Grain Free Dog Food Health Issues and Your Dog's Safety

Grain free dog food has been touted as a healthier option for our furry friends, but it's not without its risks. Some grain free dog foods have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease in dogs, with a study finding that these foods can lead to a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.

Feeding your dog a grain free diet can also lead to a deficiency in certain nutrients, such as taurine and L-carnitine, which are essential for heart health. These deficiencies can be particularly problematic for large and giant breed dogs.

While some grain free dog foods are made with novel protein sources like venison and salmon, others may be made with low-quality ingredients that can cause digestive issues in dogs. In fact, one study found that grain free dog foods were more likely to contain low-quality protein sources than traditional dog foods.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Is High Protein Dog Food Good for Dogs

Taurine is an amino acid found in meat that was initially suspected in cases of dog DCM 30 years ago, similar to its role in cat DCM.

Commercial cat foods were found to be deficient in taurine, leading to its addition to the food which effectively eliminated cat DCM.

Certain diets high in lamb, rice bran, or fiber, particularly beet pulp, and very low-protein diets have been associated with canine taurine deficiency.

Veterinary cardiologists started noticing higher than usual numbers of dogs with DCM in 2018, with many of these dogs eating boutique, exotic-ingredient, or grain-free diets.

Boutique diets are produced by small companies without nutritional testing facilities, while exotic-ingredient diets use unusual sources like kangaroo or duck.

Grain-free diets replace grains with potatoes or legumes as a carbohydrate source, but no study has shown them to be superior to grain-inclusive diets.

Worth a look: Health Extension Grain Free Dog Food

The FDA got involved in the investigation of grain-free dog food health issues after receiving reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating these diets.

In July 2018, the FDA announced it had found sufficient evidence to investigate, and by November 2018, Freeman and her collaborators issued a commentary in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The FDA received reports of 553 dogs with DCM from January 2018 through April 2019, compared to previous years that ranged from zero to three dogs.

These reports included 95 Goldens, 62 mixed-breeds, 47 Labrador Retrievers, 25 Great Danes, and more than 50 additional breeds with more than one report.

The FDA report lists 16 dog-food companies that had 10 or more cases of DCM associated with their food.

The FDA has been studying the diets of these dogs and found that more than 90 percent of the diets were grain-free, and 93 percent of the diets contained peas or lentils.

The FDA has also tested these foods and found that they contained the same average percentage of protein, fat, taurine, and taurine precursors as grain-containing products.

In an unpublished study of 24 Goldens with confirmed DCM and low taurine, all but one dog had substantial cardiac improvement after a diet change and the addition of supplemental taurine.

Between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM (515 dogs, 9 cats), and most reports were submitted after the FDA's first public alert in July 2018.

The FDA is investigating a potential link between grain-free dog food and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is a serious condition that affects a dog's heart.

Between January 1, 2014, and April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM in dogs, which is a significant number. Most reports were submitted after the FDA's first public alert in July 2018.

The majority of dogs affected by DCM were on grain-free diets, with 90% of the reported cases involving such foods. Peas and/or lentils were also common ingredients in these diets.

Dogs that were taken off a diet containing peas, lentils, or potatoes and started on special amino acid supplementation (Taurine) showed improvement in their condition. This suggests a possible link between these diets and DCM.

DCM is not a rare condition in dogs, but the reports of it occurring in breeds not typically prone to the disease are unusual.

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Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart condition that decreases the heart's ability to pump blood, has been increasingly diagnosed in dogs. Veterinary cardiologists noticed this trend in breeds without a known genetic predisposition, prompting the FDA to investigate.

Discover more: Does Grain Free Food Cause Heart Problems in Dogs

In 2019, the FDA examined labels of dog food products reported in DCM cases and found that more than 90 percent of foods reported were grain-free. This suggests a potential link between grain-free diets and DCM.

The FDA's report also identified 13 dog food brands that were named 10 times or more in reports submitted through April 30, 2019. These brands included Acana, Zignature, and Taste of the Wild.

Dog owners should be aware of this alert from the FDA and consult with their veterinarian to weigh the pros and cons of their dog's diet. A grain-inclusive diet may be a safer option for some dogs.

Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, emphasizes that the relationship between DCM and grain-free diets has not yet been proven and may be due to other common ingredients found in BEG diets, such as exotic meats, vegetables, and fruits.

To monitor your dog's health, you can use the FDA's Safety Reporting Portal to report cases of dogs and cats with DCM suspected to be linked to diet.

If your dog eats a BEG diet (boutique companies, exotic ingredients, or grain-free diets), they should be closely monitored for any signs of heart disease by your veterinarian or even a veterinary cardiologist.

More than 90 percent of foods reported in DCM cases were grain-free, according to the FDA's July 2019 update. Over 93 percent of reported foods contained peas and/or lentils, and 42 percent contained potatoes/sweet potatoes.

Some dog food brands have been named in reports submitted through April 30, 2019, including Acana (67 reports), Zignature (64 reports), and Taste of the Wild (53 reports). These brands are not necessarily the cause of DCM, but rather may be associated with it.

The FDA encourages pet owners to report cases of dogs and cats with DCM that they suspect to be linked to diet by using the Safety Reporting Portal.

Now that you've learned about the different types of special diets and their health implications, it's time to think about what you can do next.

If you're considering starting a special diet, consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best approach for your individual needs. They can help you create a personalized plan that takes into account your health goals and any underlying medical conditions.

A well-planned special diet can be a powerful tool for improving your overall health, but it's not a quick fix. It takes time and effort to make lasting changes to your eating habits and lifestyle.

Some special diets, such as the keto diet, can be quite restrictive, so it's essential to make sure you're getting enough of the nutrients you need to avoid nutrient deficiencies. The keto diet, for example, requires careful planning to ensure you're getting enough fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Don't be afraid to seek support from friends, family, or online communities if you need help sticking to your special diet. Having a support system in place can make a big difference in your success.

Regular monitoring of your health markers, such as blood sugar levels or cholesterol levels, can help you track the effectiveness of your special diet and make any necessary adjustments.

Additional reading: Is Grain Food Good for Dogs

If your dog is on a special diet, it's essential to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure they're getting the nutrients they need. Your veterinarian can help you monitor your dog's health and catch any potential issues early on.

If your dog eats a BEG diet, they should be closely monitored for any signs of heart disease by your veterinarian or even a veterinary cardiologist. If your dog has a food allergy, there are alternatives to grain-free diets and exotic ingredients that have no known health risks.

Consider reading: Food Diet for Dogs

The grain free dog food craze has been around for a while, but it's time to take a closer look at the facts. Many pet owners have switched to grain-free diets for their dogs, but some experts are sounding the alarm.

Some grain-free dog foods have been linked to a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart condition that can be fatal.

The FDA has investigated over 500 reports of DCM in dogs eating grain-free diets, including some that contained peas, potatoes, and other non-traditional ingredients.

These reports have been linked to a significant increase in DCM cases since 2014, when grain-free diets started gaining popularity.

Some grain-free dog foods have been found to contain high levels of taurine, an amino acid that's essential for heart health, but in some cases, the levels were so low that they could be considered toxic.

The FDA has also found that some grain-free dog foods contain excessive levels of copper, which can be toxic to dogs in large quantities.