Grain is Not Automatically Bad

By Dr Cathy Alinovi, DVM.

Grains aren’t automatically harmful.

Really, not always. And there’s quite a bit of controversy about grain vs grain-free – I’m not going down the rabbit hole that says grain prevents heart disease – because it does not. Here we’re looking at the effects of grain on the body.

If you’ve read my earlier post about rice (“My Beef with Rice”), you might assume I’m completely anti-grain. That’s not quite accurate.

In that discussion, my point was specific: when a dog is unwell—especially if the cause is unclear, or with conditions like pancreatitis—the worst food choice is a starchy carb such as rice. The reason is simple. The pancreas is heavily involved in carbohydrate digestion. No matter what you’ve been told over the years, one of its main roles is breaking down carbs. That’s why loading a struggling pancreas with rice is the opposite of helpful.

But the focus here isn’t rice—it’s grain in general. And the truth is, grains can sometimes serve a purpose. When I studied Traditional Chinese Food Therapy, I learned that grains actually have beneficial applications when used thoughtfully, often limited to about 20% of the diet.

So, let’s look at some practical examples. Some dogs require extra fiber. Without it, their stools may be too hard, while in others, stools are too loose unless fiber is added. In certain cases, clients have told me that a low-quality commercial kibble is the only thing preventing their dog’s diarrhea – I don’t buy that but I hear what they are saying and I scrutinize the ingredients in that kibble. My approach in those scenarios is to re-create the effect with whole foods, not processed fillers. If that kibble was mostly rice and salmon, then I’ll design a fresh version with salmon acceptable for human consumption and controlled amounts of rice, tailored to what that individual dog needs. The result? The dog gets off kibble, the amount of grain is small and intentional, and bowel movements stay stable.

Now, let’s think about why grain is so common in pet food. Look at your own dinner plate—grain often plays the same role for us. It’s cheap, fills you up, and goes great with sauce, but aside from calories, it offers very little nutrition. Pet food companies take advantage of these qualities. That’s why so many kibbles are packed with grain—often 70–75% of the formula. That’s filler, not fuel, and the result is oversized stools because the body doesn’t actually need or use that much grain.

There are also situations where grain should absolutely be avoided. Dogs with “yeasty,” greasy, or moist skin problems often do worse on diets heavy in grain. Whether it’s yeast alone or yeast combined with bacteria, that gooey skin is fueled by carbohydrates.

So, the big picture is this: grain is not inherently evil, but it’s also not a nutritional powerhouse. Used carefully, at the right time and in the right amount, it can play a role. Overused, it becomes a problem. Despite what you may have heard me say before, I don’t believe all grain is bad.

Dr. Cathy Alinovi, natural pet wellness and holistic veterinarian. Learn more about how you may be overpaying for “healthcare“ and over medicating your dog at www.healthypawsibilities.com.