Grain-Free vs Grain-Inclusive Dog Food: What the Science Actually Says

Grain-Free vs Grain-Inclusive Dog Food: What the Science Actually Says

Grain-free dog food isn't the healthier choice it's marketed to be, and for many dogs it carries real studied risks. The FDA has investigated a link between grain-free diets high particularly in peas, and a serious heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Grain-inclusive diets, which use whole grains like sorghum and brown rice, provide fiber, steady energy, and nutrients that support digestion and overall health for most dogs. Big Canyon is purposely grain-inclusive for exactly these reasons.

Where the “Grain-Free Is Better” Idea Came From

Grain-free took off because it sounded simple and played off the gluten-free human trend. The story went that grains were cheap filler and a common cause of allergies. The truth is that grains, in the proper proportions, provide important nutrients and fiber, and that true grain allergies in dogs are rare. Most food sensitivities trace back to specific proteins, not grains. Grain-free said they solved a problem most dogs never had, then replaced grains with large amounts of ingredients like peas and starches.

What the FDA, Tufts, and AKC Found

Starting in 2018, the FDA began investigating reports of DCM, a disease that weakens the heart, in breeds not normally prone to it. A common thread was diets heavy particularly in peas and potatoes, many of them grain-free. Researchers at Tufts and experts cited by the AKC have studied the connection ever since, and the pattern has held up: diets built around large amounts of peas and potatoes keep showing up in the DCM cases. That's exactly why Big Canyon doesn't go there.

What Grains Actually Do for Your Dog

  • Fiber for digestion. Whole grains feed a healthy gut and support firmer, more regular stools.
  • Steady energy. Complex carbohydrates release slowly, keeping energy stable instead of spiking.
  • Recipes built on the research. Grain-inclusive formulas avoid large amounts of ingredients that are at the center of the DCM investigation.

Grain-Inclusive Does Not Mean Cheap Filler

Not all grains are created equal, and “filler” really refers to the cheap, low-quality refined grains some brands lean on just to bulk up a bag. Big Canyon's signature multigrain blend is chosen for nutrition, not cost, and includes ingredients like sorghum, brown rice, rolled oats and amaranth, selected by university pet nutrition scientists to support digestion, energy, and overall health. That's the reason we say purposely grain-inclusive: the grains are there because the science supports them.

Who Might Still Need Grain-Free

A small percentage of dogs have a vet-diagnosed grain allergy. If that's your dog, follow your vet's guidance. For most dogs, a high-quality grain-inclusive food is the better-supported choice. If your dog struggles with a poultry sensitivity, our Ocean White Fish recipe pairs a novel protein with the same purposeful grain blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are grains bad for dogs?

No. For most dogs, grains are a healthy source of fiber, energy, and nutrients. True grain allergies are uncommon.

What is DCM and is it linked to grain-free food?

DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) weakens the heart muscle. The FDA has investigated a possible link to grain-free diets high in peas and potatoes.

My dog has a sensitive stomach. Do they need grain-free?

Usually not. A sensitive stomach is more often about the protein source than grains. Many sensitive dogs do well on Ocean White Fish.

[ Try Grain-Inclusive: 60% Off Your First Order, Through August → ]

FDA

AKC

Tufts (Petfoodology, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine)

 

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