On June 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified 16 brands of dog food related to heart disease in dogs, updating its research on possible links between certain dog food formulas. without cereals and canine dilated cardiomyopathy.

The Lebanon Daily News tracks the issue of cereal-free foods and the relationship with DCM in recent months. Here’s what’s known about the FDA’s findings up to this point.

The ingredients found in some grain-free formulas are the focus

Not all foods or even all cereal-free formulas are at the center of the FDA report. From the beginning, research has focused on dry foods that include peas, lentils, legume seeds and potatoes in various forms (including sweet potatoes) as primary ingredients. A primary ingredient appears in the top 10 ingredients on the bag.

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Of the DCM cases confirmed that the FDA has studied to date, 91 percent of dogs were fed grain-free; 93 percent fed on peas and / or lentils; and 42 percent were fed products containing potatoes or sweet potatoes.

Most cereal-free formulas also contain an animal protein. However, no protein source was dominant in the findings.

According to the report, a small number of dogs (nine of the more than 500 reported cases) developed DCM while on raw food diets.

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Which brands of dog food are safer?

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Much of the reports on the latest FDA update noted the list of 16 brands that were most frequently identified in DCM cases. Acana topped the list with 67 cases, followed closely by Zignature (64), followed by Taste of the Wild (53), 4Health (32), Earthborn Holistic (32), Blue Buffalo (31), Nature’s Domain (29) and Fromm (24).

So what should you feed your dog?

One organization, the World Veterinary Association of Small Animals (WSAVA), which considers itself a “global veterinary community,” recommends brands such as Purina, Hill’s and Mars (which includes Eukanuba, Yams, Pedigree and Royal Canin). These brands often meet WSAVA criteria for healthy, balanced diets.

In general, WSAVA also recommends formulas that contain cereals when possible and that are only fed without cereals for health reasons prescribed by the veterinarian, which are uncommon.

The FDA still can’t explain why this is happening

There seems to be compelling evidence that certain cereal-free formulas and brands are bad for dog health. One point of contention, however, is the apparent lack of explanation for the cause.

DCM is often associated with an amino acid deficiency known as taurine. But dog bodies usually synthesize taurine on their own, although some breeds are prone to deficiencies. And many brands started inserting taurine and other supplements into the formulas, but DCM cases still persist.

The FDA has repeatedly described the potential connection between diet and DCM as “a complex scientific problem that can involve multiple factors.”

“The FDA is still gathering information to better understand whether (and how) taurine metabolism (both absorption and excretion) may play a role in these reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy,” the report says.

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The research has been underway for a year now

If this is your first time worrying about your dog’s food, keep in mind that this is not a single report. In fact, it was the third FDA bulletin since the federal agency announced its investigation in July 2018.

That is, this study has been working for a long time and is still ongoing after the last update. In fact, reported incidents have increased from a relatively small number of known cases to hundreds since the investigation was made public.

Dog owners with confirmed or suspected cases of dietary DCM are advised to notify the FDA through the agency’s electronic safety reporting portal or by contacting your state’s consumer complaint coordinators by telephone. .

Some breeds are genetically predisposed to DCM

Just because your dog develops a serious illness does not necessarily mean that it was caused by an environmental factor. On the contrary, some breeds are known to be susceptible to DCM based on their genetic makeup, such as Doberman Pinscher, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, and Cocker Spaniel.

Researchers are examining whether Golden Retrievers may also be genetically predisposed to DCM.

However, most dogs are not, making the variety of breeds with more than one case of DCM reported in the study (now more than 50) peculiar. The wide variation in breeds, including their different sizes, is in part how the FDA may come to the conclusion that food is a potential factor.

Few definitive conclusions drawn so far

Despite all the worrying evidence the FDA has presented so far, the investigators involved in the investigation still have limited information to continue and have been careful not to make conclusive statements about any findings.

The report notes that there are about 77 million companion dogs in the United States, but the number of confirmed DCM cases currently being monitored for this study is only hundreds.

This is not to say that there is no correlation between certain dog food formulas and heart disease. However, the small sample size may make the test difficult.

“We suspect that cases are not reported because the animals are usually treated symptomatically, and diagnostic testing and treatment can be complex and costly for owners,” the report says.

How to Protect Your Dog from DCM

DCM symptoms can be so mild at first that pet owners can escape until it’s too late. Dogs may develop a cough, have difficulty breathing (especially during exercise), become lethargic, or lose their appetite, although some seemingly healthy animals decline rapidly before showing any apparent signs.

If you are concerned that a cereal-free diet may have endangered your dog’s health, your veterinarian may try lower taurine levels.

Also check with your veterinarian on which dog food formulas are right for your pet. Again, some dogs follow cereal-free diets for legitimate health reasons, while FDA research focuses on formulas with very specific ingredients.

Did your dog eat cereal-free food and develop dilated cardiomyopathy? Share your story with [email protected]

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