"No regulatory definition — a marketing term."
Not inherently better. Grain-free foods often replace grains with legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas) and potato — linked to the FDA's ongoing DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) heart disease investigation in dogs. The data is not fully settled, but grain-free is no longer considered a straightforward upgrade. Whole grains in pet food are not harmful to dogs without specific grain allergies.
A real but unresolved concern: often an ongoing FDA/AAFCO research question (like the grain-free/DCM investigation), a common allergen, or a vague-but-not-alarming label claim. -2.5 pts deducted.
Rated C (-2.5 pts) by PetPro-tectors™. Not inherently better. Grain-free foods often replace grains with legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas) and potato — linked to the FDA's ongoing DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) heart disease investigation in dogs. The data is not fully settled, but grain-free is no longer considered a straightforward upgrade. Whole grains in pet food are not harmful to dogs without specific grain allergies.
No regulatory definition — a marketing term.