Should you give your dog gluten-free food? How to tell if pup has an intolerance.

Originally designed for those with celiac disease or sensitivities, the gluten-free diet has become more of a trend than a medical intervention in recent years. About 20% of Americans follow a gluten-free diet, yet medical conditions only impact about 6% of the population. 

Gluten is sometimes perceived as inherently unhealthy, even though gluten-containing whole grains are a good source of fiber, B vitamins and minerals, NYU Langone reports. 

But what about man’s best friend? Do gluten products make the list of foods that are unsafe for dogs?

Can dogs eat gluten? 

Gluten is typically harmless for dogs, but just like humans, some dogs may experience discomfort if they have a sensitivity. Celiac disease is rare but possible and is inherited in dogs – less than 1% have it, according to Purina.

Gluten is found in grains like wheat, barley and rye, which are popular ingredients in many pet foods because it is a low-cost way to add more protein, says Claudio Salem, the veterinary council at gluten-free dog food company PawFoods.

Talk to your vet before you put your dog on a grain-free diet. In 2018, the FDA announced it was investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating grain-free diets. In general, typical regulated dog food has everything your pup needs for a nutritional diet, experts previously told USA TODAY.

How to tell if your dog has a gluten sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity can present in dogs through persistently soft stool, diarrhea with mucus and lethargy, Salem says. Salem recommends you talk to your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has a gluten sensitivity. They may recommend switching your dog to a gluten-free brand of food. 

“Because we do feed our dogs every day with the same food, they have no time to recover so if that has gluten, they will be receiving gluten every day, twice a day and the inflammation in the gut will just grow.” Salem said.

Over time, dogs who have gluten sensitivity may be unable to absorb important nutrients because of how their body responds to gluten. When the digestive system perceives harm, it'll produce immunoglobulins as antibodies, which can cause intestine inflammation, Salem says.

“So in the long term, what may happen is that you are not absorbing the nutrients that you actually need and not just the gluten itself,” Salem says.

Are some breeds more likely to be sensitive to gluten? 

Some research suggests Irish Setters may be predisposed to suffer from an inherited intolerance called “Gluten-sensitive enteropathy.” However, Salem contends there is not enough data to know which breeds are more susceptible.

Can my dog eat that?:These human foods are safe (and toxic) for pets

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