![]() ![]() If you have been feeding one of the implicated diets, or your dog has a breed genetic predisposition to DCM such as Golden Retrievers (regardless of diet), it’s important to recognise the clinical signs of cardiomyopathy. What Are The Signs That My Dog May Be Affected By DCM? The FDA has named the following brands as being frequently named when diet was examined in the DCM cases:ĭog food brands that are most frequently reported to FDA as causing DCM. What Foods Cause Food-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Dogs? Ingredients implicated in DCM cases reported to FDA. It appears that lentils and peas seem to be the most common legumes implicated. This indicates that these BEG diets may be interfering with taurine metabolism or absorption. While we do recommend taurine testing to check whether a dog is deficient, we now know that some dogs with sufficient levels have developed DCM. We do know that Taurine is involved, but it is not as simple as a taurine deficiency. Listen To Dr Stern Describe The Problem Of Grain-Free DietsĪs mentioned above, it’s not as simple as adding taurine to a diet, even though we know that taurine seems to be implicated.Ĭanine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the name given to a disease of the heart muscle where it becomes thin and flabby, resulting in an inability to pump blood adequately through the vascular system often resulting in congestive heart failure or sudden death.Īs the FDA has already said, the problem that we are seeing is complex and we are not entirely sure of the mechanism that is causing these dogs that eat a BEG diet to then develop DCM. Veterinary nutritional experts believe that the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors.ĭue to a surge in dogs succumbing to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the smart thinking of the University Of California, Davis veterinary cardiologist Dr Stern who first suspected a link between these dogs and grain-free BEG diets, the FDA has been and is currently investigating a possible link. Nutritional testing of diets doesn’t occur and research is non-existent.Īs a result, we are seeing more situations where diets are being implicated as causing major health issues for our dogs. Pet food is big business, many companies are merely a marketing face with no degree qualified veterinary nutritionist employed by the pet food manufacturer. The pet food industry is highly unregulated and sadly, this means that anyone can design a pet food and sell it to unsuspecting dog owners. ![]() In this article, we will discuss the latest developments and what this means for you when choosing quality dog food. ![]() Many dogs also have normal taurine levels. While we know that taurine appears to be the main amino acid involved, taurine supplementation alone is not solving this nutritional problem. This is resulting in either a nutritional deficiency and/or an inability to absorb taurine or perhaps associations with other dietary factors causing toxicity. Many of these grain-free BEG diets include an ingredient list that is based on legumes such as lentils and chickpeas or potatoes rather than grains. Whilst the exact mechanism is still unknown, current research suggests that it isn’t just a taurine deficiency that is at play in these commercial diets from boutique companies that contain exotic ingredients or are grain-free (BEG diets). Globally, dogs are dying or becoming very ill from a canine heart disease that is known as taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy. ![]() Grain-Free & BEG Diets Causing Taurine Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy ![]()
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