Is grain-free actually better?

The short answer

For most dogs and cats, grain-free food is not nutritionally superior to food that contains grains. Grains like rice, oats, and barley are well-tolerated by the vast majority of pets and provide valuable nutrients including fiber, B vitamins, and sustained energy.

The "grain-free is better" idea took off around 2015, fueled by human diet trends and marketing. But veterinary nutritionists have been clear: true grain allergies in dogs are estimated at fewer than 1% of all food-related sensitivities. For cats, the number is similarly low.

What happened with the FDA and DCM

In 2018, the FDA began investigating a potential link between certain grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition. The investigation focused on diets high in legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas) and potatoes, ingredients commonly used to replace grains.

It's important to note: the FDA has not concluded that grain-free diets cause DCM. The science is still evolving. But many veterinary nutritionists now advise that unless there's a specific medical reason, choosing a grain-inclusive diet is a reasonable precaution.

So should you avoid grain-free?

Not necessarily. Here's when it actually makes sense.

When grain-free might make sense

There are a small number of situations where a grain-free diet could be appropriate:

• Confirmed grain sensitivity: diagnosed through a veterinary elimination trial (not a mail-in test). This is genuinely rare.
• Specific veterinary recommendation: some therapeutic diets happen to be grain-free for formulation reasons, not because grains are harmful.

In both cases, the decision should come from your vet, not from a pet store employee or a brand's marketing page.

What to look for instead

Rather than focusing on whether a food is grain-free, focus on markers that actually predict quality:

• AAFCO complete & balanced statement: confirms the food meets minimum nutritional requirements for your pet's life stage.
• Manufacturer feeding trials or formulation: brands that conduct feeding trials provide an extra layer of validation.
• WSAVA-aligned manufacturer practices: employing board-certified veterinary nutritionists, owning manufacturing facilities, and publishing nutrient data.
• Ingredient fit for your pet: matching the protein source, fat level, and fiber content to your pet's specific needs and tolerances.

The bottom line

Grain-free is a marketing category, not a nutrition category. Grains aren't "filler"; they're functional ingredients that most pets digest easily. If your pet is thriving on a grain-inclusive food, there's no evidence-based reason to switch.

If you suspect your pet has a food sensitivity, the most reliable path is working with your vet on a structured investigation, not eliminating an entire ingredient group based on a label trend.

Based on published veterinary nutrition research (WSAVA, AAFCO, FDA)

KibbleLab Explains articles are educational, and are not veterinary advice. Before starting an elimination diet, a weight plan, or any major diet change, talk to your veterinarian.