Is Grain Free Dog Food Still Causing Heart Disease?

By Dr. Andrew Jones February 10, 2023 0 Comment

Dog Food and Heart Disease: Here’s What You Need to Know for 2023

The FDA recently released an update on a type of heart disease in dogs known as Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its potential link to dog food. In this article, I’ll break down the most important things you need to know about this issue, including the latest findings, and what it means for your dog.

DCM Cases: The Numbers

As of July 2020, 1,100 dogs were reported to the FDA as developing DCM linked to diet. In the last two and a half years, an additional 282 dogs were reported, bringing the total to nearly 1,400 dogs. When compared to the approximately 80 million dogs in the United States, these numbers are quite small.

The FDA’s Initial Report: 2018

In 2018, the FDA specifically named several grain-free dog foods as being most likely associated with DCM. However, in their most recent update, the FDA chose not to name any specific brands. This leaves us with the question: what should dog owners like you and me do with this information?

What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

DCM causes the heart to become thin and dilated, leading to heart failure because the heart can no longer contract properly. In veterinary practice, DCM was always considered a severe disease with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

Historically, DCM was linked to genetics. We often saw it in breeds such as Dobermans, Great Danes, Wolfhounds, and Boxers. However, it began to show up in Golden Retrievers, a breed where it was previously unheard of. This prompted researchers to look deeper into diet as a possible cause. Some dogs were found to recover from DCM when supplemented with taurine, an essential amino acid.

Should You Be Concerned?

Researchers at Tufts and other universities have concluded that diet-associated DCM does exist. It’s not just a grain-free issue—both grain-based and grain-free diets have been implicated. There are three key ingredients that have come under scrutiny:

Peas
Lentils
Chickpeas (yes, the same chickpeas loved by lemurs!)

Looking for a safe and effective Omega 3 solution?

Try Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Omega 3 Krill Oil—naturally sourced, toxin-free, and packed with essential EPA and DHA to support your pet’s overall wellness.

Boost your pet’s health naturally with Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Omega 3 Formula, featuring 100% Natural Antarctic Krill Oil. This formula supports skin health, brain function, liver and kidney function, joint mobility, anxiety relief, heart health, and immune system strength, all while offering better absorption and purity than traditional fish oil supplements.

The Research: Conflicting Studies

A retrospective study from the University of Missouri looked at the rise in grain-free dog food and correlated it with DCM. Surprisingly, they found no clear correlation. On the other hand, Tufts University has drawn a connection between certain ingredients—especially peas—and DCM.

So, what’s going on? One theory is that diets high in peas and pea protein may inhibit taurine absorption. Peas contain phytates, and dogs, being carnivores, lack the enzyme phytase needed to break them down. As a result, these phytates can bind to certain minerals, possibly leading to taurine deficiency. Without enough taurine, dogs can develop DCM.

That said, most dogs that eat peas or pea protein are completely fine. In fact, I’ve fed kibble containing peas to my own dogs in the past.

Should You Change Your Dog’s Diet?

If you make homemade food and occasionally add peas as a veggie, that’s perfectly fine. But if peas, lentils, or chickpeas are a mainstay in your dog’s diet, you might want to mix things up. Consider rotating in other veggies like carrots or spinach.

The Bottom Line: Should You Be Worried?

After reviewing all the research, I’ve come to the conclusion that yes, there is a link between diet and DCM. However, the chance of your dog developing DCM related to diet is incredibly small. Last year, there were around 100 cases of diet-associated DCM, and with 76 million dogs in the U.S., that’s a mere 0.0013%.

If your dog is doing well on their current diet, there’s no need to rush to make a change. However, if you’re feeding kibble, consider rotating it every few months and look for options with fewer pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas). In my experience, these ingredients don’t add much nutritional value to your dog’s diet, and given the potential risk, it’s worth cutting back on them.

My Recommendations:

Feed Less Kibble: Try to reduce the amount of kibble and incorporate more canned food or homemade meals. Once a week, Tula (my dog) gets a homemade stew, and I’ll link some of my favorite recipes in the description.
Consider Feeding Raw: If you’re open to it, raw food can be a great option for some dogs.

Final Thoughts on DCM and Diet

Yes, DCM related to diet is still an issue, but the risk is very small. There are ongoing studies, and some results are conflicting. The key ingredients most implicated are peas, lentils, and chickpeas. As always, if there are any further updates, I’ll keep you informed.

Thank you for reading this edition of Veterinary Secrets. If you want more updates like this, don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell. You can also download my free e-book by clicking the link below.