At Naked Dog Bistro, everything we make at our dog treat bakery, from our amazing dog cakes to our tasty doggie French fries, contains only organic ingredients. And all of our delectable treats are grain-free and gluten-free. Why did we opt for grain and gluten-free ingredients? Here’s a quick look at our story.
Years ago, we had a wonderful dog named Kona. He suffered from an assortment of stomach and other issues, and we discovered that he was gluten intolerant. Once we changed his diet to a grain-free and potato-free diet, his health rapidly improved. We also discovered that many dogs also had issues related to gluten intolerance, and we wanted to share what we had learned with others. Thus, the Naked Dog Bistro was born.
Is Gluten Dangerous For Dogs? What About Grains?
Gluten, a type of protein found in wheat and other grains, can be problematic for some dogs, just as it is for some humans. Here’s why:
Allergies and Food Sensitivities: Some dogs may have allergies or sensitivities to gluten. In these dogs, consumption of gluten can trigger an immune response, which can cause symptoms such as itching, ear infections, skin infections, paw biting, and gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea and vomiting.
Celiac Disease: Though extremely rare in dogs, it’s theoretically possible for a dog to have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to launch an immune response to gluten. This can damage the small intestine and cause various health problems, so gluten-free dog food and gluten-free treats are a necessity for any dog with celiac disease.
Digestibility: Some argue that dogs, being carnivorous by nature, have a harder time digesting grains compared to meat. This can potentially lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, though this is a topic of debate among experts. We certainly saw with our dog, Kona, that grain digestion was a big issue and grain-free dog food as well as potato-free dog food helped him immensely.
However, it’s important to note that not all dogs have a problem with gluten or grain. Many dogs eat diets that include grains and don’t experience any adverse effects. It’s when dogs have specific allergies, sensitivities, or health conditions that gluten can become a problem.
As always, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian about your dog’s diet and any potential allergies or sensitivities they may have. Changes in diet should always be discussed with a professional to ensure you’re meeting all of your pet’s nutritional needs.
While most dogs can digest grains and gluten, we simply felt that eliminating these ingredients from everything made at our dog treat bakery was the best way to produce something that every dog could enjoy.
Why Organic?
At Naked Dog Bistro, all of our ingredients are organic and selected for their nutritional value. Who says that a treat cannot also be nutritious? We believe that every morsel we feed our dogs should boost their health in some way, even if it’s a treat. This is one of the reasons why we are committed to providing organic food and treats for all of our doggie customers.
Feeding your dog organic food can have several potential benefits, although it’s important to remember that each dog’s needs can vary, and “organic” isn’t automatically synonymous with “better for every dog.” However, here are some reasons why you might consider organic food for your dog:
Avoidance of Harmful Chemicals: Organic foods are grown without the use of most synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, which means your dog is less likely to consume these potentially harmful chemicals through their food.
No Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Organic regulations prohibit the use of GMOs. While the long-term effects of GMOs on dogs are not fully understood, some pet owners prefer to err on the side of caution.
Higher Nutrient Levels: Some studies have shown that certain nutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, are higher in organic foods. Again, more studies need to be done, but this can be a positive benefit of feeding organic.
No Antibiotics or Growth Hormones: Organic meat is produced without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones, which some consumers prefer to avoid in their dogs’ food.
Supports Animal Welfare: Organic farming regulations often include stipulations about animal welfare. Buying organic can be one way to support the humane treatment of animals. Some brands of non-organic dog food contain meat from dubious sources, sometimes even diseased animals.
Better Taste: Some pet owners report that their pets prefer the taste of organic food, although this can vary from dog to dog. We find that many dogs prefer the taste of fresh dog food over kibble, and that is one reason why we developed our own brand of fresh organic dog food. Of course, with fresh dog food, we also control the number of ingredients, and a limited-ingredient diet can be a good option for many dogs, especially those prone to allergies and gastrointestinal issues.
Visit The Naked Dog Bistro
At our pet store in Laguna Beach, we offer a wide assortment of organic dog treats, baked fresh each day in the Naked Dog Bistro kitchen. In addition to treats and custom dog cakes, we also offer a wide variety of unique toys, stylish apparel and plenty of cool dog collars. We also sell our fresh natural dog food in six delicious flavor varieties, several of which are pancreatitis-safe.
If you don’t live near our Laguna Beach pet store, we can ship toys, clothing, dog collars and other dog gifts directly to your home, as well as our homemade CBD dog treats. These are grain-free and gluten-free and can be a great option for dogs with allergies or anxiety, as well as dogs with arthritis and dogs undergoing chemotherapy.
Of course, we welcome dogs as well as dog parents to Naked Dog Bistro, so if you are in the Laguna Beach area, feel free to stop by our dog treat bakery and pick up some dog cookies, doggie donuts or one of our other delectable treats. We are located at 424 Forest Avenue, next door to the Lumberyard restaurant, which is one of Laguna’s many pet-friendly eateries.
