You may have heard about dogs getting heart disease from eating a grain-free diet. At Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, we’re keeping a close eye on the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) investigation into the potential link between canine heart disease and grain-free dog foods. We want to help keep our clients informed and our patients as healthy as possible.
Here’s what you need to know about grain-free diets and heart disease in pets.
What is the concern with feeding a grain-free pet food?
As grain-free pet foods have become more popular, vets across the country started noticing a potential connection between dogs who were eating a grain-free diet and developing a type of heart disease called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
In July 2018, the FDA began working with veterinary nutritionists and veterinary cardiologists to try to determine what might be causing this problem. So far, they’ve received more than 500 reports.
What do veterinarians know so far about grain-free diets causing heart disease in dogs?
Most of the diets included in the reports are labeled “grain free,” and affected pets have typically been eating them for several months or years.
The diets don’t contain wheat, corn, soy, rice, barley, or other grains but do contain a large amount of peas, lentils, other legumes, and/or potatoes in different forms (for instance, you may see “peas,” “pea protein,” or “potato flour” listed in the ingredients).
Another similarity is that many of the diets have been from smaller (boutique) pet food companies.
Which diets were named in the cases reported to the FDA?
Most of the reported diets are dry dog food, although some are wet, semi-moist, or raw foods.
The FDA posted an update at the end of June that includes a list of the dog food brands named most often in the reports.
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
This type of heart disease causes the heart muscle to weaken, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. The heart eventually becomes enlarged, and dogs with DCM often end up with congestive heart failure.
Dilated cardiomyopathy usually occurs in dogs who are genetically predisposed to the disease. These are often large and giant breeds like Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards, but Cocker Spaniels can also be affected.
Normally, DCM isn’t that common in medium-sized and smaller dogs (other than Cockers). However, dog breeds that aren’t prone to getting DCM are now being affected because of something related to the dog food they were eating.
What about cats? Do I need to worry if I’m feeding my cat a grain-free diet?
It seems less likely. Very few cats have been mentioned in these cases.
So can my pet get heart disease if I’ve been feeding grain-free food?
Possibly. Experts just don’t know enough yet about what’s causing heart disease in dogs who eat a grain-free diet. The investigation is ongoing, and we’ll update you when we know more.
Please don’t panic. Most dogs eat pet food without getting heart disease from it. In addition, diet-related DCM (such as in these cases) may be able to be improved. However, the risk is real. Not all cases of heart disease are reported to the FDA, so the numbers actually may be on the low side.
What if I still have questions?
If you’re interested in reading more, you can visit the FDA’s site here.
The Clinical Nutrition Service at Tufts University is also staying on top of this investigation. Click here for the latest update (from July).
What pet food do the veterinarians at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics recommend?
At Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, our vets recommend Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, or Royal Canin pet foods. We believe it is safest for pet owners to avoid feeding grain-free diets until we know the specifics about what’s causing heart disease in pets. Ask us for our pet food recommendation for your individual pet.
What should I do if I’m feeding my pet a grain-free diet?
Call to schedule an appointment. We can examine your pet at our Beaches or Westside locations, or at one of our mobile pet clinic stops on Saturdays.
