While the FDA has listed the top 16 dog foods reported in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy, keep in mind that the chart is not a complete list of the pet foods reported. Your veterinarian is the best source of advice on what to feed your furry friend to help keep it healthy and happy.
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One year ago the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to dog owners about a potential connection between diet and a disease called dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM. It is one of the most common causes of heart failure in certain large dog breeds, but reports to the FDA showed DCM occurring in breeds not usually prone to the disease, including some mixed breeds. The one common factor in the reported cases seems to be a diet high in things like peas, lentils, legume seeds - often the main ingredients in “grain-free” dog foods.
Several of the animals had low blood levels of the amino acid taurine. Taurine deficiency can lead to DCM, and the FDA suspects that grain-free foods containing peas, lentils and legumes may cause the reduction of taurine levels in pets.
Now, in an update published two weeks ago, the FDA says 320 DCM reports were made in all of 2018, but during the first four months of this year almost two hundred reports have already been made including a small number involving cats.
The FDA report contains a chart of the 16 dog food brands most frequently named in connection with the DCM cases reported. More than 90% were “grain-free” and contained peas and/or lentils. Check the FDA website to see if your pet’s food is included on the list. Even better, check with your veterinarianfor recommendations about the best diet for your own furry friend.
How would you know if your pet might be suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy? Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, reduced energy – if your buddy can’t play like it used to, or chase the ball, or gets winded easily, it’s time for a visit to the doctor. If your veterinarian suspects your pet may have DCM linked to its diet, report it to the FDA.
We all want to do what’s best for our four-footed friends, including feeding them a healthy diet. But for dogs (and even cats), “grain-free” may not be a good choice, especially when we’re speaking of pets.
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