Dogs have a simple stomach similar in some ways to humans but with some huge differences in chemistry. A dog’s digestive system has a highly acidic environment for breaking down proteins. Although dogs are carnivores, they are not solely dependent on protein for their food, but it is the most important part of their diet.
A dog that is fed a high grain based dog food is more likely to have health issues and be a problematic dog. Dog’s will dig through garbage and tear up a house in search of protein if the diet lacks it. Dogs also do not have the enzyme in their saliva like we do which begins to break down starchy foods in the mouth. The result is that the starch sticks to their teeth and causes tartar and plaque build up which, if fed too much grain, could lead to gum disease. Also, the digestive tract of a dog is short, and is not designed for processing large quantities of grain, it will just pass through the dog’s system, leaving you with “petrified logs” on your lawn. But, because of the higher acid levels in the dogs stomach, it is able to break down and utilize some grain.
I have chosen to include a percentage of whole grains in my dogs diet. My dog is very healthy and there have been no signs of allergies or any other problems from the low percentage of whole grains he is given. You’ve got to find a healthy balance that works for your dog and for you. Much of my reason for keeping the whole grains in the recipe is cost. Meat is the most expensive ingredient. If I felt whole grains was a detriment to my dog’s health, I would change it.
