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OK, But Is Grain-Free Food Actually Linked to Heart Disease?

While the connection between grain-free diets and DCM has become more well known, the reason behind the link still isn’t 100 percent clear. The somewhat confusing conclusion: It’s not the lack of grains in a diet that seems to cause an issue; the ingredients used in place of grains appear to be the culprit (but not all of them). Pulses — a group of legumes that includes peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans — appear to be most concerning.

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 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.

Articles of Interest

Against the grain? Research studies point out possible shortcomings of grain-free pet diets

Some of you might be curious over information that a grain-free diet for your pet might not be the best thing since sliced bread after all. And maybe you’ve already figured out that grain-free pet food is a marketing concept and not a scientific one.

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. Additionally, agency records show that for the initial study, some vets were instructed to submit only dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cases that implicated grain-free, “exotic” or “boutique” pet foods. Suppliers of ingredients used in grain-free dog foods have also exerted pressure on the FDA to protect their market.

Do grain-free diets cause heart disease in dogs?

The theory that grain-free dog food causes heart disease in dogs is a popular topic due to the increased incidence of diet-associated cardiomyopathy in recent years. You may be surprised to learn the veterinary community is still working to understand how grain-free feeding and heart disease are connected, if at all.

How canine heart disease was tied to grain-free dog food

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, acting on input from a group of veterinary researchers, began investigating whether the increasing popularity of grain-free dog foods had led to a sudden rise in a potentially fatal heart disease in dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy. Four years later, the FDA has found no firm link between diet and dilated cardiomyopathy. Nor has it rejected such a link, and research is ongoing. Publicity surrounding this issue, nevertheless, has shrunk the once-promising market for grain-free dog foods.

Please Stop Buying Your Pets Grain-Free Food

Veterinarians are increasingly concerned about health risks posed by the grain-free pet-food craze.

Popular Grain-Free Dog Foods May Be Linked to Heart Disease

Bison and chickpeas. Wild boar and sweet potatoes. Kangaroo and lentils. These are just a few of the spectacularly popular selections of “grain-free” dog food that have deluged the pet food market in recent years.

Pulses in dog food not linked to heart problems

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.

Until more science is available, FDA will end public updates on potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy

Agency says the adverse events reported, by themselves, do not provide sufficient data to establish a causal relationship.

What Is DCM In Dogs And Can Pet Food Cause It?

The legumes in a lot of grain-free foods could be the issue.

What You Need to Know About Grain-Free Dog Food

Until such time that a potential link between feeding grain-free and DCM is disproven, consider switching your dog to a more traditional, grain-containing diet. In fact, many of the cases in the FDA report improved their heart health and function with treatment, including a transition to a grain-containing diet.