DCM: What Pet Owners are Being Told Depends on the Source

We recommend if the pet was on a brand of food listed by the FDA, that taurine levels are checked to make sure the dog is not low in taurine, as low taurine has been linked to DCM in dogs on grain-free diets...

What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common acquired heart diseases in dogs. This disease is rarely diagnosed in cats or small-breed dogs; however, it is a common cause of heart disease in large and giant breed dogs, and usually occurs more in those that are middle-to-older-aged.

Are Peas in Common Dog Foods Contributing to Canine Heart Disease?

At this time, the FDA is not advocating that pet owners discontinue using any specific brand. But studying legumes may lead scientists to the root cause.

Did Industry Funding Influence an FDA Investigation into Canine Heart Disease and Grain-Free Dog Food?

A six-month investigation by 100Reporters has found that veterinarians who prompted the FDA to consider diet have financial and other ties to the leading sellers of grain-inclusive pet foods.

Diet and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) In Dogs

Overall, it is important to remember that “correlation does not equal causation”. Not all grain-free diets are nutritionally equal, and it is likely misguided to point fingers at single ingredients or the “grain-free” aspect of diets as the cause of heart disease in dogs. The evidence shows that the issue is complex with both genetic and dietary factors likely being involved in the development of canine DCM. While FDA researchers work to uncover science-based facts and compile a comprehensive report, and additional research is ongoing to investigate the extent of potential diet-related heart problems in dogs, we recommend contacting your veterinarian with any concerns about your pet’s health.

Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?

Diet-associated DCM first came to light in cats in the late 1980s1 and in dogs in the mid-1990s.2 The association between diet and DCM in dogs has generally not been much in the news since the early 2000s, but over the past few years, an increasing number of DCM cases involving dogs appear to have been related to diet.

FDA pet food investigation: What to know about diet-related heart disease

Since the Food and Drug Administration first warned about a possible link between a potentially fatal canine heart condition and “grain free” pet foods in 2018, owners and veterinarians have continued to report cases of dogs developing diet-related dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM.

FDA’s DCM probe starts with a roar, ends with a whimper

The investigation into any role grain-free pet food might play in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy seems to be ending in a rather quiet, inauspicious way.

Incidence of Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy Diagnosed at Referral Institutes and Grain-Free Pet Food Store Sales: A Retrospective Survey

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is considered a predominantly inherited disease in dogs. Recent reports suggest an increased incidence of DCM in atypical breeds eating grain-free and/or legume-rich diets. Emerging communications have noted that there is an apparent increase in the DCM incidence rate in the United States (US). However, little data regarding the incidence of DCM are currently available.

Incidence of canine dilated cardiomyopathy, breed and age distributions, and grain-free diet sales in the United States from 2000-2019: A retrospective survey

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is considered a predominantly inherited disease in dogs. Recent reports suggest an increased incidence of DCM in atypical breeds eating grain-free and/or legume-rich diets. However, little data regarding incidence of DCM within the US is available; and no existing data quantifies DCM among breeds over time.

Is Your Dog’s Food Breaking Her Heart? An Inside Look at Grain-Free Diets and Heart Disease

The link between diets containing legumes and exotic meats and DCM is still unclear, but research continually exposes new theories.

Shedding light on the heart disease grain-free pet food conundrum

One potential culprit in these cases is the lack of the amino acid taurine in grain-free pet foods. However, the WSU statement notes that while taurine deficiency may play a role in the identified DCM cases, “it is unclear whether taurine deficiency is a cause or merely an association with yet unknown other dietary components.” Some breeds may be more sensitive to changes in nutritional components in their food, which may suggest breed-related differences in metabolism.

What Happens If My Dog Has DCM?

Luckily, though, this disease can be managed (and sometimes reversed!) if you can recognize the signs early enough and get your pup the right treatment from your vet.

‘Peas of Mind’: Pulse Ingredients in Dog Food Not Linked to Heart Problems, Says New U of G Research

Ingredients such as lentils, beans and field peas typically used in grain-free dog foods are safe for healthy dogs, according to new University of Guelph research. It’s a reassuring finding for dog owners worried about grain-free diets, which have surged in popularity and now make up almost half of the dog food market in Canada.