The Truth About Grains in Pet Food: What You Should Know

Think your pet’s food is all meat and veggies? Think again! Find out what fillers might really be hiding in their kibble.  When you pour that cup of kibble into your pet’s bowl, you’re likely picturing a meal packed with wholesome ingredients. But the truth is, many commercial pet foods rely on cheap pet food fillers like corn, soy, and wheat to cut costs. These ingredients pad the product without offering real nutritional value, leaving pets with empty calories and hidden health risks. At Nature’s Diet Pet, we believe every ingredient should earn its place—which is why our raw pet food diet and whole-food pet nutrition focus on only the best for your furry family member.

Give your pet the best in every bite – no fillers or artificial ingredients

What Are Fillers—And Why Are They Everywhere?

Pet food fillers are low-cost additives used to bulk up kibble while keeping production cheap. Though they add calories, they lack bioavailable nutrients like high-quality proteins and essential fats. Check your pet food labels: if corn, soy, or wheat are listed in the top three ingredients, your pet’s meal is likely more filler than fuel.

The Usual Suspects: Breaking Down Common Fillers

1. Corn in Pet Food: More Than Just “Empty Calories”

Corn is a cheap carbohydrate filler found in many kibbles, often disguised as “ground corn” or “corn gluten meal.” While it’s marketed as an energy source, corn is notoriously difficult for pets to digest due to its tough cellulose structure. Dogs and cats lack the enzymes to break it down efficiently, leading to:

• Blood sugar risks: Corn’s high glycemic index can exacerbate conditions like diabetes over time.

• Allergic reactions: Corn is a top allergen, linked to itchy skin, ear infections, and chronic inflammation.

• Nutrient blocking: Corn binds to minerals like zinc and iron, reducing their absorption.

Nature’s Fix: Instead of filler-heavy kibble, try incorporating high-quality protein sources like Simply Raw® Beef or Turkey to promote better nutrition for your pet

2. Soy in Pet Food: A Hormonal and Digestive Nightmare

Soy is a plant-based protein often added to kibble to inflate protein percentages cheaply. However, soy contains:

• Phytoestrogens: Compounds that mimic estrogen, potentially disrupting thyroid and reproductive health.

• Anti-nutrients: Trypsin inhibitors block digestive enzymes, causing gas, bloating, and malnutrition.

• GMO risks: Over 90% of soy is genetically modified, raising concerns about long-term toxicity.

Nature’s Fix: Skip soy with Ultimate Raw® For Cats or Raw Mix®, which prioritize animal-based proteins like chicken and salmon for bioavailable nutrients pets can actually use.

3. Wheat in Pet Food: Gluten’s Hidden Toll

Wheat is a gluten-rich filler that offers minimal nutritional value. Its downsides include:

• Chronic inflammation: Gluten triggers an immune response in sensitive pets, worsening arthritis and skin issues.

• Digestive damage: Wheat can cause gut irritation or digestive issues in pets with sensitivities or allergies.

• Empty calories: Wheat lacks the amino acids (like taurine) that cats, especially, need to thrive.

Nature’s Fix: Opt for grain-free pet food like Simply Raw® All Flavors Mix, paired with Digestion Bone Broth to soothe and heal the gut.

Questions like “Is corn bad for dogs?” or “Why are fillers used in pet food?” dominate pet owner forums. The answer is simple: fillers prioritize profit over health.

But Wait—Aren’t Grains Sometimes Okay?

While whole grains like oats can offer fiber, most kibble uses processed scraps like corn gluten meal. Nature’s Diet Pet skips cheap fillers entirely, using pumpkin for pets (like our Pumpkin Powder) and flaxseed for pets for gentle, grain-free fiber.

The Hidden Costs of Fillers: How Cheap Ingredients Harm Pets

Fillers aren’t just harmless “bulk”—they sabotage your pet’s health in ways that often go unnoticed until problems arise. Here’s what happens when fillers dominate their diet:

1. Pet Obesity: A Growing Concern

Fillers like corn and wheat are loaded with empty calories from carbohydrates, which pets burn quickly. This leaves them hungry again soon after eating, prompting overeating. Over time, this cycle leads to:

• Weight gain: Excess carbs convert to fat, especially in sedentary pets.

• Metabolic disorders: Obesity increases diabetes risk in dogs and cats.

• Joint stress: Extra pounds strain hips and joints, worsening conditions like arthritis.

Nature’s Fix: Swap carb-heavy kibble for Simply Raw® Turkey or Chicken, which use high-quality protein for pets as the main energy source. Protein keeps pets fuller longer, reducing begging and overeating.

2. Pet Allergies: When the Immune System Fights Back

Fillers like corn, soy, and wheat are top allergens for pets. Their immune systems often mistake these ingredients for threats, triggering:

• Itchy skin and hot spots: Chronic scratching from corn or wheat allergies.

• Ear infections: Yeast thrives on sugary filler byproducts in the bloodstream.

• Digestive issues: Vomiting, diarrhea, or gas from soy-induced inflammation.

Did you know? Many pets misdiagnosed with “seasonal allergies” actually react to filler-packed diets.

Nature’s Fix: Soothe allergies with grain-free pet food like Ultimate Raw® For Cats or Raw Mix®, paired with Skin & Coat Bone Broth. Its collagen and omega-3s reduce inflammation and repair irritated skin.

3. Nutrient Deficiencies in Pets: Starving on a Full Stomach

Fillers crowd out space for essential nutrients, leaving pets malnourished even if they finish every bite. Common deficiencies include:

• Protein: Vital for muscle maintenance, but fillers dilute meat content.

• Omega-3s: Missing in corn/wheat-based diets, leading to dry coats and weak immunity.

• Vitamins A & E: Critical for vision and skin health, scarce in filler-heavy foods.

Science note: Pets, especially cats, have digestive systems designed for animal-based proteins, making it harder for them to fully benefit from plant-based fillers.

Nature’s Fix: Restore balance with bioavailable nutrients from Simply Raw® Beef (rich in iron and B vitamins) and Norwegian Salmon Oil (packed with omega-3s).

The Domino Effect of Fillers

These issues rarely occur in isolation. For example:

1. Filler-induced allergies → chronic itching → skin infections → antibiotic overuse → gut microbiome damage.

2. Obesity → insulin resistance → diabetes → lifelong medication.

Nature’s Diet Pet breaks the cycle with whole-food pet nutrition that addresses root causes, not symptoms.

Ready to Eliminate Fillers? Start Here:

Transitioning to a raw pet food diet might feel overwhelming, but with Nature’s Diet Pet, avoiding pet food fillers like corn, soy, and wheat is simpler than you think. If you’re wondering how to avoid fillers in pet food while ensuring your furry friend thrives, start with our filler-free solutions tailored to common needs:

For pets prone to pet obesity, Simply Raw® Turkey provides a lean, high-quality protein base that keeps them fuller longer, reducing overeating. Pair it with Digestion Bone Broth to support metabolic health and gut function—key for weight management. To address nutrient deficiencies in pets, Simply Raw® All Flavors Mix delivers a rotation of proteins and organs for balanced vitamins and minerals. Boost their meals further with Norwegian Salmon Oil (rich in omega-3s for immunity) and Goat Milk, a probiotic powerhouse that aids digestive health in pets.

Whether you’re exploring the benefits of a raw diet for dogs and cats or seeking the best filler-free pet food brands, Nature’s Diet Pet turns confusion into confidence. Every product—from Bone Broth Assortment Value Packs to Freeze-Dried Cheese Treats—is designed to replace empty calories with bioavailable nutrients that truly nourish. Ready to make the switch? Your pet’s vibrant health is just a bowl away.

Nature’s Diet Pet: A Filler-Free Alternative

Ditch the fillers and upgrade to Nature’s Diet Pet—a brand built on raw, whole-food pet nutrition that mirrors the ancestral diets of dogs and cats. Unlike kibble packed with corn, soy, and wheat, our recipes prioritize bioavailable nutrients from real, recognizable ingredients. The Simply Raw® line—including Simply Raw® Beef, Simply Raw® Chicken, and Simply Raw® Turkey—features human-grade meats, organs, bones, and organic veggies, delivering high-quality protein for pets without artificial additives or carb-heavy fillers.

Why Choose Nature’s Diet Pet?

• Bioavailable Nutrients: Every bite of Simply Raw® All Flavors Mix is packed with organs like liver and kidney, which are rich in iron, B vitamins, and taurine—nutrients pets can absorb and use immediately.

• Targeted Health Support: Pair our raw meals with Bone Broth Products like Hip & Joint Bone Broth (fortified with glucosamine for mobility) or Skin & Coat Bone Broth (loaded with collagen and omega-3s to combat allergies).

• Digestive Health in Pets: Raw diets are naturally gentle on sensitive stomachs. Pets fed Simply Raw® 2 Beef 1 Chicken or 2 Turkey 1 Beef often see firmer stools and fewer allergy symptoms within weeks.

• Beyond the Bowl: Enhance meals with Norwegian Salmon Oil for immune-boosting omega-3s, Goat Milk for probiotics, or Pumpkin Powder for fiber—all natural pet food ingredients that replace filler-driven supplements.

  
  

No Compromises, Just Results

Nature’s Diet Pet goes beyond removing fillers—we craft complete, species-appropriate nutrition. Our Freeze-Dried Cheese Treats and Raw Meat Treats for Dogs offer filler-free rewards, while Nature's Toothbrush and Sweet Potato Chews promote dental health without grains or artificial preservatives. Even our Ultimate Raw® For Cats and Raw Mix® are tailored to feline obligate carnivore needs, with zero plant-based fillers.

What You Can Do

1. Read Pet Food Labels: Avoid brands where fillers dominate the ingredients list.

2. Prioritize Named Meats: Choose Simply Raw® Beef, Chicken or Turkey 1 over vague terms like “meat meal.

3. Transition to a Raw Diet: Start with Freeze-Dried Cheese Treats or Soft Raw Freeze-Dried Niblets to ease your pet into Ultimate Raw® For Cats or Raw Mix®.

4. Supplement Smartly: Boost meals with Norwegian Salmon Oil for omega-3s or Goat Milk for probiotics.

Conclusion

Your pet deserves better than commercial pet food risks. By choosing Nature’s Diet Pet—whether it’s Simply Raw®, Bone Broth Products, or Raw Meat Cat Treats—you’re investing in their vitality. Ready to ditch fillers? Their bowl (and tail wags) will thank you.

Nature’s Diet Pet: Because every ingredient should earn its place.