Gluten-free, grain-free and corn-free diets

Gluten-free diets

In recent years, there has been an explosion of products exempt of corn gluten (the concentrated protein of the grain that remains when all of the starch has been removed) on the market resulting from the fact that numerous humans seem to be suffering from celiac disease in which corn gluten is blamed as being responsible for.

Some owners and breeders make the connection between the human illness and that of pets suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. They believe that the corn gluten is, as in humans, responsible for their condition.

However, celiac disease has not been reported in cats. In dogs, the disease is rare and reported mainly in the Irish setter. Furthermore, affected animals react to the protein in wheat, rye and barley rather than to the corn gluten. 

Thus, by refusing to feed their pets with diets containing corn gluten, people are depriving their companions of this excellent source of highly digestible protein (60% protein).

Grain-free diets

Another myth being circulated on a large scale is that the grains contained in pet foods cause dietary allergies and increase the risk of animals developing diabetes, which is completely false! 

In fact, beef, chicken, eggs and dairy products are much more frequently associated with dietary allergies in dogs when compared to cereal. As for diabetes, no proof exists to support the claim that grains increase the risk.

Furthermore, there is no study indicating that grain-free diets are superior or healthier than diets containing grains. While some grain-free diets are very nutritious, others are less. For example, the nutritional value of potatoes and tapioca, which are often used to replace grains, is inferior to that of grains. Also, not only do potatoes and tapioca contain less protein than corn and oats but they also contain more sugar.

Corn-free diets

Many people mistakenly think that the corn contained in pet foods only serves as a filler with little nutritive value, causes allergies and is not easily digestable. 

In reality, corn provides a source of readily available complex carbohydrates and is also an excellent source of linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid very important for the health of the skin), fiber and essential amino acids. 

As previously mentioned, dietary allergies associated with corn are quite rare. When dogs react to one or more ingredients contained in the food, they react more often to beef, to dairy products, to wheat, to lamb, to chicken eggs, to chicken and to soybeans. As for cats, they react much more frequently to beef, chicken, eggs, dairy products and fish.

Real dietary allergies are estimated to be responsible for only 1% of skin problems. When the diet of an animal suffering from a food sensitivity is switched to another and the condition of the animal improves, it is usually due to the fact that the new food is more digestible or that it contains more fiber or fat, rather than to a true dietary allergy.

3 myths and facts about corn in the food

Myth #1: Corn acts only as a filler.

Fact : Corn is an excellent source of nutrients.

Corn is an essential fatty acids source that promote a healthy skin and shiny coat.

It also provides Beta-carotene, vitamin E, lutein and antioxydants.

Furthermore, the carbohydrates that are in the corn are easy to digest and so they represent an energy source that is easily accesssible.

Corn gluten is the corn protein. This plant protein, which is beneficial for the development of muscles and other animal tissus among other things, effectively complements the animal proteins provided by the meat contained in the foods.

Even though there seems to be many human beings that are gluten intolerant, there are no scientific data proving that companion animals suffer from gluten intolerance as well.

 

Myth #2 : Corn causes allergies in domestic animals.

Fact : Studies show that corn is less associated with allergic reactions in domestic animals than other ingredients do.

Indeed, corn comes in tenth place on the list of food allergies in the dog after beef, chicken, eggs, milk products, wheat, soja, lamb, pork and fish. Cats, on the other hand, react more often to beef, chicken, eggs, dairy products and fish.

 

Myth #3 : Corn is hard to digest.

Fact : Corn in pet foods is easy to digest.

Contrary to popular belief, corn is not added whole and raw in pet foods.

In fact, corn is baked before being incorporated in the foods and its shell is removed so that only its nutritive elements are found in the food. Consequently, corn becomes easily digestible.