We here at Berwick Animal Clinic know how much all of our dog parents care about their furry family members, especially when it comes to feeding them the best. Over the years, many new boutique brands and exotic ingredients have entered the market, making it even harder to determine what is the best thing to feed your dog. One of the most common diet fads for dogs we see is “grain-free”. While there is limited scientific information that grains are bad for dogs, we are now learning that “grain-free” could actually be making them sick.

You may have heard the FDA’s warning last year regarding a spike in cases of dogs with a deadly heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is a disease that is typically only seen in certain breeds, such as the Doberman Pinscher, but is now also being diagnosed in many other dog breeds. Some of these newly diagnosed dogs are found to be low in an amino acid called Taurine, but there are also dogs that have normal Taurine levels.

There are several studies being done at veterinary hospitals across the US into why these dogs are getting DCM. The cardiologists are currently finding that many of the recently diagnosed dogs were being fed some variety of boutique (small manufacturer), exotic ingredient (non-traditional protein sources), or grain-free diets. Cardiologists are recommending that if the diet you are feeding your dog includes any of the above, to consider changing the diet as your dog could be at risk.

Below are several great resources to learn more about Diet-related Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Please contact us if you would like to discuss recommendations for your dog’s diet!

Dr. Katie Huter

https://ccah.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/areas-study/genetics/nutritionally-mediated-dcm
http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/
https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm616279.htm