The association of grain-free diets and Heart Disease in dogs.

Diet is an important factor in your pets life. A proper diet is what gives them the building blocks to live long and healthy lives. Grain-free diets for dogs are marketed as healthy and nutritious for our pets. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in cases of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. DCM is a disease that effects the muscles of the heart and causes them to not pump effectively. This, over time, leads to an enlarged dilated heart and ultimately congestive heart failure. Preliminary research into why there was an uptick in the number of cases of DCM found a common link: each of these dogs was being fed a boutique brand, grain-free, or exotic ingredient diet (BEG). Initial studies posited that there was a deficiency of taurine in these diets. However, recent studies have shown that not every dog diagnosed with DCM had low taurine levels. These BEG diets are supplemented with high amounts of legume vegetables (peas and lentils), and exotic ingredients which is causing the food to be nutritionally unbalanced for our pets.

The companies making these BEG diets use marketing to produce sales. They do not perform the necessary testing to back the claims stated on the label. While the actual cause of DCM in these dogs fed BEG diets is currently unknown, changing to a non-BEG diet has reversed the disease process in the heart. The doctors and staff at Beach Animal Hospital are advising that our clients choose a food that is not grain-free, is backed by research, and is WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) approved. There have been cases of DCM diagnosed in dogs fed raw, vegan, vegetarian and homemade diets as well. Therefore, these diet choices are not considered safe alternatives. Safe diet options would be from the companies such as Hills, Purina, Royal Canin, Eukanuba and Iams These companies perform routine nutrition research and feeding trials to ensure their diets are nutritionally balanced to correlate with what their labels claim.

If you are currently feeding a grain-free, boutique, or exotic ingredient diet currently, it is recommended you consult with your veterinarian on the best diet for your pet. If you notice your pet becoming more tired with exercise, weak, lethargic, coughing, or has a collapsing episode, consult with your veterinarian as these can be signs of DCM.

While all the current research is in canines, it is thought that the same issues can occur in felines and we well start to see cases in the near future. It is recommended to avoid BEG diets in cats as well.

Helpful links:

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Selecting-the-Best-Food-for-your-Pet.pdf

https:ccah.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk4586/files/inline-files/UPDATEDucd-diet-and-dcm-handout.pdf