Why We Feed Layla Grains

One of the biggest debates in homemade dog food is whether dogs should eat grains.

Some people believe dogs do not need grains at all.

Technically, they are right.

Dogs do not need grains to survive.

But for Layla, we still choose to include them.

We are not trying to make her meals grain-heavy, and we are not saying every dog should eat grains.

For us, grains help make homemade feeding more realistic, affordable, and filling.

Because we are already feeding whole foods, fresh proteins, vegetables, supplements, and healthy fats, we still believe Layla’s meals are a major improvement over kibble.

Even with grains included, we feel much better about feeding homemade food made from real ingredients than relying entirely on heavily processed dog food.

Why Some People Avoid Grains

There are several reasons why some people avoid grains in homemade dog food.

Some people believe grains are unnecessary because dogs can get energy from proteins and fats instead.

Others worry that grains may contribute to:

• Digestive issues
• Inflammation
• Allergies
• Weight gain
• Lower protein intake

There are also people who prefer to feed very low-carb or raw diets.

We understand those concerns.

Every dog is different.

If Layla had issues with grains, we would absolutely reconsider them.

But so far, grains have worked well for her.

Why We Still Include Grains

For us, grains help make homemade feeding more sustainable.

Homemade dog food can get expensive, especially with a large Labrador who is always hungry.

If we removed grains completely, we would need to replace that part of the meal with more meat.

That would increase the cost of every batch significantly.

Instead, we use a smaller amount of healthy grains to help stretch the meal while still keeping most of the batch focused on protein and vegetables.

We usually keep grains around 10 to 20% of the overall batch.

That means Layla is still getting plenty of meat, but the grains help make the meal more filling.

For Layla, that matters.



She is always hungry, and we have found that she seems much more satisfied when her meals include some grains or other healthy carbs.

Why We Still Think Homemade Food Is Better

One reason we are comfortable including grains is because we are still feeding whole foods.

We are choosing ingredients ourselves.

We know exactly what is going into Layla’s bowl.

That is very different from feeding a heavily processed kibble filled with byproducts, fillers, and ingredients we do not recognize.

Even when we include grains, we are still using simple ingredients like:

• Quinoa
• Oatmeal
• Rice
• Sweet potatoes
• Potatoes

To us, a homemade meal with some healthy grains is still far better than relying entirely on processed dog food.

The Grains We Use Most Often

Quinoa

Quinoa is one of our favorite grains to use because it is filling, easy to mix into meals, and contains more protein than many other grains.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another grain we use in smaller amounts.

It is easy to digest, affordable, and helps add variety.

Rice

Rice is something we use more often when Layla has an upset stomach.

White rice can be easier on digestion, while brown rice is sometimes used in normal batches.

Grains Are Not the Only Carbs We Feed

We do not only use grains.

We also rotate other carbs depending on the batch.

That may include:

• Sweet potatoes
• Potatoes
• Beans

Different carbs provide different nutrients.

We think variety matters more than obsessing over one single ingredient.

How to Decide if Grains Are Right for Your Dog

We do not think every dog needs grains.

But we also do not think grains deserve the bad reputation they sometimes get.

If you are deciding whether grains make sense for your dog, think about:

• Your dog’s digestion
• Whether your dog seems hungry after meals
• Your budget
• Your dog’s weight and activity level
• Whether your dog has allergies or sensitivities
• Whether grains seem to make your dog feel worse or better

For us, grains make homemade feeding easier, more affordable, and more sustainable.

When grains may make sense vs when grain-free may make sense

Grains May Make Sense If:

• Your dog always seems hungry after meals
• You want homemade feeding to be more affordable
• Your dog does well with grains and has no sensitivities
• You want to add more variety to meals
• You are looking for filling carb sources like rice, oatmeal, or quinoa

Grain-Free May Make Sense If:

• Your dog seems to have digestive issues with grains
• Your dog has allergies or sensitivities
• Your dog does better with potatoes or other carb sources
• You prefer a lower-carb approach
• Your dog simply does not seem to do well with grains

Our Biggest Advice About Grains

You do not have to feed grains if you do not want to.

But we also do not think grains automatically make a homemade diet bad.



For Layla, healthy grains have helped us keep homemade feeding affordable, practical, and filling while still focusing on whole foods.

Frequently Asked Questions