TO GO GRAIN FREE – OR NOT – THAT IS THE QUESTION

Are you one of the many pet parents who is trying to decide whether or not to switch from a grain free diet based on a recent FDA study? 

From Pawsitive Alliance Board member, Tammy Halstead: 

I’m a pet parent that switched to grain free for my pugs, and saw a remarkable improvement in their skin allergies. Then on June 27th the FDA released a status report on their investigation into the potential connection between certain diets and pet foods many labeled as "grain-free," which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds, and/or potatoes as main ingredients, and cases of canine heart disease. I want to make the right decisions for my best friends, so does this mean I should stop feeding grain free?

The following information has been provided by our friends at Petcurean:

As per the FDA’s release, it’s important to note that the FDA does not yet know how certain diets may be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in some dogs. Here are a few key points outlined in the FDA’s latest update:

• To put this issue into proper context, the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that there are 77 million pet dogs in the United States. As of April 30, 2019, the FDA has received reports about 560 dogs diagnosed with DCM suspected to be linked to diet.
• It’s important to note that the reports include dogs that have eaten grain-free and grain containing foods and also include vegetarian or vegan formulations. They also include all forms of diets: kibble, canned, raw and home-cooked. Therefore, the FDA does not think these cases can be explained simply by whether or not they contain grains, or by brand or manufacturer.
• Tens of millions of dogs have been eating dog food without developing DCM.
• Different dogs have different nutritional needs based on a number of factors, so nutrition advice is not one-size-fits-all.
• The prevalence of reports in dogs eating a grain-free diet might correlate also to market share: these products have become exceedingly popular over the last several years.
• At this time, the FDA is not advising dietary changes based solely on the information they have gathered so far. If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s health or its diet, the FDA suggests that you consult your veterinarian, who may consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, for individualized advice that considers your dog’s specific needs and medical history.
• The FDA will continue to investigate and will provide updates to the public as information becomes available

 
We all need to do our homework and understand the nutritional needs of our own dogs.  To help you we have provided a link to the FDA Q&A as well as a blog from the Nutrition Team at Petcurean which is regularly updated as new information from the FDA studies is received.
·  FDA Q&A
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fda-center-veterinary-medicines-investigation-possible-connection-between-diet-and
 
·  Petcurean DCM Update:
,https://www.petcurean.com/blog/diet-and-dilated-cardiomyopathy-dcm-in-dogs/

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