Grain-free dog foods and heart disease may have a connection, but the cause of the reported dilated cardiomyopathy cases in over 500 dogs is still unknown. Dog owners should be aware of the investigation and have a discussion with their veterinarian if they have been feeding a grain-free food or are concerned their dog may have dilated cardiomyopathy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated 515 reports of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs between January 2014 and April 2019, 219 of those reports happening since December, 2018. The FDA updated its question and answer portion about this investigation in August 2021. More than 20 percent of these dogs overall (119) had died at the time of the FDA's announcement. Prior to this large number of reports, only one to three reports of dilated cardiomyopathy were received by the FDA each year. There are likely more cases of DCM that have not been reported as diagnosis of the DCM can be complex and costly. The recent influx in reports has led to an investigation to determine what the cause of this serious heart disease might be. 91 percent of the reported cases between 2014 and 2019 involved grain-free foods, 93 percent of the dog foods that were reported contained peas and/or lentils in their ingredient lists, and 42 percent contained potatoes or sweet potatoes. Sixteen brands have been identified in 10 or more cases and the great majority were in a dry kibble form. Five brands, in particular, (Acana, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, and Earthborn Holistic) account for 48 percent of the cases, however some of these dogs were eating more than one brand of food.
Other dog food brands were also involved in the reported cases but had less than 10 cases associated with them. There are many different types of heart disease, but dilated cardiomyopathy is the specific heart disease that is being investigated. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurs when heart muscle becomes thin and stretched out and unable to pump blood as well as it should. Over time this causes the heart to become enlarged or dilated, and congestive heart failure can occur as a result. DCM is serious and can eventually cause death. Taurine (an amino acid) absorption and its synthesis from methionine and cysteine along with its excretion are being looked at as potential causes but other dietary factors are also being assessed. The amounts of protein, fat, moisture, crude fiber, total dietary fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, total starch, and resistant starch are also being looked at. Necropsies of deceased dogs from these cases are also being reviewed along with a multitude of laboratory testing for surviving dogs and questions for pet owners. It is unknown whether or not there is a causative link to the grain-free diets identified in this investigation or if it is coincidental. Genetics and environmental factors may play a role as well, but the investigation is ongoing. Since so many of the foods that were reported contained peas, lentils, potatoes and/or sweet potatoes, it is being speculated that one or more of these ingredients may be of concern. This is still only a speculation, since nothing has been confirmed. It is also possible that an increased awareness of the disease may be playing a role in more cases being diagnosed and reported.
If a dog owner is feeding a grain-free food or is noticing any worrisome symptoms in their dog, they should discuss their concerns with their veterinarian. A dietary change to a food containing grains may be recommended, taurine levels may be measured, and an echocardiogram may be performed to assess heart function after the veterinarian performs a full physical on the dog. If DCM is diagnosed after these tests are performed, a report should be filed with the FDA and medications and/or supplements may be recommended based on the findings to manage the disease. No one knows what is causing these reports of DCM in dogs, but since the majority of them involve grain-free foods, many veterinarians are recommending switching to grain-containing diets. Historically, dog diets have been formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of dogs. As marketing trends in humans shifted towards grain-free options, the pet food industry followed suit with new companies offering an expansive selection of grain-free dog foods. Many of these companies do not have veterinary nutritionists developing their foods, so there is concern for nutritional safety, such as what may be discovered during this DCM investigation. Until this investigation is complete, it is recommended that a dog be fed a food that has been developed by veterinary nutritionists, is made by a company with a long history of producing quality diets, and meets the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as determined by food trials.
There are many foods that are heart-healthy and can be used in your dog’s complete and balanced homemade diet, or added to existing commercial food diets to give your dog a boost! Below are some of my favorite heart-healthy foods to incorporate into my dog’s formulated recipes. Please note that if your dog has a heart condition you should work with your veterinarian on an appropriate diet or consult a canine nutritionist who is well-versed in the specific condition your dog has. Watermelon & Tomatoes- Both contain beneficial vitamins and minerals including lycopene which can be beneficial to the heart in reducing free radical damage. Lycopene is an antioxidant that has even shown to have some effects on fighting cancers in dogs. Check out this study on using lycopene with dogs who have osteosarcomas. There is some conflicting information on the use of the amino acid citrulline in dogs (whether it gets used or not in a dod’s body) but watermelon contains this amino acid which can help move blood through the body. Do not feed the seeds to dogs! Green Leafy Veggies- Another antioxidant boost that the heart appreciates comes from dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and swiss chard. All can be added to your dog’s diet and have a multitude of benefits beyond the heart as well! Be sure to steam the veggies or puree them before feeding to your dog. Whole Grains- Brown rice, oats, barley, buckwheat, and quinoa are all grains I formulate recipes with regularly. Not only do these grains provide much-needed nutrients for our dog’s hearts, but they also are a great source of minerals such as manganese and magnesium. Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries- Berries are another great source of antioxidants that the heart really appreciates. Loaded with vitamins and minerals as well as free radical fighters all it takes is a few berries added to your dog’s meal to provide a boost. Fatty Fish such as Salmon, Sardines, and Mackerel- There are so many benefits to feeding your dog fish with the main component being reduced inflammation. Many people use fish oils for this benefit but I also like to go to the source and include fish in many of my dog’s diets. I also have been really preferring high-quality cod liver oil over fish oil. Cod liver oil is not to be added to a dog’s diet without caution as it contains high amounts of Vitamins A & D which have safe upper limits for dogs. With that said, adding in some canned sardines in water to your dog’s commercial diets or feeding a few pieces of salmon are a great way to feed the source of these nutrient-dense fish. Organ Hearts from Beef, Ducks, Chickens, etc- Hearts whether raw or lightly cooked provide an array of nutritional benefits for dogs. The heart is a great source of protein, B-Vitamins, iron, and selenium. I often use heart in many of my recipe formulations as well.
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