Choosing the cereals to give to your dog is not without difficulty, given the diversity of cereal products, especially since cereals have not been on the rise lately. However, given in appropriate quantities or in certain diarrhea-type situations, they can also bring many benefits to our animals.

So should we prefer a whole grain like corn? Or turn to a high-protein food like oats? So many questions that canine owners ask themselves. Cereals can constitute at most 15% of the daily ration of our 4-legged friends. These Gramineae, Poaceae, or grasses have a lower nutritional value than that of meat but represent an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts, including iron. Their rich vegetable fibre composition is beneficial for digestive health.

Discover the five best grains to feed your dog, as well as an ideal natural product for canines on a grain-free diet.

Which Cereal for My Dog?

Here is a short list of grains that are best suited to the body of dogs.

Barley

Barley is a straw grain mainly used in animal feed and in the manufacture of beer and whisky. It is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Poaceae family and native to the Middle East.

Barley has an interesting content of fibre and B vitamins. It also contains phosphorus, zinc, selenium, magnesium, copper and iron. Traditionally, barley flour was used as a poultice on irritated skin for its soothing properties. It is also credited with many other benefits.

Barley:

• Fights kidney problems in both humans and dogs
• Regulates blood sugar levels thanks to its composition of essential amino acids
• Promotes healthy intestinal flora

It is recommended to give it to dogs mainly during the summer season, as it has cooling properties.

Barley is the most alkaline cereal. It is very often found as an ingredient in dog food.

Corn

Also called Indian wheat, Barbary wheat or Turkish wheat, corn is the most widely grown cereal in the world for its starch-rich seeds.It also contains many other nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids), antioxidants, B vitamins and fibres favourable to the proper functioning of the digestive sphere.

Delicious and very appetizing, corn can be eaten in different forms by your 4-legged friend. Part-cooked and flaked, soaked in whey, raw (when the grains are still soft and milky), but it’s mostly reduced — with a vegetable peeler — and combined with a drizzle of vegetable oil, milk and salt that dogs are bitten.

Corn contributes to the good health of the teeth; it improves the quality of the hair and reinforces the fertility of our canine companions. It’s a whole grain that lowers the risk of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even cancer. Prefer the organic version.

Rye

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a variety of straw cereal. It provides vitamins, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, fibres and antioxidants essential to the protection of the dog’s organism.

Its high rate of fluorine contributes to the resistance of claws and teeth. Indeed, fluoride is an element that helps mineralize the enamel, prevent cavities and strengthen the oral health of your pet. It is recommended to offer rye to Fido in the form of puffed seed pancakes. This food is perfect for dogs prone to obesity.

Rice

Flagship food of Asian cuisine, rice is one of the cereals most present in the human diet. Rich in thiamin, niacin and iron, it also has a healthy dose of carbohydrates, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and protein.

How to give rise to your dog? You can mix it with a little olive or corn oil and a raw egg. The mixture of rice + wheat bran is also a good idea to fill up on vitamins and fibre.

Dogs with diarrhea can consume rice cooking juice as it has anti-diarrheal benefits. Always prefer brown rice. There are also many kibbles or dog treats made from rice, such as brown rice treats for easier digestion, but also oatmeal to fill up with vitamin A, iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Oats

In traditional medicine, oats are well known for their properties, calming the nervous system, cleansing the intestines and fortifying the bone structure.

Consumable in porridge, in flakes or in the form of milk, it has the highest protein level in cereals and offers a significant amount of iron.

Flaxseed (linen)

Another canine food is flax seeds. Flaxseeds have a high content of minerals, fibres and omega-3 essential fatty acids. They are tonic and warm during the winter season.

Flaxseed oil, obtained from the seeds of the plant, can be used both internally and externally. It improves the growth and beauty of the coat.

For perfect cooking, soak your flax seeds for a period of more or less 24 hours. Then get rid of the gelatinous water that results, and cook the seeds for about thirty minutes, stirring.

Flax is not a cereal, although its use is close to it. It can, however, be added to grain products — such as rice — for a stronger synergistic action. Flax seeds promote weight loss in both humans and dogs.

My Dog ​​Is On A Grain-Free Diet; What Should I Do?

A dog may be on a grain-free diet due to gluten intolerance or allergy. In this case, turn to your veterinarian for advice on what to do. He will guide you in particular on the most suitable diet for your animal, but also on the brands that he can tolerate. Brands have indeed specialized in grain-free products, but you can also adapt your daily rations to your dog’s sensitivities. Same for the sweets.

Here you can count on hemp, which has soothing properties, calms stress and reduces anxiety. The plant also acts on the immune system by strengthening it; it relieves discomfort and improves digestion. The valerian in the sticks promotes restful sleep and fights against insomnia and sleep disorders.

Chamomile is finally the plant of happiness. It also fights stress and anxiety while relieving depression. Vitamin E and Omega 3 contribute to the proper functioning of the body. They cleanse the skin of dogs, maintain the hair and make it shinier, and support the health of the eyes.

Visit the ADNOOR website for the best  white rice, golden Sella basmati rice, long-grain rice, Super Kernel Basmati Rice, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. We take pride in saying that we provide the best basmati rice in Montreal and have been the importers, exporters, wholesalers, distributors, and co-packers of various nuts and grains in Canada for the last 25 years. We aim to provide our customers with quality products so they keep trusting us. So without wasting time, visit our website and order what you need.