Are Grain-Free Diets Harming our Dogs?

A message from our Publisher Trina Becksted:

This controversial topic of grains vs non is of particular interest to me. My exquisite Shiba Inu/ Chihuahua mix dog died of complications from an enlarged heart. He was on a grain free diet for years. His recent death was hastened and exacerbated by the pharmaceutical drugs the vet put him on. He quickly developed a toxicity to the diuretics and prescribed heart meds.

He is pictured here. Dexter, you were my beloved fur boy. Thank you for waiting 19 months in the loving care / foster-hood at Foothills Animal Rescue in Scottsdale, AZ where I found you.

Please read on and check with your vet about adding some whole grains to your fur child’s diet. My other dog is now getting raw oats, along with lean meats and vegetables mixed in his high quality dog food.

Thanks for reading and sharing with your loved ones who are great stewards of our sweet family member pets.

Preface

We often think about the food we put into our bodies as humans, but what about our adored pets? The ingredients in our dog’s food are worth paying attention to, especially the amount of grain that our dogs consume. Besides the dogs who need to be on a grain-free diet, incorporating grains into their diet is very beneficial, especially to their heart health.

Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Lack of grain in dog’s diet has been linked to a heart disease known as canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Canine dilated cardiomyopathy weakens the heart muscle thus making it more difficult for their hearts to pump blood and leading to enlarged hearts among dogs. Large dog breeds tend to be most affected along with those who feed their dogs a grain-free diet. The FDA conducted a study with veterinary cardiologists on the rising cases of this heart disease within dogs.

Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics stated that “The FDA cited the increased potential of heart disease in dogs subsisting solely on grain-free diets, turning back to the basics of dietary needs for omnivores” (2021). Additionally the FDA discovered that “Between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM (515 canine reports, 9 feline reports). Approximately 222 of these were reported between December 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019 (219 canine reports, 3 feline reports” (FDA, 2022) with many of these reports linking directly to grain-free foods.

Boutique dog companies and exotic grain-free diets could be to blame. Evidence has shown that lack of Taurine, an essential amino acid, can also lead to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Boutique dog foods and exotic diets like vegan and vegetarian regimes oftentimes do not include Taurine as an ingredient, thus leading to a higher chance that dogs will develop canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Dr. Michael Perchetti of Elko Veterinary Clinic notes that “Many byproducts that come from organ meat like kidney, liver and heart are very high in taurine and are often excluded from exotic diets” (Perchetti, 2021).

Resolution

Luckily, the way to avoid canine dilated cardiomyopathy in your beloved pet is simple – incorporate grain into their diet and refrain from boutique dog foods and exotic diets! Double check that your dog’s kibble does not lack any grain and consider adding safe and healthy grains like whole wheat, brown rice, barley, oats, and quinoa into their diets. Additionally, if your furry friend develops canine dilated cardiomyopathy from their diet, they can recover and reverse it with a proper diet – but be sure to always check with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet!