Behind the scenes
Fitness pills and powders: supplements and sports nutrition products are booming
by Alex Hämmerli
The story behind the shift to grain-free dog food
22.10.2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
It seems we humans aren’t the only ones following the trend towards healthy eating. In fact, our four-legged friends are getting their fill of grain-free food, gluten-free alternatives and vitamin supplements. An analysis conducted by Galaxus has revealed what dog owners prioritise when choosing food for their furry friends. Meanwhile, the same analysis seems to show that cats’ nutritional needs are more straightforward to fill than dogs.
In 2025, 40 per cent of all packets of dog food sold on Galaxus so far have been «grain-free» varieties. Meanwhile, 14 per cent of them have been «gluten-free».
Nutritional supplements in pet food
Pet food manufacturers mix the same kind of vitamin supplements taken by humans into their products. When it comes to cat and dog food sold on Galaxus, the most commonly added nutritional supplements are vitamins D3, A and E. These promote a strong immune system, healthy bones and teeth, and protect against cell damage.
And that’s more than just marketing. In fact, pets depend on certain nutrients that their wild ancestors originally absorbed by eating their prey whole. By contrast, when animal feed is industrially processed and heated, valuable nutrients are lost. Supplements such as vitamins and trace elements can fill these nutritional gaps.
Are cats easier to feed than dogs?
Cats are carnivores, meaning they need certain nutrients only found in animal tissue. In contrast, dogs are omnivores and can consume a wider range of foods, including vegetarian foods. As a result, gluten-free food isn’t particularly popular with cat parents.
Although cats and dogs differ when it comes to their character and food tolerances, they’re in agreement when it comes to taste, with chicken being a firm favourite among both animals. That being said, their owners’ wallets might be driving this popularity; chicken is one of the cheaper sources of protein in pet food.
While cats also enjoy feasting on all kinds of fish, dogs go for beef on chicken-free days.
As is the case with humans, nutritional balance and high-quality ingredients are every bit as important as taste. Trendy buzzwords alone don’t make pet food healthy.
What are your dog’s or cat’s favourite foods? Which ingredients or additives do you prioritise when choosing pet food? Feel free to drop your recommendations in the comments.
Header image: Shutterstock
Tobias Heller
Communications Manager
Tobias.Heller@digitecgalaxus.chPets
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Behind the scenes
News about features in our shop, information from marketing and logistics, and much more.
Show all
