Grain free food - any thoughts?

[punkie]

My Milo just turned one last month. He had been eating Innova puppy food since I got him at 10 weeks old, and I just recently switched him to Evo small bites, which is grain-free: EVO Premium Dog Food, Natural Cat Food, Healthy Dog Treats – Natura Pet Products.

While he seems to like it, I was at the vet today and she put some questions in my mind about a grain free diet. She suggested crap like Eukanuba, Iams, Hills, etc... which I would never feed my dog. But are there any down sides to grain-free foods? Does anyone here have long-term experience with Evo or other grain-free foods? Or would anyone recommend another brand over Evo?

[yorkiekist]

I like Taste of the Wild!!! It is a very high rated dog food with no grain.

[marcerella02]

Hey there in Toronto

Layla has been on a grain free home cooked diet for over a year. There is nothing wrong with grain free and it goes back to the roots of what wild dogs used to eat, so many believe the dog does better on it. In what i've read, dogs don't need grains so i don't include them. Your vet would recommend those food as she is probably paid by those companies to sell it. I changed vets when i started home cooking in order to find a vet who supports it. While my vet does not endorse home cooking, she supports our choice.

[punkie]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

Hey there in Toronto

Layla has been on a grain free home cooked diet for over a year. There is nothing wrong with grain free and it goes back to the roots of what wild dogs used to eat, so many believe the dog does better on it. In what i've read, dogs don't need grains so i don't include them. Your vet would recommend those food as she is probably paid by those companies to sell it. I changed vets when i started home cooking in order to find a vet who supports it. While my vet does not endorse home cooking, she supports our choice.

Hey, are you in Toronto too?

I wish I had time to cook for Milo, but I don't. Unfortunately, I barely have time to cook for myself, lol. Good to hear your dog is doing well on a grain free diet, though. I think I'll stick with it a while longer and see how he does.
I think you might be right about my vet being paid by those companies, because they do sell those brands at the clinic. I don't think vets have much knowledge when it comes to food.
What type of stuff do you make Layla at home?

[Sandysbabies]

Since my back surgery, my husband has been doing the shopping for the dogs. I feed them Inova, Welliness. He bought them some of the Evo (canned) and they love it. I feed them canned and leave kibble out for them. Welliness also puts out a grain free beef, chicken, vension. We have been pleased with it. I also hate Science Diet , Iams, and all the other garbage they try to sell us.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by punkie

She suggested crap like Eukanuba, Iams, Hills, etc... ?

Did she also suggest what her commission was on those foods? LOL.

Glad you didn't buy into that nonsense. Dogs don't need grains, they're carnivores. I think grain free is best for them - and the best way to avoid food allergies too. They can sometimes handle a bit of grain, but small amount, if any at all, is best in my book.

[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Dogs don't need grains, they're carnivores. I think grain free is best for them - and the best way to avoid food allergies too.

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[autumn star]

If I had to go back to kibble, I would only use grain free. Blaze has allergies and I would hate to see him have the itchy's!