Oat

Why this ingredient is used

Oats are the premium cereal in pet food. Low glycemic index, rich in soluble fibre (beta-glucans), naturally soothing for irritated digestive tracts, and technically gluten-free (though cross-contamination with wheat during milling is common). Oats are the default carbohydrate in hypoallergenic dog food formulas that still want to include a whole grain. They are also the cereal of choice for insect-protein brands like Yora because oats pair well with the novel protein concept. The main limitation: oats are more expensive than corn, wheat, or rice, so they rarely appear in budget brands.