DCM and Canine Diet: Essential Information
In 2018, concerns regarding a potential link between dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dog food precipitated alarm among pet owners. This stemmed from an article published in the Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association, expressing apprehension over the connection between grain-free diets and DCM.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintained that pet owners did not need to alter their dogs' food based solely on the existing information. The FDA suggested that pet owners communicate with their veterinarian if they had concerns or questions about their dog's diet or health. However, the initial panic resulted in many pet owners immediately changing their pets' food from grain-free options.
Alison Schwartz, the general manager of All Pets Considered in Greensboro, North Carolina, notes the impact on sales.
DCM affects the heart muscle in dogs, stretching it out and making it harder for the heart to pump and contract. Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, weight loss, coughing, increased heart rate, and collapse. The disease can be fatal. Remarkably, breeds like Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers have higher rates of DCM.
Dr. Angela Rollins, a veterinary nutritionist and clinical associate professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, explains that DCM can be related to dietary deficiency. Some dogs may improve with a dietary change. However, it's premature to single out grain-free food as a cause of DCM, according to Dr. Rollins, as more research is necessary.
The FDA received 515 reports of dogs diagnosed with DCM between 2014 and 2019, with 320 cases reported in 2018 alone. Many of these cases involved multiple pets from the same household. Although DCM is not uncommon in dogs, the report stated that some of the cases were worrisome because they occurred in breeds not traditionally predisposed to the disease.
The case reports also listed the pet food brands being fed to dogs diagnosed with DCM. More than 90 percent of foods implicated in the reports were labeled as grain-free and contained high percentages of peas, lentils, and sweet potatoes.
Since its initial report, the FDA has conducted product testing on grain-free dog food brands mentioned in the reports and compared the results to other dog foods containing grains. Initial results indicated that both kinds of food, grain-free and foods with grain, had similar nutritional contents.
In June 2019, the FDA released an update stating that they would continue to investigate and gather more information in an attempt to identify whether there is a specific dietary link to DCM. They will provide updates as this information becomes available.
In September 2020, the FDA participated in the Scientific Forum Exploring Causes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs. At this forum, representatives from the FDA explained that many dogs experiencing resolution of their DCM did so in response to a dietary change, but additional research is necessary and ongoing.
An August 2021 investigation found that peas had the most significant link to compounds that could potentially be tied to DCM. The FDA concluded in December of 2022 that they would not release any further updates on this topic unless new information was received. They stated that the reported cases "do not supply sufficient data to establish a causal relationship with reported product(s)" and that there may be multiple factors involved in these cases of DCM.
Pet parents are inquiring whether there is a strong link between grain-free dog food and DCM. Dr. Rollins states, "We don't have very good research right now." Researchers have been evaluating whether a lack of taurine, a known cause of DCM in cats, could play a role in DCM in dogs.
The cause of DCM in dogs is often unknown, but diet has been proposed as a factor. Taurine, a sulfonic amino acid used to make proteins, is prevalent in animal-based proteins. Grain-free diets prioritize protein-rich legumes over animal proteins. This mixture might provide sufficient protein for dogs, but legumes are also high in fiber, which could interfere with taurine reabsorption.
As the FDA's investigation continues, it remains uncertain whether there is a connection between grain-free dog food and DCM. The focus is shifting toward understanding how specific ingredients, not just the absence of grains, and individual pet genetics may interact to affect heart health.
Pet owners are advised to consult with their veterinarian if they have concerns regarding their dog's diet or health. The Pet Food Institute (PFI) advises that the FDA has not recommended a change in diet for healthy dogs. However, some veterinarians recommend considering a dietary change until more findings are available, particularly in cases where a dog has a genetic predisposition to DCM.
- Although the exact link between grain-free diets and DCM is still under investigation, some veterinarians advise considering a dietary change, especially for dogs with a genetic predisposition to the disease.
- The FDA continues to study the potential connection between grain-free dog food and DCM, focusing on how specific ingredients and individual pet genetics might affect heart health.
