Are Grain-Free Diets Safe for Your Dog?

The FDA announced it is investigating a potential connection between a specific type of heart disease and grain free dog foods containing legumes and or potatoes. Legumes include: peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans.

Dilated cardiomyopathy/DCM is a genetic condition of large and giant breed dogs that causes the heart muscle to weaken to the point it can no longer pump blood throughout the body. The 560 affected dogs in the investigation are of various sizes and breeds not previously reported to have a predisposition to this condition. All of these dogs, however, ate one of the grain-free legume based foods listed below.

Signs of this condition (DCM) that you may notice are: decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing or collapse. On exam, your dog may have a heart murmur, wet lung sounds and a large heart on x-rays.

Sporadic cases were first reported to the FDA in 2014. The vast majority of reports were submitted when the FDA notified the public about the potential DCM/diet issue in July 2018. Until the study is complete and more is known about what causes this condition, it may be best to switch to a formula that does not have legumes in the main ingredient. Continuing the same brand of food is fine, as only legume ingredients and a lesser extent potatoes, seem to be causing a problem.

If your pet has been on any of the diets above and you have concerns, please call our office at (513) 232-4550.

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