Grain-free pet food has been everywhere the last few years. Bags flying off shelves. Ads claiming it’s “healthier.” Pet parents swapping their dog’s kibble overnight because someone online said grains were “bad.” It became a trend so fast that many people assumed grain-free automatically meant better.

But here’s the thing: the grain debate is a lot more complicated than it looks.

Some pet parents swear grains cause allergies. Others say grain-free dog food finally solved their dog’s tummy troubles. And then there’s the rest of us just trying to figure out which bowl of kibble won’t cause itchy skin, ear infections, or digestive drama.

What Exactly Are Grains in Pet Food?

Grains aren’t the bad guys—they’re just simple plant seeds like rice, oats, barley, corn, and wheat, the same ones humans eat every day. And yes, they show up in dog and cat food for a reason.

Here’s what grains bring to the bowl:

• Nutrition: Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants.

• Fiber: Smooth digestion and healthier poops.

• Energy: Long-lasting fuel for zoomies, playtime, and everyday adventures.

And here’s the key point: grains are rarely the problem. Most pets digest them just fine, even if you’re feeding grain-free dog food or grain-free cat food by choice. The real allergy culprits are usually proteins, not grains.

So no—grains aren’t villains. They’re simply another nutritious ingredient many pets do great on.

The Biggest Myth: “Grains Are the #1 Cause of Pet Allergies”

Somehow the idea spread that itchy skin or tummy trouble means your pet needs grain-free dog food or grain-free cat food. But science says otherwise.

The truth? Most food allergies in pets come from proteins, not grains.

The real culprits are usually:

• Beef

• Chicken

• Dairy

• Eggs

• Lamb

Grains like rice, oats, barley, and wheat rarely make the allergy list.

So while grain-free diets got popular fast, grains themselves aren’t usually the problem, proteins are. Grains just ended up taking the blame.

Do Grains Actually Cause Allergies?

Short answer? Yes — but only in rare cases. Most dogs and cats can digest grains like rice, oats, barley, and wheat without any issues.

If your pet does react, the signs might look like:

• Itchy skin

• Recurring ear infections

• Digestive upset

But here’s the key: these symptoms are far more often caused by protein allergies than grains. So before you switch to grain-free dog food or grain-free cat food, it’s worth ruling out the far more common triggers first.

In most pets, grains aren’t the problem, they’re perfectly safe, nutritious, and well-tolerated.

Are Grain-Free Diets Healthier?

Not necessarily. Grain-free dog food and grain-free cat food sound healthier, but that doesn’t automatically make them better.

Grain-free diets can be helpful only if your pet has a confirmed grain sensitivity (which is rare). Otherwise, they may:

• Be higher in fat or calories

• Use ingredients that aren’t always more digestible

• Miss out on the nutrients whole grains naturally provide

And yes—some grain-free formulas have even been linked to heart concerns (DCM) in dogs, which is why vets recommend using them with caution.

Bottom line: grain-free isn’t automatically healthier. It’s just one option, and not always the best one.

Why Most Pets Do Just Fine with Grains

Here’s the good news: most dogs and cats can eat grains without any issues at all. In fact, many pets thrive on grain-inclusive diets.

Grains offer useful benefits like:

• Steady energy for active pets

• Fiber for healthy digestion

• Vitamins and minerals you won’t get from some grain-free dog food or grain-free cat food

Many vets actually prefer grain-inclusive diets unless a pet has a confirmed allergy (which, again, is rare). For the average pet, grain-friendly food is perfectly safe, nutritious, and easy to digest.

So don’t feel pressured to go grain-free—it’s not a must for most pets.

How to Tell If Your Pet Has a Food Allergy

Before switching to grain-free dog food or grain-free cat food, it’s important to know whether your pet even has a food allergy in the first place. Most symptoms look the same no matter the cause, which is why guessing can be misleading.

Common signs include:

• Itchy skin or constant scratching

• Chronic ear infections

• Digestive issues like vomiting or soft stool

• Red, irritated paws or face rubbing

But remember—these symptoms don’t automatically mean grains are the problem. In most cases, proteins are the real trigger.

If you’re concerned, talk to your vet before making a big diet switch. It saves time, money, and a lot of confusion.

Working With Your Vet to Find the Right Diet

Before jumping to grain-free dog food or grain-free cat food, your vet can help figure out what your pet actually needs. Food allergies can be tricky, and guessing often leads to more frustration (and more itchy skin).

Here’s how your vet helps:

• Elimination diets: The gold standard for finding true food allergies.

• Allergy testing guidance: What works, what doesn’t, and what’s worth trying.

• Safe food transitions: So your pet’s stomach doesn’t stage a rebellion.

Your vet can also tell you whether a grain-free diet is necessary—or if a balanced, grain-inclusive food is the better (and easier) option.

Working together saves time, money, and keeps your pet feeling their best.

The Bottom Line: Should You Choose Grain-Free or Grain-Friendly?

Here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some pets do great on grain-free dog food or grain-free cat food, but most pets do perfectly well—often better—on balanced, grain-inclusive diets.

A simple way to choose:

• Go grain-free only if your vet confirms a grain sensitivity or recommends it for a specific health reason.

• Stick with grains if your pet has no proven allergy… which is the case for the majority of dogs and cats.

At the end of the day, the best diet is the one that keeps your pet healthy, comfortable, and thriving—not the one that’s trending.

Visit Dr. Jeff Werber’s Instagram account (@werbs_dvm) to view and submit questions and answers on weekly AMAs – or call and leave a voicemail at 424-835-0576. Your call will be returned posthaste. For emergencies, download Dr. Jeff Werber’s app Airvet, a video-chat option for veterinary needs at any time of day or night!