Wheat

Wheat is grown for food and feed. After harvest, threshing frees the kernels. Feed buyers also use grain surplus to milling demand. Dry storage and optional grinding prepare it for mixing into kibble.^8,12

1. 01 // Source Mature wheat Harvested heads hold kernels with a starchy center, germ and outer bran.
2. 02 // Process Threshed Threshing separates the kernels from the heads and loose husks.
3. 03 // Process Dried and stored Processors keep the grain dry and cool to limit heating and mold during storage.
4. 04 // Process Ground if needed Kernels may be ground before mixing; this step reduces particle size without separating the grain into fractions.
5. 05 // Output Wheat grain Whole or ground kernels arrive at the kibble plant as a grain ingredient.

1. 01

   Supplies starch energy

   Extrusion cooks wheat starch. In a dog trial comparing extruded flour diets, the dogs digested more than 99% of the starch in every diet.¹

2. 02

   Helps form kibble

   Starch helps a cooked kibble keep its shape. Wheat's gluten also improves the binding of feed pellets, giving manufacturers a processing use alongside the calories.^8,10

3. 03

   Fits grain budgets

   Feed wheat competes with corn, barley and sorghum. Manufacturers have a reason to use it when its price falls relative to those grains.⁸

How much Dog trials have fed 25% whole wheat flour as fed and 30% wheat on a dry matter basis.^2,3

1. Brands say

   Wheat gives dogs digestible energy

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   In a comparison of 6 extruded flour diets, dogs digested more than 99% of the starch in every diet, including wheat. Wheat supplies usable calories; the result does not show it beats other grains.^1,7

2. Owners say

   Wheat is a common food allergy trigger

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A review of 297 dogs with identified food reactions counted wheat in 38, behind beef, dairy and chicken. Those dogs were selected for having reactions, so the count cannot tell an owner how often wheat allergy occurs in dogs generally.⁶

3. Brands say

   Whole wheat improves a dog's gut health

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   An 18-dog crossover measured fecal bacteria and fermentation products after diets containing wheat, oats or rye. It did not measure a clinical benefit from wheat. A change in stool microbes alone does not show a healthier dog.⁴

4. Critics say

   Wheat causes dangerous blood sugar spikes

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   In an 18-dog crossover feeding 25% whole grain as fed, post-meal blood response curves did not differ between wheat, oats and rye. The trial did not test for harm, but it found no wheat-specific spike to support the claim.³

5. Critics say

   Wheat is just filler

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   Wheat averages about 69% starch on a dry basis, and dogs digested more than 99% of the starch across extruded flour diets. It contributes calories and helps kibble hold together, so calling it functionless is wrong.^1,7,8