Can Dogs Eat Wheat?

With kibble that advertises itself as being grain or wheat-free, you might be wondering as a pet parent if wheat is safe for your furry friend to eat. To help put your mind at ease, we have the answers you’re looking for.

While we can help with dog training here at Sit Means Sit, your dog behaves the best when they feel their best.

Why Do Manufacturers Include Wheat in Pet Food?

It can be overwhelming figuring out the best food and what food is bad for dogs, especially when ingredient lists vary so much. When you stroll down the pet food aisle, some dog foods are made with grains and animal-sourced proteins, while others advertise grain-free diets. Wheat is a type of grain found in dog foods, as well as other grains like barley, oats, and rice.

When producing good food, most manufacturers want to create food based on the average dog’s specific nutritional needs. If they are making a canine diet with wheat, it is usually hard red winter wheat. Other types of grain are not necessarily bad for dogs, but this ingredient is the most common and inexpensive type of wheat.

Dog food does not contain other types of wheat such as durum, soft wheat, and white winter wheat. While pet owners might not be feeding dogs these kinds of wheat, they are using them to make bread and pasta.

Is Wheat Safe for Dogs?

If your pup doesn’t have a wheat allergy, then, yes, wheat is safe for them to consume. However, wheat allergies develop in dogs after continued exposure over time to wheat. This means that if their food contains wheat, it may not cause them issues in the beginning, but they might end up developing an allergy later on down the road.

What Ingredients Should Be in Your Dog’s Food For Best Canine Health and a Nutritionally Balanced Diet?

If your pup has no gluten allergies, wheat is a good source for use in dog food. It has carbohydrates and protein, allowing it to blend well with other ingredients, forming a complete and balanced dog food with nutritional value.

A balanced dog food requires nutrients like protein, fiber, essential amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Hard red winter wheat gluten is a great source of protein, fiber, and minerals. For dogs without a wheat intolerance, these nutrients aid in metabolism and maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Veterinary medicine and research has shown us that rains provide protein and fatty acids, which is important for cognition, heart health, and immune functioning, as well as promoting healthy skin and fur. The carbohydrates in wheat give your dog energy, while the fiber promotes healthy digestion.

Is All Wheat the Same?

A common misconception is that all grains can cause these types of allergies, but that’s actually not the case. The top five most popular ingredients that a dog can develop allergies to are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, and eggs.

How Do I Decide Between Dogs Foods with Wheat or Grain-Free Food?

• Dog food labels should tell you the recommended levels of protein, fat, and essential nutrients in the appropriate ratios and concentrations for a dog’s specific nutritional needs. Most dogs eat wheat, but there are balanced alternatives for dogs who are grain-free.
• Look for foods that are formulated as complete and balanced and meet Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines.

What Are The Downsides to Feeding My Dog Wheat?

• Some dogs might have a wheat intolerance. While wheat usually is not bad for dogs, the protein in wheat (gluten) may cause these food sensitivities or allergies.
• Consider not only which ingredients may have been omitted, but also what manufacturers are adding in the place of wheat in grain-free food. Make sure it contains quality ingredients that balance other non-grain ingredients.

How Can Dog Owners Tell If Their Dog Has A Wheat Allergy?

If your canine companion is eating a food whose formula contains wheat, and they’re perfectly healthy, then you can breathe easy knowing that wheat is currently safe for them. However, if Fido frequently experiences:

• Ear infections
• Skin irritation
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

You’ll then want to schedule a visit with their vet because you might have a wheat issue on your hands.

Choosing The Right Pet Food For Your Dog

• Gluten is present not only in wheat, but also in other grains like couscous, bran, flour, semolina, farro, and spelt. Pet owners worried about a gluten or wheat intolerance should watch what their dogs eat very closely. Avoid all sources of gluten so you can ascertain whether it’s causing your dog’s problem. If you have been advised by your vet to conduct a food trial, follow their advice and choose a food based on a “novel” protein and carbohydrate.

Grain-Free Food: A Waste Of Money?

• A grain-free diet is not a waste of money for dogs who do well on grain-free diets or cannot eat wheat for any of the above reasons. If your dog prefers a grain-free and you can afford it, then go for it! However, if your dog is doing fine on a non-grain-free food, and your wallet is hurting, then don’t overthink it and buy the grains!
• A grain-free diet might be worth trying if your dog is showing signs of allergies, however, you should also try switching to non-beef or non-chicken foods. If your dog has signs of food intolerance such as repeated diarrhea, a food change is a good idea. But getting them checked out by a veterinarian is an even better idea!

Does My Dog Need Wheat?

Wheat is actually not an important part of your pup’s diet, and they can live happily and healthily without it. It would be best if you weren’t feeding your pup bread as a regular treat, but a bite here and there won’t do them any harm.

In short, dog food formulas that don’t contain wheat are just as healthy for your canine to eat. So, if you want to avoid the stress completely, you can always switch your canine over to wheat-free food before they start showing any symptoms of irritation.