Shun NagaiIn recent years, ancient grains such as amaranth, millet, and quinoa have been gaining attention, especially in Europe and the United States, as grain ingredients for pet food. Triggered in part by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) investigation into a possible link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the use of ancient grains has expanded due to their high nutritional value as well as characteristics such as being gluten-free and non-GMO. In this article, we explore the functionality of these ancient grains, examples of their use in the U.S. market, and their potential for pet food development in Japan.
From Grain-Free to a Return to Ancient Grains
In recent years, ancient grains—generally defined as grains that have not undergone modern breeding and refinement—have regained attention in the pet food industry. One of the key triggers was the U.S. FDA’s investigation into a possible relationship between grain-free pet food and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Following the FDA’s announcement in 2018, the market began to reassess grain-free pet food formulas centered on ingredients such as peas and potatoes, which had come under scrutiny for their possible association with DCM. Rather than returning to commonly avoided grains such as wheat and corn, the industry has increasingly turned to so-called ancient grains such as amaranth, quinoa, and millet. Products containing these ingredients have emerged under concepts such as “grain-friendly” and “healthy grains.”
In fact, ancient grains had already begun gaining some popularity before the FDA announcement, but reports suggest that adoption of ancient grains and other alternative carbohydrate sources accelerated even further afterward. In this way, overseas markets are increasingly rethinking the grain-free narrative and moving toward incorporating ancient grains into pet food formulations.
Characteristics of Ancient Grains and Their Benefits in Pet Food
Ancient grains are attracting attention not simply because they are trendy, but because they offer genuine nutritional and functional benefits. Their main advantages are summarized below.
Improved Nutritional Value and Digestibility
Because ancient grains can be used in their whole-grain form without refining, they are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain nutrients that are often lacking in refined grains, such as B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium, making them useful as nutritional enrichment ingredients when appropriately incorporated into pet food.
In addition, they provide dietary fiber with prebiotic effects, which can support healthy digestion and promote regular bowel movements, even in dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
Studies in which ancient grains were included at levels of up to 40% as the primary carbohydrate source found no adverse effects on nutrient digestibility or stool quality in adult dogs, indicating that these ingredients can be utilized effectively. The same studies also reported good palatability, showing that dogs readily accepted diets containing ancient grains.
Functional Properties and Health Benefits
Many ancient grains contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help support overall health. For example, millet and sorghum are rich in antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and may contribute to reducing inflammation in senior dogs or dogs with chronic inflammatory conditions.
Some grains, such as oats, are digested and absorbed more gradually and are less likely to cause sharp increases in blood glucose levels, suggesting potential usefulness in diets for overweight or diabetic dogs.
In fact, the studies mentioned above indicated that the inclusion of ingredients such as amaranth and oats produced beneficial changes in intestinal fermentation metabolites, including increased butyrate production. Oats were also suggested to have a milder impact on postprandial blood glucose levels.
Support for Allergen-Conscious Formulation
Many ancient grains contain no gluten or only very small amounts, and most are also non-GMO. For this reason, they are well suited for allergen-conscious pet food formulations as gluten-free and non-GMO ingredients.
Compared with wheat or corn, these grains have a shorter history of widespread dietary exposure, which also makes them relatively attractive from a food allergy perspective, especially as novel carbohydrate sources.
Environmental Sustainability
Another important point is that many ancient grains are hardy crops with strong environmental adaptability because they have not been heavily modified through modern breeding. Some varieties, for example, are tolerant of drought and poor soil conditions and can be cultivated with less water and fertilizer than crops such as corn, making them attractive as sustainable agricultural ingredients.
Although their productivity is not always high, ancient grains are also being recognized from the perspective of reducing environmental impact and supporting producing regions through fair trade. This can also enhance a brand’s social value.
Added Marketing Value
Using ancient grains can also help differentiate products on the label. Claims such as “gluten-free,” “non-GMO,” “high in fiber,” and “made with ancient grains” are positive points of appeal that can attract health-conscious and natural-minded pet owners.
In the U.S. market, products containing ancient grains are already being promoted with appealing terms such as “Healthy Grains” and “Ancient Grains,” and are becoming established as a new premium category that offers an alternative to grain-free formulas.
Major Types of Ancient Grains and Their Characteristics
| Ancient Grain | Key Characteristics | Potential Benefits in Pet Food |
|---|---|---|
| Amaranth | A pseudocereal in the amaranth family, cultivated in South America for thousands of years. High in protein and well balanced in essential amino acids. Gluten-free. | Useful as a nutrient-dense ingredient, helps supplement amino acids such as lysine, and may serve as an alternative protein source for dogs with allergies to animal proteins. Research also suggests it may increase butyrate production in the gut and support intestinal health. |
| Quinoa | A pseudocereal native to the Andes in South America, widely known as a superfood for humans. Rich in protein and various vitamins. Gluten-free and easy to digest. | Commonly used in wheat-free dog food. May help support muscle maintenance, metabolism, and cognitive health. Its fiber content may also help with satiety and weight management. |
| Millet | A collective term for small-seeded cereal grains such as proso millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet. Naturally gluten-free and traditionally consumed in many parts of the world. | Rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber. May help support gut health, provide sustained energy, and serve as an option for pet food formulated with grain sensitivities in mind. |
| Sorghum | A gluten-free grain similar to millet and rich in antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols. Available in a variety of colors including black, red, and yellow. | May offer antioxidant benefits and can serve as an alternative carbohydrate source in premium pet food. |
| Spelt / Kamut / Farro / Teff | Ancient grain varieties, including ancestors of modern wheat. When used in whole-grain form, they provide B vitamins, iron, and other nutrients. | Can help support nutrient enrichment and may provide a lower-GI carbohydrate source than conventional refined grains, contributing to more gradual energy release. |
Below is a brief overview of the representative ancient grains for which demand is increasing as pet food ingredients in the United States.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a pseudocereal in the amaranth family with a cultivation history stretching back thousands of years in South America. It has a high protein content and an excellent essential amino acid balance, making it a “complete protein.” Because it is gluten-free, it is also easily digested.
It is particularly rich in amino acids such as lysine, making it a valuable source of nutrients that are often lacking in grains such as wheat. It is also viewed as a promising alternative protein source for dogs with allergies to animal proteins. As noted earlier, studies have also suggested that amaranth may increase butyrate production in the gut and contribute positively to intestinal health.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a pseudocereal native to the Andes in South America and is also widely known as a superfood for humans. It is commonly used in wheat-free dog food and is valued for its rich protein content and various vitamins, which are believed to help support muscle health, metabolism, and brain function.
It is gluten-free, easy to digest, and high in dietary fiber, which may help dogs feel full longer and support weight management. Since it is one of the more protein-rich grains and also contains essential amino acids, adding it in appropriate amounts to a dog’s diet can help improve overall nutritional balance.
Millet
Millet is a general term for small cereal grains in the grass family, including proso millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet. It is a gluten-free grain with a long history as a staple food in many cultures around the world.
Millet is rich in antioxidants and is considered useful for helping reduce inflammation and support the health of senior dogs. Its dietary fiber also contributes to a healthy intestinal environment. Because millets are small-grained and digested relatively gently, they are also expected to provide a sustained energy source and are well suited to formulas designed with grain sensitivities in mind.
Other Ancient Grains
In addition to the grains listed above, sorghum, spelt, teff, and farro are also classified as ancient grains.
Sorghum, also known as milo, is a gluten-free grain like millet and is rich in antioxidant compounds. It comes in a wide range of varieties—black, red, yellow, and others—and contains natural polyphenol pigments, which may contribute antioxidant benefits.
Spelt and Kamut are ancestors of modern wheat, and when used in whole-grain form, they can provide nutrients such as B vitamins and iron.
These ancient grains also tend to have a lower glycemic index than conventional wheat, meaning they may help provide dogs with a more gradual and stable source of energy.
Trends and Outlook in the Japanese Market
In Japan, grain-free diets have been strongly favored in recent years, driven by concerns over canine food allergies and the perception that dogs are naturally carnivorous and have difficulty digesting grains. In fact, in the premium pet food market, products promoting the absence of grains such as wheat and corn have become mainstream.
However, influenced by overseas trends, Japan is also beginning to see a gradual rise in products differentiated through the use of ancient grains. For example, European brands offering formulas with “ancestral grains” have entered the Japanese market, and some domestic premium pet food brands have started launching more “grain-friendly” products that incorporate gluten-free grains such as sorghum and rye.
That said, pet food in Japan that actively incorporates ancient grains is still a minority, and these ingredients remain relatively unfamiliar to many pet owners.
Even so, the shift away from an exclusively grain-free approach is a trend worth watching in Japan as well. The use of ancient grains can not only create added value and product differentiation, but also enhance nutrition by naturally increasing vitamin and mineral content without relying solely on synthetic additives.
In addition, by helping correct the misconception that “all grains are bad,” these ingredients make it possible to propose more balanced recipes. For pet food developers, ancient grains can therefore be seen as promising next-generation ingredients.
Conclusion
Overseas, pet foods containing ancient grains are gaining support from health-conscious pet owners and are beginning to claim a share of the market. Behind this trend are both a reassessment of grain-free products and the nutritional and marketing advantages that ancient grains offer.
In Japan as well, getting ahead of this trend by developing recipes that incorporate ancient grains could become an effective differentiation strategy. Appropriate inclusion of ancient grains can increase both the nutritional value and the market appeal of a product, while also helping brands reach consumer segments that grain-free products may not have fully addressed.
We hope the information in this article will be useful as you consider incorporating ancient grains into your own products. As a source of inspiration for new pet food development, ancient grains may offer meaningful added value to your product lineup.