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Gluten Free Pet Nutrition: Why On Earth Should A Dog Not Eat Wheat?

Gluten Free New Zealand > Gluten Free Pet Food

The food you feed your pet is just as important as that you feed yourself. As a cherished family member pets need healthy and well balances diets. By cutting out wheat gluten from there diet you can help keep you house gluten free, and it certainly will not make any difference to the dog.

As you know when you are cooking for a gluten free person cross contamination can be an issue, so it is important to reduce this as much as possible. Often people overlook there pets as a source of cross contamination, but there is a risk there.

Could your pet be causing you harm?

Do you feed your pet by hand?
Do you fill up there bowl or plate with biscuits?
Do you wash there bowls in the sink with your normal clothes and brushes?

These can all be issues for anyone with the gluten syndrome.

Can Gluten Effect The Health Of My Dog?

Yes gluten can be a problem for your dogs health as well, there are conditions associated with the consumption of gluten including:

eosinophilic gastroenteritis (a chronic disease that disrupts the normal function of the intestines) and it is believed that gluten is the cause.

Just like us some dogs get scratchy and itchy similar to ecezma and dermatitis. And these are only some of the more mild conditions that have been associated with the consumption of gluten.

What are the other options? What should I feed my pet?

You always see the dog food companies talking about balanced nutrition... and its true out pets need adequate nutrients in there bodies to lead a healthy life.

How Much Should I Feed My Gluten Free Dog?

Pet Health is important, now more then ever we are seeing overweight animals due to over feeding. It all depends on how much work your dog is doing, a domestic dog who is a companion around the house requires less food as it is not exercising as much. But a farm dog who is constantly on the go and running around requires more energy to get through day to day tasks.

Someone once told me that if you can feel an animals ribs but not see them, then it is getting the right amount of food... There is nothing worse then seeing malnourished dogs with ribs poking out.

Things A Dogs Diet needs to contain:

Protein:
Fat:
Carbohydrates:
Vitamins & Minerals

Should I put my dog on a Gluten Free Diet?

Well only you and your vet can answer this, if it is for the sake of cross contamination then it could be wise. If it is for the sake of the dogs health then it may pay to consult with the vet next time you are in.

Feeding your pet a gluten free diet will not do any harm, before the days of tinned and packaged food people fed there dogs with scraps, fruit and meat, some hunted for there own food. Check out some ideas for Gluten Free Pet Food.