Gluten-Free Dog Food

Choosing the best food for your dog is not just about picking up any dog food off the shelves. A healthy and balanced diet is something that every pet owner should ensure that their dogs have. This includes taking into consideration the dietary needs and food allergies in dogs. Gluten allergy is one of the most common reasons for chronic illness and degenerative diseases in dogs. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, a chronic disease that disrupts the normal function of the intestines is caused by gluten intolerance in dogs. So why exactly is gluten-free dog food so important for your pets?

Well, for starters, dogs and cats are carnivorous animals which need little or no carbohydrates in their food. The natural diet of dogs in the wild include bones, pieces of carcass, rotten greens and fruit. This is often accompanied by little or no grains in the diet. So what about the claims made by the dry pet food companies? Are the dry dog foods with large amounts of carbohydrates, low amount of animal protein and fats and containing almost no water, good for your dog?

Why Your Dog Needs Gluten-Free Food

According to veterinarians, foods containing plant proteins like gluten can cause digestive problems in dogs as they have not evolved to digest these proteins. There have been reports of dogs and cats dying due to tainted gluten in dry as well as the commercial wet dog foods. Due to this, pet owners had their concerns rising based on the food they administered and the ingredients included in the foods. Research serves testimony that dog food has an unequal amalgamation ratio of wheat/corn gluten and dehydrated meat inclusions. Moreover, they do not actually provide the nutrients found in fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. These findings were further backed with the evidence of gluten being the primary and root cause of diabetes in dogs. Apart from gluten, there are considerably, large amounts of carbohydrates that do not suit the dogs digestive system, leading to chronic diseases, which may also be fatal in nature.

Ingesting gluten through commercially available dog food preparations may invite the danger of developing celiac disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is due to your pets immune system that resists the gluten content and conceives the same as a threat to its well-being. You may notice that your dog has suddenly started to look shriveled, is enduring diarrhea, looks weak due to electrolyte imbalance resulting from dehydration. On the other hand, a gluten allergy in your dog can result in itchy dry skin, dull coat, loose stools, foul-smelling gas, lethargy, loss of appetite, and frequent yeast infection in ears. If you observe these symptoms in dogs then it is best to stick to gluten-free dog foods to cure the allergy and restore the health of your dog.

Gluten(full) Foods to Avoid

Gluten is the plant protein component found in foods such as wheat, barley and rye. Most of the time, when you want to find gluten-free foods you end up getting stuck with foods that are actually wheat free. So what are the foods to avoid on a gluten-free diet? Here is a list of foods that contain gluten and should be strictly avoided if your dog is suffering from gluten allergy.

• Wheat Flour
• Barley
• Rye
• Oats
• Soy products
• Food starches (cornstarch)
• Brown rice syrup
• Sausages
• Malt vinegar
• White pepper
• Pastas
• Pickles
• Semolina
• Bulgur
• Wheatgrass

Gluten-Free Food Recipes for Your Pet

Cooking up simple homemade dog food ensures that your canine friend gets adequate nutrition and avoids gluten allergy as well. Here are some great dog food recipes that are entirely gluten-free. Make sure you give these foods as treats as it might cause a weight gain in dogs. Here are some holistic dog food recipes that you may enjoy concocting for your loyal friend!

Gluten-Free Cheesy Delights

Ingredients

• 2 cups potato flakes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup plain yogurt

Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes with cheese and yogurt. Add a small amount of water and make a nice dough. Knead it into balls and roll to half inches thickness. Cut into one inch pieces and place on a greased cookie sheet. Place in a preheated oven of 350 degrees F and allow it to cook for twenty-five minutes.

Gluten-Free Meat Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground beef or chicken
• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup water

Instructions
Combine eggs and sweet potatoes and pour in a little water. Mix the ingredients well and allow it to sit for 15 minutes or so. After that, add the ground beef or chicken and mix well. Spread this mixture on a greased baking sheet and cut into square pieces. Place it in a pre-heated oven of around 350 degrees F and bake for around thirty minutes. Use a wooden spatula to turn over and make for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let it cool on a wire rack. This recipe allows you to make 45 to 50 gluten-free dog food treats.

A gluten-free diet is ideal to restore your dog's well-being. Why compromise on his health and playful demeanor? After all, he is the one who uplifts your spirits when you are down and wanting. Your dog deserves your love and care... and of course, gluten-free food!