Several years ago, I wrote a post about grain/gluten free pet products.
It is still a challenge to find fully grain-free pet foods, since most want to include oatmeal (and they’re never Purity Protocol that I’ve seen), or tell you, “no wheat, corn, or soy,” but then include barley or barley malt. Or hydrolyzed wheat protein.
Some of these brands will still label their products gluten free!
So always check carefully, because too many pet product manufacturers clearly have no idea what they’re doing, nor do they have any idea what gluten is or where you find it.
My partner and I are currently feeding our Yorkshire Terrier puppy Pure Balance from Wal-Mart. It is grain free — and from everything I’ve looked at, they mean it. Read a review here.
Has anyone tried this shampoo/conditioner for their pet? If so, what did you think? Which scent did you try?
If you’re looking for pet food recall information, and you’re in the US (or purchasing from the US), go here.
The latest culprits for my Don’t Recommend list (updated 19 May 2021):
Whimzees Natural Dental Chews (for dogs) – Their bag says, “All natural ingredients – no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Gluten-free and grain free.” Their ingredient list (same bag!) includes malt extract with no specified source. Unless I find out otherwise, I’m going to assume that this is barley malt extract, as you rarely see any other kind of malt extract. Therefore their claims of being gluten & grain free are both invalid. I e-mailed the company on 19 May 2021.
Monat Dog Shampoo – website claims gluten free and then in the ingredients on the same page includes hydrolyzed wheat protein.
Read about hydrolyzed wheat here.
An excerpt (this is from the Gluten-Free Watchdog, for the record):
OPINION: FDA considers properly manufactured wheat starch to be free of gluten protein and an ingredient processed to remove gluten. Regardless, because of the current limitations associated with testing wheat starch for gluten, it is the opinion of Gluten Free Watchdog that products containing wheat starch are best avoided by individuals with celiac disease.
I don’t know about other Celiacs, but I don’t want wheat or gluten of any kind in my house. I don’t want my pet eating it. I don’t want my pet being bathed in it.
They make non-pet products too, and I’d be leery of all of their items.
