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

[Anonymous]

Personally, my dog had too many tummy issues when I tried a grain-free food. She seems to do best with the standard Iams from the grocery store.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/dog-heart-disease-linked-food-fda-says-n891011

"Dogs fed "grain-free" food based on peas, lentils or potatoes are developing an unusual condition that can cause an enlarged heart, the Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday.

The condition, called canine dilated cardiomyopathy, is more common in certain breeds, but it’s turning up in breeds that are not usually susceptible, the FDA said."

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

It says main ingredient but doesn't specifically say first ingredient so I'm wondering if it's these grain free brands that just replaced corn with one of these other ingredients as the second or third ingredient.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

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.

People like to trash talk including corn in dog food but that extra bulk makes my dog's digestion so much calmer. We've tried a few different "Grain Free" foods over the years (for months on each one to give him time to adjust) and it's always a mess with lots of bathroom emergencies and accidents, etc. "Crappy" or "cheap" dog food with corn in the ingredients? Two solid predictable poops a day with no softness or mucus or other issues and no middle of the night emergency bathroom trips.

[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.

People like to trash talk including corn in dog food but that extra bulk makes my dog's digestion so much calmer. We've tried a few different "Grain Free" foods over the years (for months on each one to give him time to adjust) and it's always a mess with lots of bathroom emergencies and accidents, etc. "Crappy" or "cheap" dog food with corn in the ingredients? Two solid predictable poops a day with no softness or mucus or other issues and no middle of the night emergency bathroom trips.

OP here. That is exactly what happened when I tried a grain-free food for my dog. Bless her heart for waking me up for the middle of the night emergencies, but she was clearly not at her best. After a month on the new food, I went back to the Iams and she was much better in a day.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

Dogs can (and probably should) eat a pretty varied diet and get on fine. If you feed your dog all meat and include nothing else, you will end up with a very sick dog. If you want to make your own raw or cooked meals for your pets, that's fine, (I used to cook for my old dog due to his allergies) there are a ton of resources to help you put together a balanced diet. Commercially prepared foods are pretty convenient, though, and all meet AAFCO guidelines at minimum, so there is that.

[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.

Dogs can (and probably should) eat a pretty varied diet and get on fine. If you feed your dog all meat and include nothing else, you will end up with a very sick dog. If you want to make your own raw or cooked meals for your pets, that's fine, (I used to cook for my old dog due to his allergies) there are a ton of resources to help you put together a balanced diet. Commercially prepared foods are pretty convenient, though, and all meet AAFCO guidelines at minimum, so there is that.

+1. Dogs are omnivores, not pure carnivores the way cats are.

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for posting this info, OP. May have to switch our dog to a different food.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

To a PP: dogs aren’t pure carnivores.