Consult with vet on risks of grain-free diet for dogs
I have heard that grainfree diets are now associated with heart disease in dogs. My little corgi has been eating grain-free foods for almost her entire life. The last thing I want to do is to cause her to have heart problems. Is there any truth to these reports? My dog has always been healthy, and I intend to keep it that way. If I do need to change diets, is there anything you would recommend? The grain-free discussion started a short while ago after the FDA released a warning about the possibility of dogs developing a condition known as DCM, or dilated cardiomyopathy, when following grain-free diets. The breeds that are genetically linked and known to develop DCM include Doberman pinschers and boxers, more than any other breeds. Apparently there have been some cases of breeds, such as golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, not typically associated with DCM developing it when fed grain-free diets and diets with some novel proteins like kangaroo meat. Boutique diets that list potatoes and legumes as key ingredients may also be linked to the condition. At this time, there has not been a finalized research study to conclusively link grain-free diets to DCM, but such a study is ongoing at such veterinary schools as Tufts, and there might be a link. What is not known is whether this can develop over short or longer periods of time on such diets. Some, but not all, replacement diets have corrected some of the DCM cases. In some cases of DCM, an amino acid known as taurine was found to be deficient, and its lack in the diet may be associated with causing the problem. Supplements with taurine have also been known to help correct DCM. At this time, it is not yet fully understood what is involved, so people should not jump to conclusions or change diets just yet. That said, there is no literature, per se, that supports grain-free diets as being better for dogs. Your dog’s wild cousins, like wolves, coyotes and foxes, eat prey that may consume grains, and it is natural for them to therefore consume the grains as well. Years ago, raw diets were all the rage. Now it’s grain-free and organic diets. The best advice I can give is consult with your veterinarian, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Keep an eye out for signs associated with DCM such as cough, lethargy, difficulty breathing and collapse. If you have any concerns, your veterinarian should be able to diagnose and treat whatever problem develops.