Grain-free Diets for Dogs: What You Need to Know

如果你检查狗粮上的标签，你会看到一系列的成分，其中包括各种肉类、谷物、水果、蔬菜、维生素和矿物质。人类对无谷饮食非常重视（即使对于未患有腹腔疾病的人），同样，对于无谷饮食是否有益于我们的宠物也值得我们思考。毕竟，对我们有好处，对他们不知道是否也有好处呢？也许你听说过许多宠物主已经将他们的狗粮换成了无谷粮，你在想自己是否也应该这样做。无谷粮是您狗的好选择吗？
If you examine the label on your dog’s food, you’ll likely see a long list of ingredients that includes an assortment of meats, grains, fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. With so much attention on gluten-free diets for humans (even for those who don’t suffer from Celiac disease or gluten intolerance), it’s natural to question whether a similar diet might benefit our pets. After all, if it’s good for us, could it be good for them? Perhaps you’ve heard of pet parents who have switched their dogs to grain-free diets and you’re wondering whether you should do the same. Is a grain-free diet a good option for your dog?

无谷粮的定义Defining Grain-free

无谷粮正如其名称所指：粮食中不包括水稻，玉米，小麦和大麦等谷物。乍看起来，考虑到狗的肉食特质和蛋白质在狗饮食中的重要性，无谷粮应该是一种很好的选择。虽然专注于肉类和无谷，但是仍然要明确狗狗所需全面均衡的营养需求。同时，还应该注意到，最常见的过敏食材主要是蛋白质，如牛肉、鱼和禽类。
A grain-free diet is exactly as its name implies: a diet in which grains—including rice, corn, wheat and barley—are excluded. At first glance, it might seem like a grain-free diet would be a good match for your dog, considering his carnivorous nature and the importance of protein in a dog’s diet. But focusing exclusively on meat and excluding grain isn’t a sure-fire way to establish effective and balanced nutrition for your dog. It is also important to note that food allergies in dogs are most commonly protein sources such as beef, fish and poultry.

您可能会认为无谷狗粮就是完全由肉类或鱼类组成，但您或许会惊奇地发现，非肉类食材经常替代谷物被添加进狗粮中。蔬菜是常见的非肉类添加食材，您可能会在无谷粮的食材列表中发现土豆、西兰花、胡萝卜、甘薯和许多其他蔬菜。
Although you might assume that grain-free dog food consists entirely of meat or fish, you might be surprised to discover that non-meat ingredients are often added in place of grains. Vegetables are a frequent addition, and you might find potatoes, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes or many other vegetables in the ingredients list of a grain-free dog food.

如果您选择无谷粮，请务必仔细阅读标签。许多配方天然具有较低碳水化合物。然而，一些无谷粮配方含有与一般狗粮相同或甚至更高的碳水化合物。在某些情况下，像土豆，通常比狗食中使用的谷物含有更多的碳水化合物。因此，无谷粮和低碳水化合物膳食并不是相同的概念。
If you choose a grain-free diet, be sure to read the labels carefully. Many formulas are naturally lower in carbohydrates. However, some grain-free formulas contain carbohydrate levels that are similar to or even higher than formulas with grains. In some cases, ingredients like potatoes replace the grains and often have more carbohydrates than the common grains used in dog food. As a result, grain-free and low carbohydrate dog foods are not always synonymous with one another.

无论您狗的饮食是否包括谷物，您都必须始终以提供完全均衡的饮食为重点，以满足宠物的所有营养需求。
Whether your dog’s diet includes grain or not, your main concern must always be centered on providing a complete and balanced diet that meets all of the nutritional needs of your pet.

为什么狗需要吃无谷粮？Why Dogs Might Need to Eat a Grain-free Diet

对于对特定谷物敏感或过敏的狗，不含特定谷物的狗粮是改善其整体健康和幸福的积极措施。但为了确定过敏源，您需要与兽医密切合作，以诊断具体的过敏成分。没有兽医监督，而从狗的饮食中去除某些成分就可能导致不平衡饮食，不能为您的狗提供所需全面营养。
For dogs that are sensitive or allergic to a specific grain, a diet that is devoid of that particular grain can be a positive step toward improving their overall health and well-being. But in order to determine an allergy or sensitivity, you’ll need to work closely with your veterinary dermatologist to diagnose the troublesome ingredient. Simply removing ingredients from your dog’s diet without veterinary supervision could result in an unbalanced diet that doesn’t provide your dog with everything he needs to thrive.

最重要的是，您需要向兽医询问狗的饮食习惯，并基于它的个体情况和需求做最有益处的选择。由于每个狗的年龄、活动量、品种特征和特色需求各有不同，所以不能以偏概全。因此，无谷粮是患有与谷物相关的过敏或敏感症狗的完美选择，但可能不适合需要快速增重的狗。再次，您的兽医能够帮助您做出最适合的决定，为您的狗选择一种可以提供均衡营养的粮食。
Most importantly, you’ll want to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s diet and discuss the options that will provide the most benefits for your dog’s individual needs and circumstances. Due to the innumerable variables in age, activity level, breed characteristics and special needs that exist among dogs, a one-size-fits-all diet isn’t feasible. So while a grain-free diet might be the perfect choice for a dog that suffers from food-related allergies or sensitivities, a grain-free diet might not suit a dog in different circumstances—such as a dog that needs to gain weight quickly. Again, your veterinarian will be able to help you make the appropriate determinations and select a diet that will provide balanced nutrition for your dog’s specific needs.