During the summer of 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a release to the public regarding a possible link between grain-free dog foods and a type of heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Considering grain-free dog foods have dominated the pet industry for several years now, and the majority of dogs in North America are fed grain-free foods, this release was immediately followed by panic and uncertainty among dog owners far and wide.
Unfortunately, the viral nature of the FDA’s inquiry has led many in the pet industry to jump to conclusions, quick to demonize all grain-free pet foods, along with the companies that make them.
The FDA’s investigation into DCM and grain-free diets is certainly causing a great deal of concern among pet owners in North America. We are fielding questions on a daily basis from apprehensive pet owners looking for guidance and support on this issue. Since its beginning, we have been following the FDA’s investigation very closely.
Why is the FDA Investigating Grain Free Dog Foods?
In July 2018, the FDA released an alert to the public regarding the possible connection between grain-free pet foods and heart disease – specifically dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This release was made public after a significant increase in the number of reported dogs diagnosed with DCM over the last five years. From January 1, 2014 to April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reported cases of pets with DCM; 515 were dog reports, and 9 were feline.
On June 27, 2019, the FDA released a list of sixteen pet food brands, and their possible connection with canine heart disease. In this release, which implicates many of today’s best-selling pet foods, the FDA also stated “the FDA doesn’t yet know how certain diets may be associated with DCM in some dogs”. Many found this release to be premature, and the question that was on the minds of many pet owners was why release a list like this without any conclusive evidence to back up these claims?
This is the primary reason why pet owners are so frightened and confused when it comes to this FDA investigation; they are not sure what to do and it is making their heads spin. Now, droves of pet owners are ditching grain-free diets for grain-inclusive alternatives. As more information is released by the FDA over time, hopefully we will develop a better understanding of the connection between grain-free dog foods and heart disease.
What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?
DCM is a potentially fatal form of heart disease that causes the upper and lower chambers of the heart to enlarge, resulting in the weakening of the heart muscle. This disease causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, and compromises the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body. DCM can lead to congestive heart failure.
There are many dog breeds known to have genetic predispositions to DCM, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, St. Bernards, Cocker Spaniels, English Setters, and Great Danes. Of all the dogs included in the FDA’s investigation, upwards of thirty-percent were breeds with DCM predispositions.
Symptoms of DCM include: decreased energy, lethargy, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chronic loss of appetite, and persistent cough. There are medications available to temporarily help the heart’s performance, however, by the time these symptoms are present, the disease is typically at an advanced stage.
What is Taurine?
At the centre of the FDA’s investigation is taurine. Taurine is an amino acid with many important roles, most notably normal heart function. Insufficient levels of taurine increase the risk of developing heart disease, like DCM.
Healthy dogs are capable of synthesizing taurine naturally from other amino acids found in dietary proteins, mainly methionine and cysteine. This is why, for dogs, taurine is not considered to be a mandatory nutrient. One of the reasons why many large breed dogs are predisposed to DCM may be due to their lower metabolic rate, which may affect taurine production in the body. Cats, on the other hand, require taurine supplementation as it cannot be adequately synthesized within the body.
It is important to note that many dogs diagnosed with DCM have perfectly normal blood taurine levels, and contrarily, many dogs with low taurine levels show no signs of DCM whatsoever. This alone implies the investigation into DCM is a complicated problem involving many metabolic factors and is far from being fully understood.
What Role Do Grain-free Dog Foods Play In The FDA’s Investigation?
The FDA’s investigation began after increased incidences of DCM were reported among pet owners in the United States. One of the common factors among these reports is the high percentage of DCM-afflicted dogs on grain-free diets, and diets containing carbohydrate-rich ingredients like peas, lentils, and potatoes. This possible connection is what has caused so much sensation among the dog-owning community, resulting in concerned dog owners abandoning grain-free dog products altogether. It is important to note that the FDA has documented DCM in dogs on diets containing both grain-free and grain-inclusive ingredients.
When it comes to DCM, there is still much to be learned, and the truth is nobody really knows (yet) if any combination of these ingredients causes DCM. It is estimated that of the 77-million dogs in the United States, 0.5%-1% have dilated cardiomyopathy, with 0.1% suspected to have diet-related heart disease, however this has yet to be scientifically proven. Despite the FDA’s best efforts to date, there has been no conclusive, causative scientific evidence linking DCM to grain-free diets.
One of the primary theories up to this point is it may not be the grain-free component that is the problem, but rather the inclusion of certain plant-based ingredients commonly found in popular grain-free dog foods. It is suspected that high concentrations of ingredients like peas, legumes, lentils, and potatoes may negatively interact with the canine body’s ability to produce and/or process taurine, possibly leading to taurine deficiencies. Many find this interesting, because in the FDA’s investigation, not one vegetarian or vegan dog food was implicated. These entirely plant-based diets contain some of the highest levels of peas, lentils, and potatoes.
There are many layers to this investigation that have not yet been fully studied. Whether it’s genetic predispositions, dietary factors, or something we are not yet aware of, there is no reason at this time to make any drastic changes to your dog’s diet until there is conclusive evidence. The best thing a dog owner can do to protect their pooch from DCM is to ensure their dog is on a diet consisting of unprocessed whole foods; high in protein and rich in amino acids, particularly cysteine and methionine. Naturally rich sources of these amino acids include turkey, chicken, fish, eggs, and beef.
What To Do If You’re Concerned About Your Dog Eating a Grain Free Dog Food?
If you are concerned that a grain-free diet, or a diet containing peas, lentils, or potato is not suitable for your dog, there are plenty of healthy alternatives. Consider First Mate’s Grain Friendly Chicken & Oats or NutriSource Lamb & rice, for example. Dog owners have the luxury of choosing among several high-quality, Canadian-made pet foods that are grain-inclusive, and do not contain peas or lentils. If you would like to further discuss your options with regards to DCM-friendly dog foods, we are happy and eager to help.
With that said, if you suspect your dog may have symptoms of DCM, please see your veterinarian immediately. In many cases, symptoms of DCM are not visible until the pet is already critically ill. Regular veterinary checkups are incredibly important, and should not be overlooked. Remember, Canadian Pet Connection is an independent, family-owned company specializing in pet nutrition for almost thirty years. We do not have any biases towards recommending one type of food over another. We help our clients find the right products based on their unique individual needs.
One friendly word of caution: Be wary of Veterinary offices (or anyone else for that matter) claiming there is evidence linking certain pet food brands to DCM. To the FDA’s own admission, there is still no proven connection between any grain-free pet food and dilated cardiomyopathy. Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that certain vet clinics in North America are taking advantage of their position in hopes of promoting their own veterinary-exclusive products. Some clinics have even gone as far as demonizing specific popular pet food brands, and may be manipulating their clients’ trust for monetary gain. Learn more here. That’s not to say all Veterinary offices are doing this, but please be aware of anyone using this predatory practice.
Facts first. Opinion second.
We are at your service if you would like to discuss food options for your pet.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Press Release Library:
- Champion Pet Foods (Acana and Orijen) DCM Press Release
- The Honest Kitchen DCM Update
- Petcurean (Go!, NOW, Spike, Summit, and Gather) DCM Article
- Horizon Pet Foods DCM Press Release
- FirstMate & Kasiks DCM Statement
- ZiwiPeak DCM Update
- V-Dog/ V-Planet DCM Press Release
- Bixbi Rawbble FAQ’s on DCM
- Stella & Chewy’s Addressing the DCM Concern
- Primal Pet Foods The Heart of the Matter Regarding Grain Free Diets
- Diamond Pet Foods/ Taste of the Wild Statement on DCM
- Open Farm Our Commitment to Pet’s Health & The FDA’s Update on DCM
- Natural Balance FAQ’s on Taurine
- NutriSource/ Pure Vita
- Merrick Pet Care’s Response to the FDA and DCM
- Carna4 Pet Foods DCM Press Release
My 8 year old husky was just diagnosed with nutritional DCM. She ate grain free Acana and Open Farm all of her life. I was aware of the possible association of DCM and grain free foods but when looked into it was skeptical of the association and chose to keep feeding her foods I felt good about. I definitely regret it now and feel quite confused as to what is right to feed her. The vet has recommended she eat Purina, Royal Cabin or Science Diet, as these are the only companies that do the AAFCO feeding trials. I was so weary of these foods in the past, as the ingredients just don’t seem very good. Nevertheless, I have switched her to Purina Pro Plan, as there has been some evidence to show that dogs can improve with a diet change and supplementation. I am really praying for her to improve, she is my best friend in the world and I feel terrible thinking I could have caused her to have this condition. I understand people are skeptical and I don’t claim to know what is right, but it can happen and I think people should be aware that it is still an ongoing issue so they can make the best choices for their pets.
Hello, Liz. Thank you for your post.
I’m truly sorry to hear about your husky’s diagnosis with nutritional DCM. As a loving pet owner myself, I understand how difficult this is for you.
It’s important to recognize that while concerns have been raised about grain-free diets and DCM, definitive scientific proof linking the two has not been established. Nutrition and health are highly individual, and what might be an issue for one dog may not be for another. Many dogs with nutritional DCM do show improvement with dietary changes, so there’s hope for your best friend.
Thank you for sharing your story. Wishing your husky a speedy recovery.
Hello,
I have a chihuahua she’s 8 months old. Just recently we noticed she was scratching at her ears and they were getting scratched and Red.she also has been licking her paws more too, what are your thoughts on probiotics?
( possible yeast buildup) I should ad the vet gave her an allergy shot ( cytopoint) recently to try and see if environment allergies were a factor before we do a food trial .
Hello, Toni. Thank you for posting.
This is a subject that has many layers. I am happy to help you with this issue, however it is best to start a dialogue as I have several questions that need to be answered before I can give you any advice. Please contact me at brandon@canadianpetconnection.ca. I look forward to hearing from you!
I am looking for a large sized kibble puppy food without meal ingredients, with grains? I am not sure about grain free diets, and have decided to include healthy grains until the controversy blows over. My dog is a German Shorthaired Pointer, and has energy plus. I am located in Ontario, Canada.
Hello, Martin. Thank you for your post.
With regards to “meal” ingredients, it is important to know that “meals” do not reference any level of quality. “Meals” are simply dry rendered products from a combination of flesh and skin with and without accompanying bone. Some “meal” ingredients can be among the highest quality in the industry, whereas others may be much the opposite. This is important to know, as many of today’s best pet food manufacturers use meal ingredients in their products. I think what scares people is the idea that “meals” are of a lesser quality, when in fact, this term does not reference quality.
With regards to the notion that grain-free diets cause dilated cardiomyopathy, it is been widely accepted that diet is not a significant contributing factor as DCM is an inherited disease. To get better clarity on this issue please refer to the following article:
DCM Incidence in Dogs Remained Flat with No Correlation to 500% Growth of Grain-Free Diet Category Over Nearly a Decade
I hope this helps provide a better understanding of the subject.
To answer your original question, I am not aware of any large-sized puppy food that does not contain meals in a grain-inclusive format.
Hello from Montreal, I am presently fostering a wonderful dog, lab mix, who came from Lebanon 3 weeks ago. He is about 25 kg, skinny, ribs protruding, hip bones as well. he eats 3-4 cups of kibble a day, (don’t know the brand ) He is always hungry, his bathroom habits are erratic and his fesses mostly too liquid. Can you recommend a good name not too expensive, as I am taking care of him for an unknown period.
Thank you.
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Hello, Graciela. Thank you for reaching out. I am happy to help.
Two of my best recommendations based on the information you provided include:
FirstMate Grain-Friendly line of chicken, lamb, fish, and duck.
Acana Classics line of poultry, red meat, and fish blends.
I hope this is helpful!
Hi Brandon !
Hope you can steer me in the right direction before I go to my Vet. I have a 18 month old German Shepherd who is showing signs of allergies cropping up. First sign is yeast in the ear but now it’s the opposite ear. I went through bad allergies with my previous gsd and the vet put him on Royal Canin Gastrointestinal diet script. Well, that was worse and the vomiting was awful. I took him off of it and put him on the Canadian Naturals Turkey and Salmon all life stages. He did great and even gained weight. I thought I would do the same for my new Shepherd but it’s not working for him. I then did a pet wellness life scan cause I didn’t want to go down the same path with my previous shepherd. Yikes ! The results showed so many sensitivities and now I’m on the hunt for a new food. I came across your article and here I am. I can send you a copy of his scan results if you like. I was told by my trainer to try Acana duck and pear but I can’t afford to feed him that. Is there anything more affordable on the market that I can buy ? I’m no good with reading labels cause they say there’s a trick to it and the vet techs keep asking if he is on grain free. I’m stumped as to what food to switch to. I can’t even get out to the pet food stores cause we are still on lockdown in my area. I’m in the Niagara Region. The kids in the stores have no idea either.
Any help would be appreciated, Cheryl
Hello, Cheryl. Thank you for reaching out with your comments and questions. I am happy to help to the best of my ability.
Solving allergies in dogs can be tricky; the more information we have, the better able we are to find long term solutions.
The first step in this process is reducing variables, and the easiest way to do this is to simplify the diet with a limited ingredient diet. By simplifying the diet, you are reducing your variables considerably.
Next, you want to consider the proteins your dog has had prior exposure to and focus on new proteins your dog has not had before. The lower the exposure the better. Every dog is exposed to different foods, so what is hypoallergenic to one dog may not be to another. It is all about individual exposure to proteins. Popular low-exposure proteins include duck, venison, and pollock. Since allergies are immune responses to proteins, it may also be worthwhile considering a plant based diet for a period of time to determine whether your dog’s reactions are due to an animal protein. This is a very popular method of setting a baseline in food trials.
Remember, no matter what food you choose to feed, you must be consistent with all types of consumables during this food trial. This includes treats, snacks, people food, etc. This is one of the most common mistakes by pet owners; someone in the family may unknowingly compromise a dog’s food trials by feeding foods not conducive to their new hypoallergenic diet.
Once you have your pooch on a new hypoallergenic diet, evaluate your dog’s improvement over the next 6-8 weeks. If your dog’s symptoms worsen on this new diet during this time, then it would be wise to further simplify the diet and start over with a new protein source. In many cases, food allergies are not solved with the first food trial, but it will teach us a lot about where to go next. I would recommend keeping a food journal so you can keep track of the foods your dog is eating, along with notes and observations of his symptoms.
You also have to consider that your dog’s symptoms may not be food related, however since we have more control over diet it is generally the first thing we should rule out before entertaining factors like environmental allergies. There are many great supplements to help with environmental allergies, but that is a conversation for another time.
I am happy to help you find a new diet for your dog that meets your purchasing criteria. Please feel free to email me at brandon@canadianpetconnection.ca at your convenience.
I hope you find this information helpful, Cheryl.
Hi – I have a mix of Cavalier King Charles and Miniature Shetland 12 yr old dog. She’s been on Royal Canine most of her life because of bladder stone surgery and tendencies for that. She now has the last 8 months Congestive Heart failure. Wondering if she should stay on that or switch to another food that might help her now? Its very hard to find out info without getting confused and not all vets know about nutrition. She on vetmidin and an ace inhibitor and a diuretic as needed
Hello, Lynn. Thank you for posting.
I am sorry to hear about your dog’s medical conditions. Based on the information provided, I advise following your veterinarian’s recommendations.
Hey Brandon! First things first -Thank you!
I oversee 2 petstores and the whole thing with DCM has fusterated me. Not because of drop in sales because we sell a great portion of the brands that were listed, but because of the panic it caused to our customers. Customers, friends, family, I have helped for years, in a panic because of the prematurely release on this disease without all the facts. Then just to make it worse, the vets decide to jump on this wagon and add fuel to it. Telling people that their pet will get DCM unless fed vet prescription diets, but then the pets react badly to the change, causing them to be sick. And what do the vets do when the food is making the pet sick? Medicate *facepalm*
Thank you for making an article that is easy to read and understand.