Grain Free Foods for dogs
Mar 22, 2019 10:07:13 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
The FDA launched an investigation into potential links between canine heart disease and diet — specifically grain-free diets. We’ve compiled the information you need to know to understand this recent development.
What is the FDA Investigating?
It is easy to jump to conclusions anytime we see an FDA headline about pet food. After all, our dog’s health is essential to us, and we know that diet can make a big difference in a dog’s well-being. We reached out to Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the AKC, to hear his thoughts on the investigation.
“The FDA is investigating a potential dietary link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain grain-free pet foods. The foods of concern are those containing legumes such as peas or lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes listed as primary ingredients. The FDA began investigating this matter after it received reports of DCM in dogs that had been eating these diets for a period of months to years. DCM itself is not considered rare in dogs, but these reports are unusual because the disease occurred in breeds of dogs not typically prone to the disease.”
After the advisory, 149 new cases of DCM were reported to the FDA.
What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a type of canine heart disease that affects the heart muscle. The hearts of dogs with DCM have a decreased ability to pump blood, which often results in congestive heart failure.
Some breeds, especially large and giant breeds, have a predisposition to DCM. These breeds include Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and Saint Bernards. While DCM is less common in medium and small breeds, English and American Cocker Spaniels are also predisposed to this condition.
When early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicated that recent, atypical cases in breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus all consistently ate grain alternatives in their diets, the FDA took notice.
Should you be Concerned About Grain-Free Diets?
According to Dr. Klein, “At this time, there is no proof that these ingredients are the cause of DCM in a broader range of dogs, but dog owners should be aware of this alert from the FDA. The FDA continues to work with veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the effect, if any, of grain-free diets on dogs.”
In the Dec. 1 version of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, provided an update to the research on DCM and emphasized the issue is not just grain-free diets. She calls the suspected diets “BEG” diets (boutique companies, exotic ingredients, or grain-free diets).
“The apparent link between BEG diets and DCM may be due to ingredients used to replace grains in grain-free diets, such as lentils or chickpeas, but also may be due to other common ingredients commonly found in BEG diets, such as exotic meats, vegetables, and fruits,” Freeman wrote.
Freeman emphasizes that although there appears to be an association between DCM and BEG diets, the relationship has not yet been proven, and other factors may be equally or more important.
As a general rule of thumb, the best thing you can do for your dog’s dietary health is to consult your veterinarian, not the internet. Together you can weigh the pros and cons of your dog’s diet and if necessary monitor your dog for signs of DCM. Cases of DCM in dogs related to a specific diet can be reported to the FDA via their Safety Reporting Portal.
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In addition to the heart problems, there are a lot of reported problems with fertility in brood britches which are not coming in season or coming in season for two or three days then going out of season and are therefor unbreedable. Our close friend in terriers ran into that problem for two years and went back to Purina ProPlan, and has been able to get two b***hes to have litters since then. She has talked to a large number of other show breeders with the same problem. She still had 5 30 pound bags of the grainfree when she went back and gave the bags to a humane society rescue group. After all, infertility in unwanted dogs is helpful, at least until they can be spayed and placed in forever homes.
What is the FDA Investigating?
It is easy to jump to conclusions anytime we see an FDA headline about pet food. After all, our dog’s health is essential to us, and we know that diet can make a big difference in a dog’s well-being. We reached out to Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the AKC, to hear his thoughts on the investigation.
“The FDA is investigating a potential dietary link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain grain-free pet foods. The foods of concern are those containing legumes such as peas or lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes listed as primary ingredients. The FDA began investigating this matter after it received reports of DCM in dogs that had been eating these diets for a period of months to years. DCM itself is not considered rare in dogs, but these reports are unusual because the disease occurred in breeds of dogs not typically prone to the disease.”
After the advisory, 149 new cases of DCM were reported to the FDA.
What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a type of canine heart disease that affects the heart muscle. The hearts of dogs with DCM have a decreased ability to pump blood, which often results in congestive heart failure.
Some breeds, especially large and giant breeds, have a predisposition to DCM. These breeds include Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and Saint Bernards. While DCM is less common in medium and small breeds, English and American Cocker Spaniels are also predisposed to this condition.
When early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicated that recent, atypical cases in breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus all consistently ate grain alternatives in their diets, the FDA took notice.
Should you be Concerned About Grain-Free Diets?
According to Dr. Klein, “At this time, there is no proof that these ingredients are the cause of DCM in a broader range of dogs, but dog owners should be aware of this alert from the FDA. The FDA continues to work with veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the effect, if any, of grain-free diets on dogs.”
In the Dec. 1 version of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, provided an update to the research on DCM and emphasized the issue is not just grain-free diets. She calls the suspected diets “BEG” diets (boutique companies, exotic ingredients, or grain-free diets).
“The apparent link between BEG diets and DCM may be due to ingredients used to replace grains in grain-free diets, such as lentils or chickpeas, but also may be due to other common ingredients commonly found in BEG diets, such as exotic meats, vegetables, and fruits,” Freeman wrote.
Freeman emphasizes that although there appears to be an association between DCM and BEG diets, the relationship has not yet been proven, and other factors may be equally or more important.
As a general rule of thumb, the best thing you can do for your dog’s dietary health is to consult your veterinarian, not the internet. Together you can weigh the pros and cons of your dog’s diet and if necessary monitor your dog for signs of DCM. Cases of DCM in dogs related to a specific diet can be reported to the FDA via their Safety Reporting Portal.
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In addition to the heart problems, there are a lot of reported problems with fertility in brood britches which are not coming in season or coming in season for two or three days then going out of season and are therefor unbreedable. Our close friend in terriers ran into that problem for two years and went back to Purina ProPlan, and has been able to get two b***hes to have litters since then. She has talked to a large number of other show breeders with the same problem. She still had 5 30 pound bags of the grainfree when she went back and gave the bags to a humane society rescue group. After all, infertility in unwanted dogs is helpful, at least until they can be spayed and placed in forever homes.
Mar 22, 2019 10:52:39 #
Do you have a link for this?
I disagree with consulting a veterinarian. In general they know precious little about what dogs need in their diet and most of them sell junk food. More and more are even condoning selling vegan food for dogs which is downright cruelty.
Something that is not taken into consideration here is the decline of health in dogs in general. Dogs are genetically weaker than ever which predisposes them to more illness. The health of the lines the dogs are from should be considered as well to be a more meaningful study.
If people want grain free they should feed raw - the natural diet.
I would encourage people to indeed search the internet and not just talk to a vet. There are vets online that freely share feeding information as well.
One source is not enough these days.
I disagree with consulting a veterinarian. In general they know precious little about what dogs need in their diet and most of them sell junk food. More and more are even condoning selling vegan food for dogs which is downright cruelty.
Something that is not taken into consideration here is the decline of health in dogs in general. Dogs are genetically weaker than ever which predisposes them to more illness. The health of the lines the dogs are from should be considered as well to be a more meaningful study.
If people want grain free they should feed raw - the natural diet.
I would encourage people to indeed search the internet and not just talk to a vet. There are vets online that freely share feeding information as well.
One source is not enough these days.
Mar 22, 2019 11:44:48 #
no propaganda please wrote:
The FDA launched an investigation into potential l... (show quote)
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I also blame commercial pet food for the increase in diabetes among both dogs and cats.
Commercial pet food is much higher in carbs than their systems are designed for.
Dogs and cats systems are designed for a high protein diet, not carbs.
Mar 22, 2019 11:51:43 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
Rose42 wrote:
Do you have a link for this? br br I disagree wit... (show quote)
Personally I put much more trust in dog breeders and trainers to pay attention to what is happening with dogs and what diet changes can do to improve their lives and well being.
By the way, the domestic dog has a different digestive system than do wild dogs, and different breeds have different requirements.
Mar 22, 2019 12:04:25 #
no propaganda please wrote:
Personally I put much more trust in dog breeders and trainers to pay attention to what is happening with dogs and what diet changes can do to improve their lives and well being.
By the way, the domestic dog has a different digestive system than do wild dogs, and different breeds have different requirements.
By the way, the domestic dog has a different digestive system than do wild dogs, and different breeds have different requirements.
I agree with that. In many ways breeders and trainers know a lot more about dogs than vets.
The best diet I've seen is the raw diet - though it takes some education. I've fed it for years and mine have all thrived on it. My dogs eat whole chickens - feathers and all, in addition to chicken backs, necks and some tripe. A dog that has good genetics will do fine.
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