Gluten Free Food For Pets - The Newest Craze

SURREY, British Columbia - Sept. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- The gluten free food diet is taking the world by storm and the gluten free pundits swear by it, so naturally is it being applied to pets as well.  There are differing opinions from the experts in the field over whether gluten free food for cats and dogs is better for them or just an opportunity for pet food manufacturers to make more money from pet lovers.

It is natural to assume that since the animals natural and historical diets do not include grains or gluten that the gluten free food would be better for them but this is not necessarily the case.

A study was done on dogs involving different food allergies which consisted of 278 cases.  There was clear evidence that for 231 of the the 278 cases the cause of the allergy was meat or soy related and only 42 cases where wheat was the proven allergen.

This tells us that gluten free for dogs isn't likely to be necessary and probably is not the cause of a dogs food allergies if it has them.  However this does not change the fact that gluten is not part of these animals diet and the decision to go gluten free for pets should be made at the pet owners discretion.

It has been noted that some cats dietary problems have been solved with canned gluten free food.  The sample size is small but the results were clear, several years of diarrhea before the switch to gluten free grain free cat food led to solid stool and a happier cat.

The cost difference for the best canned cat food which is gluten and grain free cat food is not very significant.  If there are any dietary concerns with a pet and food allergies are thought to be the culprit a grain free cat food test should be considered.

As always for any serious dietary concerns a veterinarian should be consulted.  For standard dietary concerns going back to the natural diet of an animal is a worthwhile consideration.

As the study shows, it is unlikely that the food allergen is gluten caused, and in animals with no apparent dietary concerns there should be no need for the extra expense unless desired for a personal reason.

However; a pet cannot tell a person how it feels, but it should never be left to suffer from food allergies due to an improper diet and gluten and grain free food may be the best alternative available.

Thousands of people swear by it, it's only natural for pets to as well.

For more information see:

My Cat Has Diarrhea All The Time (http://www.levelonenetwork.com/mindmatters/my-cat-has-dia...)

What Is The Best Canned Cat Food (http://www.levelonenetwork.com/mindmatters/what-is-the-be...)