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Ingredient file // Grain

Barley

Printed as “Ground Barley” on some labels. Same ingredient.

Useful starch, with oversold blood sugar benefits

Barley is a cereal grain that supplies starch and some fiber to kibble. Dogs digest its cooked starch well. Its beta-glucan does not guarantee firmer stools or steadier blood sugar in a finished food.

Barley
What it is
The harvested barley kernel, usually ground so its starch cooks during kibble making.
Made from
Mature barley kernels
Main job
Starch for energy and kibble
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Loose stools at very high amounts
Not the same as
Brewers' spent grain

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 7 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

15%

370 of the 2,473 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 40 brands. 327 dry dog food, 40 wet dog food, 2 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 4. In the top five of 280 foods, so it is usually a main ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

100%

Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.

Price per lb

Foods with it $2.86
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 274 priced foods, 12% below the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

16%

of the foods that list it are from Blue. 40 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Barley is grown and harvested as a food and feed grain. Mills dry and grind the kernels for use in dog food. Brewers' spent grain is a separate leftover from making beer.1,6

  1. 01 // Source Barley kernels Mature kernels come from the harvested crop; the grain is dried before storage.
  2. 02 // Process Threshed and stored Threshing separates kernels from the stalks, and dry storage keeps the grain usable.
  3. 03 // Process Ground Milling breaks the hard kernels, exposing starch that cooks during kibble extrusion.
  4. 04 // Output Barley or meal Dry kernels or ground barley reach the kibble plant, where the recipe is mixed and cooked.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

60

% starch

Barley grain averages about 60% starch on a dry matter basis. Energy is its main contribution to kibble.

Starch 52.2-66.8%5
Crude protein 8.5-16.1%5
Neutral detergent fiber 14.7-30%5
Crude fiber 3.1-8.2%5
Crude fat 1.2-2.9%5
Ash 1.9-3.4%5

Variety and hull removal change the fiber share. Hulless barley has less fiber than hulled grain, while some varieties have more beta-glucan. A label saying barley does not disclose those details.6

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Supplies cooked starch

    Grinding and extrusion make barley starch accessible to digestive enzymes. In a dog trial, starch from every tested extruded grain flour diet was almost completely digested.1,6

  2. 02

    Adds grain fiber

    Barley brings fiber along with starch, giving formulators another way to set the recipe's fiber level. That does not mean it will firm a dog's stool.2,5

  3. 03

    Offers bulk grain supply

    Barley is a feed crop that competes with wheat and corn. Manufacturers can buy it through the grain supply chain as another bulk starch option when balancing cost and availability.6

How much Dog studies tested diets with 25% barley and diets with 10 to 40%; an extruded diet above 50% produced looser stools.1,2,10

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Barley gives dogs usable energy

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Across 6 extruded flour diets, starch digestion exceeded 99%. A separate diet containing 25% barley had 83.85% dry matter digestibility. Barley supplies usable energy, although its fiber and the rest of the recipe affect total digestibility.1,2

  2. Brands say

    Barley releases energy slowly and steadies blood sugar

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 16-dog study replacing corn with 10 to 40% barley found no improvement in glucose after meals. A 15-dog diabetic trial changed peas and processing alongside barley, so its glucose result cannot be credited to barley.3,10

  3. Brands say

    Barley beta-glucan keeps stools firm

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a 30-dog comparison, food containing 25% barley left stool consistency unchanged against rice. Dogs eating another extruded diet with more than 50% barley had looser stools. Barley's fiber does not promise firmer stools.1,2,6

  4. Critics say

    Barley is just cheap filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The starch in 6 tested extruded flour diets was more than 99% digested. Barley also contains fiber. It is an economical grain, but its starch supplies energy rather than merely adding weight to a recipe.1,5,6

  5. Owners say

    Barley gluten harms all dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Barley contains gluten. Affected Irish setters improved when gluten was removed and relapsed after a gluten challenge. That study documents a condition in susceptible dogs, not harm to every dog eating barley.4,7

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Barley supplies starch that dogs digest for energy, plus some fiber. A high place on the ingredient list means it makes up a substantial share of that recipe; the label does not reveal the exact amount.1,5,9

  2. Q02

    Is barley better than rice?

    No clear edge

    In a 30-dog comparison, the barley diet had slightly lower dry matter digestibility than the rice diet, while stool consistency was unchanged. Judge the complete food and how your dog does on it.2

  3. Q03

    Does barley contain gluten?

    Yes

    Barley naturally contains gluten. A dog with diagnosed gluten sensitivity should avoid it. The documented Irish setter condition is a reason for those affected dogs to avoid gluten, not for every dog to avoid barley.4,7

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Blue 59
  2. Purina 38
  3. NutriSource 35
  4. Wellness 31
  5. Merrick 21
  6. Nulo 20
  7. Abound 13
  8. Nature's Recipe 13
  9. Blue Seal 12
  10. Halo 11

Plus 30 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #1 Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  2. #6 Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  3. #11 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  4. #22 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
  5. #26 Blue Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  6. #28 Blue Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  7. #29 Blue Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  8. #39 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal Formula Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Brown Rice 52%
  2. Oatmeal 51%
  3. Chicken Meal 48%
  4. Chicken Fat 46%
  5. Chicken 45%
  6. Natural Flavor 39%
  7. Flaxseed 37%
  8. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 25%
  9. Peas 24%
  10. Oats 16%
  11. Salmon 15%
  12. Turkey Meal 15%

On the shelf

Foods that list it

370 foods in our reviews list it. Here are some of them.

Abound Adult Lamb & Brown Rice with Avocado Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinAbound All Life Stages Superfood Blend Salmon, Egg & Pumpkin Dry Dog Food29.5% proteinAbound Pro Vet Formulated Adult Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food24.4% proteinAbound Pro Vet Formulated Adult Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food28.9% proteinAbound Pro Vet Formulated Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food30.0% proteinAbound Pro Vet Formulated Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food30.0% proteinAbound Pro Vet Formulated Senior Salmon & Pea Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinAbound Pro Vet Formulated Sensitive Stomach Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food26.7% protein
Show 60 more Blue Wilderness Beef & Chicken with Grains Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinBlue Life Protection Formula Homestyle Recipe Grain-Free Senior - Chicken & Garden Vegetables Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinWellness Complete Health Age Advantage Pate Chicken Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinBlue Boo Bars Pumpkin & Cinnamon Crunchy Dog Treats13.5% proteinHalo Holistic Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food29.7% proteinHalo Holistic Vegan Plant-Based with Kelp Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food29.7% proteinBlue True Solutions Small Breed Care Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe for Small Breed Adult Dogs Dry Dog Food31.1% proteinBlue True Solutions Large Breed Care Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinBlue Wilderness Premier Blend Adult Chicken Tender Meaty Cuts Recipe Dry Dog Food36.7% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Performance for Active Dogs, Beef & Chicken Recipe Can Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Performance Turkey & Chicken Recipe Cuts in Gravy Can Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinBlue Life Protection Formula Homestyle Recipe Puppy Food - Chicken & Garden Vegetables Wet Dog Food34.6% proteinBlue True Solutions Small Breed Wet Dog Food34.1% proteinPurina Beneful Freshly Prepared Blends with Beef, Carrots, Peas and Barley Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinCesar Simply Crafted Adult Chicken Dog Food Topper90.9% proteinCesar Wholesome Bowls Beef, Chicken, Carrots, Barley & Green Beans Wet Dog Food59.4% proteinStella & Chewy’s SuperBlends Chicken & Salmon Dry Puppy Food: Raw Coated Oven Baked Kibble with Superfoods, Antioxidants & Probiotics Dry Dog Food31.8% proteinRachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Dry Dog Food27.8% proteinSolid Gold Hund-N-Flocken Lamb Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinBil-Jac Hearty Stew with Beef & Barley Small Chunk Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Weight Care Dry Dog Food27.8% proteinBlue Seal EnTrust Healthy Senior Formula Dry Dog Food28.1% proteinBlue Seal EnTrust Sensitive Stomach & Skin Formula Dry Dog Food27.0% proteinBlue Seal EnTrust Healthy Adult Formula - Lamb & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food24.7% proteinWellness Complete Health + Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food32.2% proteinPurina ONE Skin and Coat Dry Dog Food29.5% proteinVictor Classic Lamb and Rice Formula Pâté Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinVerus Canine Chicken & Rice Paté Formula Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinVictor Classic Chicken and Rice Formula Pâté Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinVerus Canine Fish & Potato Paté Formula Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinAbound Wild Beginnings Lamb & Beef Dinner Pate Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinHalo Holistic Healthy Grains Chicken Recipe Adult Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinWellness Complete Health Paté Chicken & Sweet Potato Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinWellness Complete Health Lamb & Sweet Potato Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinWellness Complete Health Paté Puppy Chicken & Salmon Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinOpen Farm Digestive Health Wild Pollock Recipe Dog Food Topper31.1% proteinNature’s Recipe Original Stew Lamb, Rice & Barley Recipe Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinNutriSource Chicken & Rice Small & Medium Breed Puppy Wet Dog Food43.2% proteinNutriSource Senior Chicken & Rice Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinNutriSource Chicken, Lamb & Ocean Fish Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinNutriSource Chicken & Rice Puppy Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinNutriSource Beef & Rice Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinNutriSource Turkey & Rice Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinNutriSource Lamb & Rice Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinZignature Inception Fish Recipe Food Can Wet Dog Food27.3% proteinZignature Inception Pork Recipe Food Can Wet Dog Food29.5% proteinBlue Life Protection Formula Homestyle Recipe Senior Turkey Vegetable Dinner Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinBlue Homestyle Recipe - Fish & Sweet Potato & Garden Vegetables Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinPurina ONE Beef & Barley Tender Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinBlue Baby Blue Puppy Chicken Vegetable Wet Dog Food34.6% proteinBlue Wilderness Turkey & Chicken with Grains Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinBlue True Solutions Mobility Support Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinPurina ONE Vibrant Maturity Turkey & Barley Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinCesar Wholesome Meals Chicken, Carrots, Barley & Green Beans Wet Dog Food68.8% proteinCesar Warm Bowls Roasted Chicken Entrée With Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli Wet Dog Food52.8% proteinCesar Warm Bowls Chicken & Beef With Vegetables Entrée Wet Dog Food52.8% proteinNutriSource Chicken Puppy Dry Dog Food28.9% proteinBlue Baby Blue, High-Protein Chicken Puppy Dry Dog Food40.0% proteinBlue Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Mobility Support Dry Dog Food33.3% proteinThe Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Lamb Clusters Dry Dog Food26.2% protein

Our read // On the bag

Read its position, then judge the food

Barley high on the list means the recipe relies heavily on grain starch; check the named protein and fat around it. Mid-list barley is ordinary. Judge the complete food and your dog's stool. Do not buy a barley recipe for a promised blood sugar or stool benefit.

On labels as

Other names for this

Manufacturers do not all use the same wording. These all mean the same thing.

Ground Barley Organic Barley Organic Ground Barley

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Evaluation of Selected High-Starch Flours as Ingredients in Canine Diets Journal of Animal Science, 1999 // Journal
  2. 2 Barley as an alternative to rice in dog food Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 2017 // Journal
  3. 3 Effects of pea with barley and less-processed maize on glycaemic control in diabetic dogs British Journal of Nutrition, 2018 // Journal
  4. 4 Dietary modulation of gluten sensitivity in a naturally occurring enteropathy of Irish setter dogs Gut, 1992 // Journal
  5. 5 Barley grain Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2012 // Database
  6. 6 Barley grain Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2016 // Database
  7. 7 Gluten and Food Labeling U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  8. 8 Chemical Contaminants U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  9. 9 Reading Labels AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  10. 10 FISH OIL AND BARLEY SUPPLEMENTATION IN DIETS FOR ADULT DOGS: EFFECTS ON LIPID AND PROTEIN METABOLISM, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY, FECAL QUALITY, AND POSTPRANDIAL GLYCEMIA University of Kentucky, 2011 // University
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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