FDA warns an increase in canine heart disease might be linked to grain-free dog foods

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that people would feed their dogs something with peas or potatoes as the first ingredient is insane to me. I get that not everyone can afford or manage a raw or all meat type diet like what a true carnivore canine would eat.

Don't feed a dog like you'd feed a vegan human.

All commercial dog food is a blend of meat and starch. Nobody is saying that grain-free means vegan. It's more like a paleo diet which doesn't allow for processed grain. In this case, though, why mess with what has been working for decades? Purina got it right with their original Dog Chow.

My vet says Purina is garbage. I would never feed my dog garbage, even if I feed her a different food with grain.

It's not garbage. Did your vet recommend a specific brand? S/he is probably invested in the brand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, right, I believe that.
I wonder who funded that study - now that we’re in a trade war & no one wants our corn it’s even more important that your dog consume unnatural foods for him/her such as corn.

It's not study. It's an FDA warning based on information provided by veterinarians who noticed the connection. Pet food companies are not paying the FDA for this announcement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that people would feed their dogs something with peas or potatoes as the first ingredient is insane to me. I get that not everyone can afford or manage a raw or all meat type diet like what a true carnivore canine would eat.

Don't feed a dog like you'd feed a vegan human.

All commercial dog food is a blend of meat and starch. Nobody is saying that grain-free means vegan. It's more like a paleo diet which doesn't allow for processed grain. In this case, though, why mess with what has been working for decades? Purina got it right with their original Dog Chow.

My vet says Purina is garbage. I would never feed my dog garbage, even if I feed her a different food with grain.

It's not garbage. Did your vet recommend a specific brand? S/he is probably invested in the brand.

No, they both just said no Purina, it's garbage, and to feed higher quality.

[Anonymous]

Pro plan is purinas higher level brand. It’s often recommended by breeders and vets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pro plan is purinas higher level brand. It’s often recommended by breeders and vets.

Not mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro plan is purinas higher level brand. It’s often recommended by breeders and vets.

Not mine.

What do you feed your dog?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that people would feed their dogs something with peas or potatoes as the first ingredient is insane to me. I get that not everyone can afford or manage a raw or all meat type diet like what a true carnivore canine would eat.

Don't feed a dog like you'd feed a vegan human.

Grain free dog foods aren't vegan. Some of them are high-protein, but most have the same amount of animal protein but have other starches instead of corn or wheat. This includes rice, oats, barley, btw.

Vegans are so stupid.

Dogs are carnivores.

They need meat. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro plan is purinas higher level brand. It’s often recommended by breeders and vets.

Not mine.

What do you feed your dog?

Fromm small breed gold dry food, and I give her a variation of ground turkey/ scrambled egg/ carrots/ blueberries/ cauliflower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what do you guys feed your dog?

There are way too many options and our vet said it doesn’t really matter what we choose as long as it’s a high quality product.

I routinely cook for my dog - rice, chicken (thigh meat), peas and carrots. I also include in his treats - peanut butter, olive oil, eggs, sardines and peanut butter. I occasionally feed him homemade wheat tortillas with some fish oil. He loves it.

[Anonymous]

I feed my dog Wellness Complete (it's a chicken and oatmeal formula), and he seems to do just fine. He is a spaniel-pointer mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro plan is purinas higher level brand. It’s often recommended by breeders and vets.

Not mine.

Not mine, either.

Our dog eats Nulo.

FYI, vets and breeders have zero training in nutrition, and get perks from e.g. Science Diet to promote their brand.

[Anonymous]

I’d also bet that most of these dogs are no meeting the required exercise daily, and are the subject of poor breeding, of which cardiomyopathy is a concern.

And for the ones using “pure” carnivore, you mean “obligate” carnivore. Cats cannot manufacture their amino acids, and must have meat. Dogs can actually live on a vegan diet.

I’m willing to bet a lot of the grain free foods contain substandard ingredients, which is the cause of issues.

[Anonymous]

8:59 - veterinarian here. This is untrue. I completed a year-long nutrition course in veterinary school and regularly take continuing education classes on nutrition. This misinformation that vets receive no education about nutrition is perpetuated by boutique pet stores, who are the ones trying to make a profit off of selling you food that you cannot buy elsewhere. I do not get “perks” from pet food companies, nor am I “invested” in any pet food companies. Maybe I have received a free pen from Purina, or maybe even a mini chocolate bar at a Science Diet booth. I can sign up to receive discounted dog food from Purina and Royal Canin, but honestly, the food is less expensive on amazon or chewy than if I buy directly from the company. Please stop perpetuating these myths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our dog has lived a happy two years on nutro grain free with zero issues, but after reading this I’m contemplating a switch. Does anyone have experience with switching a dog off of grain free food? He’s a labradoodle and has never had diarrhea, so I don’t want to start now!

We have fed our dogs Nutro Natural limited ingredient Lamb and rice since they were puppies. The oldest is an 11 year old golden.

[Anonymous]

^As far as switching food goes, you basically add the new food in with their regular food, gradually increasing the amount of new food to regular food until they are eating just the new food. You can google the specifics on how to do this.