What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the thinning of the heart muscles which results in decreasing the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body. DCM is often seen in large and giant breed dogs and so there is thought that it may be hereditary or genetic in nature. Low blood taurine levels have been the cause DCM in some cases.
During the 1980’s until now there has been keen interest at looking at Non-Hereditary DCM. The much-publicized DCM concern arose in July of 2018 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced to the public that they were launching an investigation into the reports of an increase in DCM in Golden Retrievers eating grain-free foods with legumes and potatoes included.
The FDA Investigation into DCM
Many veterinarians, news media, and social medial misinterpreted the announcement and began communicating that grain-free foods were causing DCM. As updates were communicated out from the FDA, they incriminated grain-freed foods without any peer-reviewed scientific evidence to support their accusations.
These FDA accusations had destructive economic, emotional, and health consequences. Those included were manufacturers, retailers, farmers, suppliers, Pet Guardians, and their pets.
The FDA Announcement
On December 23, 2022, the FDA made a small announcement added to the top of their previous website report on DCM stating, ‘The information received did not support a causality between DCM and any of the reported foods”. The FDA also communicated out that they do not intend to release any further updates until there is “Meaningful new scientific information to share.”
This shows that there is no link between DCM and grain-free foods or their ingredients. The intent of this communication was to close the door on the DCM issue.
There is Still No Peer-Reviewed Scientific Information to Base This DCM Claim On
Newer peer-reviewed scientific information and a review of over 150 previous scientific papers could find no link between grain-free foods and DCM.
To this day, many veterinarians are warning Pet Guardians to move away from grain-free foods against logic and scientific reasoning.
It is time to let go of the concern and misinformation out there about grain and non-grain dog foods and get back to feeding biologically appropriate pet nutrition, animal protein focused, healthy foods to help our dogs thrive and to live long and healthy lives.
