Barley

Barley is a cereal used as a source of carbohydrate and fibre in some dog and cat foods, supplying starch, fibre including soluble beta-glucans, and a modest amount of plant protein. Its glycaemic index tends to run lower than that of some other cereals, which can interest formulas aiming at gradual energy release, without this being a disease-management claim (NRC, 2006). Barley is a relatively fibre-rich cereal, which contributes to stool volume and regularity, and like any cereal it supplies little essential amino acid compared with an animal protein, so its role is mainly energetic and functional; cooking is needed to make its starch absorbable. A reassuring point for cautious buyers: barley is not involved in the FDA investigation into [dilated cardiomyopathy](/glossary/dcm-dilated-cardiomyopathy-grain-free-debate), unlike some legumes (FDA CVM, Dec 2022 update). It contains gluten, which makes it one to avoid in the rare documented cases of intolerance, an uncommon situation in dogs (FEDIAF). On a label, barley signals a fibre cereal supplying starch and beta-glucans. The marker: barley is a more fibre-rich carbohydrate source than white [rice](/glossary/rice), useful for transit, to be judged as a supply of energy and fibre rather than protein. Compare it with [oats](/glossary/oats) and [sorghum](/glossary/sorghum) as cereal options in the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary).

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