What Are Some Wheat Products in Dog Food?

Growing concerns about the quality of dog food ingredients has led to more transparency in the $15 billion a year industry. Many consumers are unaware that what is used in their dog's food can have a drastic effect on their overall health. Like humans, dogs can develop allergies to foods such as wheat. Wheat is one of the most common ingredients in dog food and used primarily as a filler. Various types of wheat products are used in dog food, though all originate from the same plant source.

  1. Ground Wheat

    • When ground, the wheat maintains all of its nutritional values. Used as a foundation for quality dog food, ground wheat is often comprised of whole wheat.

    wheat bran

    • Bran makes up approximately 14.5 percent of the total weight of a wheat kernel. It is also rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals and vitamins E and B.

    wheat germ meal

    • Germ accounts for approximately of 2.5 percent of the weight of a whole wheat kernel. It is the part of the seed that sprouts and contains a higher amount of vitamin B and trace minerals than other parts. Since it is relatively high in fat -- about 10 percent -- it can shorten shelf life of flour. Therefore, it is commonly removed from the kernel.

    wheat flour

    • Wheat flour is made by grinding the kernels into a fine consistency. When flour is milled, kernel parts are separated and mixed together in differing amounts to create flour. The label "wheat flour" can therefore represent flours made with a variety of wheat types.

    What Mill Run

    • Mill run is a combination of bran, wheat shorts, germ and flour. It is produced by the processing of human food as a by product. It is often called "floor sweepings." Mill run is used as a filler since it is inexpensive, though it has no nutritional value. On a food label, wheat mill run is also called "wheat middlings."