiberian Terrier mix Zignature Lamb kibble with Weruva wet grain free as a topper. I know the Weruva is grain free. The Zignature kibble does not say it’s grain free. The kibble says it has Tourine as an ingredient. Should I change the Weruva canned to a grain inclusive canned food? If so which brand would you recommend?
Out of curiosity, what are your credentials as a “pet nutritionist”. I’m a veterinarian (specialist in anesthesia) and have a few friends who are veterinarians specialized in nutrition…. As well as cardiology. While your information on the history of kibble is accurate- I would warn against spreading misinformation about grain free diets. The “group of veterinarians” you are referring to have a vested interest in boutique diets and there are no peer reviewed studies to prove your claim. On the contrary, there are peer reviewed studies proving the link in legumes and nutritionally associated DCM. Unfortunately many families have bought into the salesmanship of boutique diets and it has cost them valued family members.
Currently- in the US you cannot claim to be a “pet nutritionist” without a DVM. So, if you don’t mind- could you provide your credentials?
I’ve been doing a grain free human grade wet food (Weruva) and occasionally feed a top brand dry kibble with grains. Been working for 8 years. Senior wellness bloodwork came back perfect.
Could you review wildology please? Love your videos!
Finding out that the "grain free" label does NOT necessarily mean high protein or low carb. HEB has their own branded lines of dry food. The "grain free" ones have only about 26% protein.
hello mam i was jsut wondering if you know anything about th brand pure balance and if its safe the grain free one of coarse
I will contact you on your gmail. I need help.
Hi! Can you do a video on solid gold small dog food? I have a 14 year old 6lbs Maltipoo dog and am looking to buy a better dry food (was using wholeheart from Petco) to incorporate with primal freeze dry cubes. Thank you for any help in advance!
Hi I’m feeding my 1.5 year old Boston terrier a food called Canine Cavier open meadow….thoughts on this dog food? It’s an alkaline based diet….he seems to like it and doing fine on it but I would love your thoughts thanks 🙏
is OWNAT ULTRA Medium Junior any good?
This video is amazing. Thank you for the comprehensive overview! AWESOME!
Grain free is always best as long as the protein is coming from meat and not a vegetable source and the actual meat content is actually high.
The point is starch. Dogs and cats have no requirement for STARCHES, which can provide energy. We humans can get "energy" from a snickers bar. Doesn’t mean we need it from that. Same thing. FAT is where the energy should be coming from Major companies know this.
Hi Skylar! What’s the quantity of protein on Kibble food you recommend for an adult Shih tzu ?
Gorgeous dog, looks like a dog I used to have <3 Could you review Actr1um Holistic and Pure Balance deer grain free? Easy for me to get since at walmart and would love to know if they are good brands, claiming to be free of grain free
The United States Food and Drug Administration recently announced reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, particularly grain-free diets, containing high levels of potatoes or legumes seeds such as peas, lentils or beans.19 Jul 2018
Hello. Thank you for your videos! I currently feed my two dogs taste of the wild. Would it be fine to switch off between grain free and with grains between meals or every other week or so when I refill? And if adding toppers then how much should I add per meal and subtract from the kibble? I intend to buy some canned food for them as well now. Both dogs are between 50-60 lbs and going on two years. one being a golden doodle and the other I’m not quite sure but he definitely is has some mix of Australian shepherd. Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks!
What about while hearted grain free puppy ? Chicken and peas
I am currently feeding nutri source large breed chicken and pea.. mixed with acanà free run poultry recipe chicken..mainly because of cost ..do you see any issue with this…or recommend fish or beef over chicken..thank you.
HI Skylar, I was just asked to pick out dog food for my Moms new dog , So I freaked out . How ever I went with Natures Balance dry. Chicken & sweet potato Res. With a wellness core 95 % beef for a toper. Do you think I did ok. I feel like its a good start.
5month old staffy coonhound mix WTF DO I FEED HER? Lol not experienced at all and after watching a bunch of youtube videos I’ve scared myself and don’t know what to buy? She’s been eating iams puppy kibble. Bit would like something healthier.
most dog food is just chicken feed with chicken meal in it…. that’s why mine get orijen
I’m just going too feed mine Rachel Ray’s dog food dang maybe switch it up with grain free and back to grain
My dog was just diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He’s picky with dog food. Finally I found a food he loves and his stool have been more healthy than ever ..but my vet says I need to take him off that food because it’s grain free. Now he’s struggling to find a food he likes and his stool is all messed up again. The food is 95% beef though. And it’s not by product. I don’t see how this could be harmful to his heart. I’m curious if I can mix the food that he likes that’s grain free with rice and that will come and that will compensate for the lack of grain. The food that I’m using is the wet food wellness core 95% beef. Oftentimes I mix it with rice and chicken. He loves it and I’ve never seen his stool better. The vet says I can’t use it though because it’s grain free but there’s nothing in it that’s harmful to him. Plus I’m mixing it with rice and chicken most the time. Do you think it’s okay to continue feeding him this mixed with rice?
Do you recommend The Honest Kitchen kibble?
I really would like you you contact me /reply. I just recently got a puppy and I want to feed her the best I possibly can. After watching your video on the rankings of various dog foods I was so upset and disgusted with the food I had been feeding her, unfortunately the brands you recommended as being the best I could not find locally. I ended up purchasing a brand called Merrick It is the puppy chicken and salmon recipe. I would really appreciate some insight on if this is a good food for my dog I just spent $96 on two bags I’m hoping I made a good choice 🙏🏼🤞🏼 The only thing I saw bad or possibly bad about it based off of videos I’ve watched of yours was apparently in 2015 they were purchased by Nestlé purina however every video review and Internet search I’ve done shows that they are still using USA sourced ingredients and following the original recipes and still being manufactured in Texas at the locally owned family farm who created the product Please tell me I’m feeding my baby girl something good or recommend something please I can tell you what is sold near me if that helps. I also didn’t realize it was grain free because I was in a hurry at the store so I am going to add like brown rice or something If necessary and recommended I hope I hear back from you
Hi, can you suggest me if the dog have pastern issue which supplement i can give him for his good
Please do a comparison between Kirkland Nature’s Domain and Taste of the Wild dry food. Or a video on what dry food gives the most bang for your buck.
I would like you to do a video on Gentle Giants dog food. I have 3 dogs: 10 year old German Shepherd, 3 year old German Shepherd/Golden Retriever, and a 9 week old Newfoundland/Saint Bernard/Great Pyrenees. I have been watching your videos because I would like to find an affordable way to feed them a good balanced diet. I do plan on adding goats milk to their food.
Can the same brand of grain free or wholesome grain kibble, be mixed?