Is Buckwheat Safe for Dogs?

At a glance

• Buckwheat is a gluten free seed rather than a grain, and a long established ingredient in dog food
• A recent UK recall is investigating a possible link to some reported cases, and no cause has yet been confirmed
• If you are ever unsure about what to feed, your vet is the best person to ask
• Marleybones contains no buckwheat in any recipe, using sweet potato and quinoa instead

Is buckwheat safe for dogs?

For the most part, yes. Buckwheat is not toxic to dogs, it is gluten free, and it is an approved ingredient that dogs digest well when it is cooked. Like any single ingredient it will not suit every individual dog, but there is nothing about buckwheat that makes it a concern for dogs in general. If your dog eats it happily and is well, there is no cause for alarm.

What about the recent recall?

A UK fresh dog food brand recently recalled its meals while it investigates a possible link between buckwheat and a dry eye condition reported in a small number of dogs. That investigation is ongoing and no cause has been confirmed, so at this stage it is a question being looked into rather than a settled answer. It is reason enough to be aware of the ingredient, and to make a considered choice about whether you would prefer to feed it.

What should I do?

If your dog is well and eating happily, there is no need to change anything suddenly, as switching food too quickly can upset your dog's stomach. If you are ever unsure about what you are feeding, or whether an ingredient suits your dog, your vet is the best person to ask, and every Marleybones subscription includes free 24/7 online vet support, so you can put exactly this kind of question to a qualified vet at any hour.

If you would simply prefer a buckwheat free food, that is an easy switch to make. Every Marleybones recipe is built around one named protein, three vegetables and seven superfoods, with no buckwheat anywhere in the range, and each meal is complete and balanced to FEDIAF guidelines so it can be fed on its own. The shelf stable meals such as Boss Beef keep fresh in the cupboard with no freezer needed, and every recipe is published in full with percentages on its product page, so you can see exactly what is and is not in the food. To match your dog to the right recipe for their age, size, and any sensitivities, the Marleybones plan builder works through those questions and recommends meals to suit.

FAQs

Is buckwheat toxic to dogs?

No. Buckwheat is not toxic to dogs. It is an approved pet food ingredient that dogs digest well when cooked. An individual dog can be sensitive to it, as they can to any ingredient, but that is different from it being poisonous.

Does Marleybones contain buckwheat?

No. No Marleybones recipe contains buckwheat. The meals use sweet potato and quinoa as their carbohydrate sources, alongside at least sixty percent freshly prepared meat or fish.

What's included with a Marleybones subscription?

A Marleybones subscription includes free 24/7 online vet support, free monthly delivery on orders over £50, a plan portioned to your dog, and savings of up to 25% compared with one-off orders. Subscribers also benefit from cashback on every order and receive ongoing loyalty rewards.

The vet support is included at no extra cost and available at any hour, so you can ask a qualified vet about feeding, portions or anything else about your dog. Plans are built around your dog's size, age and activity, and you can add treats, oils and supplements alongside the meals. You can edit, skip or cancel your plan whenever you need to.

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