In 2018, pet owners and the dog food industry panicked after the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) published a study with precursory findings that dogs, and perhaps especially Golden Retrievers, may be developing canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) as a result of being fed a grain-free diet. People often feed their dogs grain-free diets because their pets have skin issues; dog owners in that situation were at a loss for what to do. Meanwhile, the “boutique dog food” industry was outraged.
Since then, many organizations have conducted studies to figure out why grain-free diets were correlated with such a spike in the number of dogs diagnosed with DCM. Research is ongoing.
Let’s break down what DCM is, how a grain-free diet may cause it, and whether it is a cause for concern.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is the degeneration of the heart muscle. As the muscles of the heart weaken, it becomes a less efficient pump, losing its ability to fully contract and expand to pump blood throughout the body. Dogs can then develop either a heart murmur or irregular heartbeat. Symptoms may include a swollen belly, general weakness or inability to exercise, collapsing or fainting, persistent coughing or gagging, restless sleep, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. In severe cases, DCM can result in sudden death.
DCM, at one time, was thought to be strictly genetic. The condition was seen in large dogs more often than small ones. It was known to occur in Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers, and Irish Wolfhounds. In 2018, veterinarians noticed an uptick in the amount of DCM cases they were seeing in breeds like the Golden Retriever and mixed breeds that had not been previously associated with being genetically predisposed to the disease. The common thread among these dogs was the grain-free diet. So the question then became what exactly is in the grain-free formulas that is causing dietary-related DCM.
Several universities, dog food companies, and the FDA have studied this since 2018 and have identified possible links. One thought is that the amount of taurine (an amino acid associated with heart function) was incorrect in the “boutique” protein grain-free diets. Tufts University’s study found that the most common thread among these grain-free diet brands was the amount of “pulses” found in these diets versus grain-inclusive diets. Pulses include peas, legumes, lentils, chickpeas, and beans. Some of the diets linked to dietary DCM also include potato and sweet potato. They may also be a link. However, in general, it is agreed that the pea is the most used of the pulses. No one has been able to figure out why exactly the addition of peas to these diets may cause DCM.
The FDA has stated that they will not comment on the grain-free diet/DCM issue unless they uncover the absolute link. This does not mean that dogs are not still suffering from dietary DCM. It just means that, as of now, no one knows whether or how feeding dogs a grain-free diet, which may include a high amount of peas, may be causing dietary DCM. Many of the companies that make grain-free diets have also voluntarily changed their formulas.
DCM is an irreversible condition. The outlook of a dog’s survival depends on many factors, most importantly, how damaged the heart is. Many dogs that eat grain-free diets do so because of skin conditions. You should not panic if you feed your pet a grain-free diet, and it certainly does not mean your dog will end up with a heart condition. However, if you have any concerns, talk with your vet. Get a yearly physical for your dogs so that any changes in the heart can be detected early and may ease your mind.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
