Whole grains are a very cost-effective and environmentally sensitive way to provide the mainstay of your pet's diet. Not only do grains supply carbohydrates and an array of vitamins and minerals, they are inexpensive sources of protein as well. When one type of grain is combined with other grains, the biological effectiveness of it's protein is greatly enhanced because the balance of amino acids is more complete.
Grains are one group of foods that definitely should be cooked. Because the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats are much shorter than those of cereal-eating animals, like cows and horses, grains fed to dogs and cats need some pre-digestion (in the form of cooking). Once prepared this way, they are completely utilizable by the body. Quick-cooking and economical grains, oatmeal, cornmeal, millet, and bulgur. They are well-accepted by most dogs and cats and are high in nutrition. Oats and bulgur, for example, are loaded with protein, and millet is rich in iron. Larger grains like rice and whole wheat berries or barley are best used with dogs; unless these larger grains are mashed, cats tend to pick them out. Crumbled whole-wheat bread is a quick and convenient ingredient when preparing food for a cat or small dog, but it's too expensive to use regularly for feeding large dogs. Amaranth, whole-wheat couscous, buckwheat, quinoa, and spelt, all highly nutritious grains. |