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Introduction: why does grain-free super premium food stir up so much emotion?
Grain-free super premium food sounds like the perfect solution: "natural", "healthier", "closer to a wolf's diet". Adverts promise a beautiful coat, a healthy tummy and no allergies. In practice, many dog owners feel rather… a little lost. One bag shouts "grain-free", another "super premium", yet another "hypoallergenic" – and the ingredients are still hard to decipher.
The good news is that you don't need to be an animal nutritionist to choose wisely. All you need is to learn a few rules on how to read pet food labels and which marketing tricks manufacturers use most often. In this article you'll find:
- a simple explanation of what "grain-free" and "super premium" really mean,
- a look at when grain-free dog food makes sense and when it's just a fad,
- 7 specific label traps that you won't see in the adverts,
- practical tips on how to assess a food's composition step by step.
Along the way, you'll also see how to spot more transparent manufacturers – such as Bemo Pets – who rely on natural raw materials and communicate their ingredients clearly.
What does it actually mean for a food to be "grain-free" and "super premium"?
"Grain-free" – a marketing term, not a legal one
Neither EU law nor AAFCO guidelines contain a strict legal definition of "grain-free" food. It is first and foremost a marketing term. In practice, it is generally accepted that:
- grain-free food contains no cereals such as wheat, maize, rice, barley, oats or sorghum,
- instead of grains, other sources of carbohydrates are used: legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans) and tubers (potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca).
Important: grain-free dog food does not mean a carbohydrate-free diet. The starch is still there – it just comes from different plants.
Industry organisations such as FEDIAF (the European pet food industry federation) stress that what matters most is whether the food is complete and balanced, not whether it contains grains. Grains are not "bad" in themselves – they are a source of energy, fibre, some protein, vitamins and minerals. In healthy dogs, there is no evidence that they are harmful by definition.
"Super premium" – quality, but also… a marketing ploy
The term "super premium food" isn't legally defined either. This means that:
- any manufacturer can use the term, even if the food's composition is average,
- quality is determined not by the label on the front of the bag, but by the ingredients, the analytical constituents and the manufacturer's standards.
How do you recognise a genuine super premium food in practice?
Most often it:
- is based on high-quality sources of animal protein (meat, fish – not low-quality by-products),
- has well-described, specific raw materials (e.g. "chicken 30%" rather than a vague "meat and animal derivatives"),
- is formulated in line with FEDIAF/AAFCO guidelines – with appropriate supplementation of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids,
- has a transparent label that doesn't hide the composition behind generalisations.
Bemo Pets positions its products precisely as natural super premium foods and supplements – clearly stating the raw materials used (e.g. fish from Polish lakes) and matching the composition to dogs' real needs: puppies, active dogs, sensitive or allergic dogs.
Is grain-free dog food always better?
The fashionable narrative goes: "grains are just filler – grain-free = healthier". Evidence-based positions from organisations such as FEDIAF, WSAVA and veterinary universities say something different.
When does grain-free food make sense?
Grain-free super premium food can be a good choice when, for example:
- your dog has a diagnosed allergy or intolerance to a specific grain (e.g. wheat),
- your vet recommends an elimination diet and wants to rule out more common ingredients (sometimes combined with a single-protein or hypoallergenic food),
- your dog has a particularly sensitive digestive system and tolerates certain starch sources better (e.g. potatoes instead of wheat).
Even so, the key is the completeness and balance of the diet, not simply the absence of grains. A grain-free food for an allergic dog must be well planned, with the right proportions of protein, fat, fibre and micronutrients.
When is "grain-free" just a fad?
- In healthy dogs without diagnosed allergies, there is no evidence that every grain-based food is harmful.
- Skin or stomach problems are often caused by a reaction to a specific animal protein (e.g. chicken), not to wheat or rice.
- Many manufacturers use the "grain-free" trend to sell food based on large amounts of cheap starch from legumes, with a moderate amount of meat.
So instead of asking "is this food grain-free?", it's better to ask:
"Does this food have good, transparent ingredients, and is it right for my dog?"
How to read pet food labels before you buy "grain-free super premium"
Every pet food label has two key sections:
1. Composition (ingredients) – the list of ingredients used, in descending order by amount.
2. Analytical constituents (chemical analysis) – percentages of protein, fat, crude fibre, ash, moisture and so on.
In practice, pay attention to:
- the first 3–5 ingredients – they form the base of the food,
- the type of protein: is it a specific meat/fish or a vague term?
- carbohydrate sources: grains, legumes or potatoes – and how much of them in total?
- fat: what is the source (e.g. salmon oil, poultry fat)?
- additives: vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, possibly herbs.
Transparent manufacturers such as Bemo describe the composition specifically (e.g. "lamb 20%, beef 15%, brown rice 10%" or "trout 30% from Polish lakes"), which makes it easier to assess the food's real value and to choose, for example, a hypoallergenic food with fish for a dog with a delicate digestive system.
7 traps on grain-free food labels that the adverts don't show
1. "Grain-free" = "carbohydrate-free"
What's the trap?
The front of the bag says "grain-free", and the advert suggests it's almost a "meat diet without carbohydrates". Meanwhile, the ingredients list peas, garden peas, lentils, potatoes, sweet potatoes – often in several positions.
Why is this a problem?
- Legumes and tubers are also a source of starch, often no less than in a grain-based food.
- A large amount of one type of starch can affect digestion and stool consistency and, in the long term, the balance of minerals and fibre.
What to look at instead of the marketing?
- Check how many starchy plants, and which ones, appear in the first 5–7 ingredients.
- If you see several kinds of peas, potatoes and sweet potatoes among the first ingredients and relatively little meat, it's not a high-meat food, even if it is grain-free.
2. "High protein" thanks to legumes, not meat
What's the trap?
The label says "crude protein 30%" and you think: "great, lots of meat". But the ingredients include pea protein concentrates, alfalfa and other plant materials.
Why is this a problem?
- Plant protein has a different amino acid profile from meat protein.
- Too much plant protein can upset the proportions of key amino acids and requires more precise supplementation.
What to look at instead of the marketing?
- Are the main protein sources specific animal ingredients (meat, fish, eggs), or mostly legumes?
- In good super premium foods, meat/fish come first in the ingredients list, and plant additives don't dominate the protein.
3. "50% fresh meat" – but after evaporation…
What's the trap?
A big banner: "50% fresh meat!". It sounds impressive, but fresh meat contains a lot of water. Once dried, its actual percentage drops.
Why is this a problem?
- If, besides fresh meat, the ingredients also include other protein sources (e.g. meat meals, legumes), it's hard to judge how much actual dry meat is in a portion.
- You can get the impression that the food is "almost entirely meat" when it isn't.
What to look at instead of the marketing?
- Look for a clear description: fresh meat + dried animal ingredients, with their proportions stated.
- Remember that in dry foods what really counts is mainly the amount of meat ingredients in dried form, not just the percentage of fresh meat.
4. Vague terms such as "animal derivatives"
What's the trap?
The label promises "natural dog food" or "super premium food", but the ingredients say "animal derivatives" or "meat and animal derivatives", without specifying the species or the parts used.
Why is this a problem?
- You don't know which species the protein comes from (chicken, turkey, beef?).
- It's also harder to identify a potential allergen, especially when you're looking for a grain-free food for a dog with allergies or a sensitive digestive system.
What to look at instead of the marketing?
- Prefer foods with a specific composition: "chicken", "lamb", "trout" – ideally with the percentage given.
- Transparent manufacturers such as Bemo clearly declare the species and origin of their raw materials (e.g. fish from Polish lakes).
5. "Hypoallergenic" with no clear justification in the composition
What's the trap?
The food is described as "hypoallergenic" or "for sensitive dogs", but:
- it has several different animal protein sources,
- it doesn't explain what makes it "hypoallergenic".
Why is this a problem?
- A genuine hypoallergenic dog food is usually based on a single, novel protein (e.g. lamb, fish), often with a simplified composition so that reactions are easier to pinpoint – a good starting point might be, for example, Bemo single-protein foods.
- Being grain-free alone doesn't make a food hypoallergenic if it contains common allergens (chicken, beef, dairy).
What to look at instead of the marketing?
- Check how many different animal proteins the food contains.
- For an elimination diet and for allergies, look for foods that are single-protein with a short ingredients list, ideally after consulting your vet.
- Look out for ranges designed for sensitive or allergic dogs – such as the specialist Bemo foods for sensitive dogs, developed with delicate digestive systems in mind.
6. Breaking one ingredient into several entries ("splitting")
What's the trap?
The manufacturer splits one raw material into several "smaller" entries, e.g.:
- peas, pea starch, pea fibre,
- potatoes, potato flakes, potato starch.
This way, meat can appear higher up the list even though the combined share of peas/potatoes is greater.
Why is this a problem?
- The ingredients list is supposed to give you an idea of what there is most of.
- Splitting makes it hard to judge what the base of the food really is: meat or carbohydrates.
What to look at instead of the marketing?
- Always add up similar ingredients in your head: all forms of peas together, all forms of potato together.
- If, once added up, the starchy plants outweigh the meat, it isn't really a "meat-based super premium food", whatever the description says.
7. Beautiful graphics, no specifics in the analysis
What's the trap?
The packaging looks "premium": fresh fillets in the photo, herbs, forest berries. Meanwhile:
- the analytical constituents are very basic (only protein, fat, fibre, ash),
- there's no information on omega-3 fatty acids and no clear declaration of vitamins and minerals.
Why is this a problem?
- A high-quality super premium food should have precise supplementation, in line with FEDIAF/AAFCO.
- An overly vague analysis makes it hard to judge whether the diet is well balanced, especially for puppies, active dogs or pregnant bitches.
What to look at instead of the marketing?
- Check whether the manufacturer declares:
- the EPA/DHA (omega-3 fatty acid) content – important for foods with fish,
- detailed levels of key minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.),
- compliance with FEDIAF guidelines.
- Check whether the manufacturer offers different formulas for different needs: e.g. for puppies (like Bemo Puppy & Junior with beef and lamb), adult dogs, very active dogs and sensitive dogs.
A practical cheat sheet: how to choose a good grain-free super premium food
A summary in a few steps:
1. Define your dog's needs
Age, weight, activity level, health (allergies, sensitive stomach, pregnancy/lactation).
2. Consider whether grain-free is necessary
- Allergy to a specific grain? Vet's recommendation? Then yes.
- A healthy dog with no problems? Focus on quality, not fashion.
3. Read the first 5 ingredients
- Look for specific, named meats/fish at the top of the list.
- Assess how many starch sources the food contains, and which ones.
4. Check the protein and fat
- Protein: where does it come from (meat vs plants)?
- Fat: are the sources good (e.g. poultry fat, fish oil)?
5. Pay attention to the manufacturer's transparency
- Clear descriptions of raw materials,
- information on compliance with FEDIAF/AAFCO,
- separate products for different groups of dogs (puppies, active, sensitive and older dogs).
Brands with this approach – such as Bemo, which uses natural, largely local raw materials (e.g. fish from Polish lakes) and creates complete feeding systems for different dogs – make it easier to decide without having to guess "what the author meant" on the label.
FAQ: frequently asked questions about grain-free and super premium foods
1. Is grain-free dog food always better than grain-based food?
No. Being grain-free doesn't in itself make a food healthier. For most healthy dogs, a well-balanced grain-based food is just as suitable as a well-balanced grain-free one. What counts is the quality of the raw materials, the meat content and how well the food matches your dog's needs.
2. Will grain-free food solve my dog's allergy problems?
Not necessarily. The most common allergens are animal proteins (e.g. chicken, beef), not grains. If you suspect an allergy, it's best to consult your vet and introduce an elimination diet (often single-protein, sometimes also grain-free), rather than switching to "grain-free" on your own.
3. Can a puppy eat grain-free food?
Yes, as long as it is a complete, balanced puppy food designed in line with FEDIAF/AAFCO guidelines. Examples include specialist foods such as Bemo Puppy & Junior for puppies. The absence of grains alone can't replace the right proportions of calcium, phosphorus, protein and fat, which are key during growth.
4. Which food should I choose for a dog with a sensitive stomach – grain-based or grain-free?
It depends on exactly what your dog reacts to. Sometimes a gentle protein source (e.g. lamb, fish) and a particular type of starch (e.g. rice, potatoes) work better, along with support from digestive supplements. For some dogs, grain-free foods with a simple composition are exactly what helps, but it's always worth choosing them after observing your dog's reactions and, for more serious problems, after consulting your vet.
5. How can you tell that a food is truly super premium and not just in name?
Look for:
- specific, transparent ingredients (clearly named meats/fish, no vague terms),
- a meaningful analysis and a declaration of compliance with FEDIAF/AAFCO,
- product ranges tailored to dogs' different needs (puppies, active, sensitive and older dogs),
- transparent communication from the manufacturer about the origin of raw materials and the production process.
Summary and next steps
Grain-free super premium food can be a great tool in feeding your dog – especially one with a sensitive digestive system or confirmed allergies. It is not, however, a magic solution for everyone. The most important questions to ask yourself are:
- does this food have specific, understandable ingredients, with a predominance of high-quality animal protein?
- does it comply with FEDIAF/AAFCO guidelines?
- is it suited to my dog's age, activity level and health?
Reading labels mindfully lets you tell real quality from catchy marketing. If you're looking for a natural, grain-free or grain-based super premium food with a transparent composition – made from local raw materials, including fish from Polish lakes, and tailored to the needs of different dogs – take a look at the Bemo range at bemopets.com and choose the feeding system that best suits your dog.
Sources
[1] FEDIAF – Grain free pet food for cats and dogs (Fact sheet, 2025): https://europeanpetfood.org [2] FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs (current editions 2021–2024): https://europeanpetfood.org [3] AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, Official Publication (updates up to 2024): https://aafco.org [4] WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit, "Selecting Pet Foods" and "Interpreting Pet Food Labels": https://wsava.org [5] Zhang et al., "Grain-Free Diets for Dogs and Cats: An Updated Review of the Current Literature", Animals, 2025: https://www.mdpi.com [6] Czeczeńska et al., "Mineral composition of cereal and cereal-free dry dog foods", 2020: https://www.sciencedirect.com [7] FDA, "Questions & Answers: FDA’s Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)", updates up to 2022: https://www.fda.gov [8] Carlson, "Alternative Diets for Dogs and Cats and the Risk of Dilated Cardiomyopathy", 2020: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com [9] Mornand et al., "Role of Diet as a Predisposing Factor for Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs – A Narrative Review", 2025: (veterinary journals, available online) [10] Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Nutrition Service – educational materials on grain-free diets: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu
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