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FDA Finds No Evidence that Grain-Free Diets Are Causing Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Since 2018, Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has been a hot topic in the pet food industry, the veterinary community, the press and among pet owners. Although some veterinarians hypothesized there may be a potential association, there has never been a proven direct link (i.e., cause and effect) to grain-free foods (both over the counter or therapeutic) causing DCM in dogs including the FDA investigation.

Food Quality k9 Things Nutrition Research

by Nicole Cammack

Why Grain Free?

The benefit and necessity of grain-free pet food have come under scrutiny in recent years due to an FDA investigation due to a potential association with a canine heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). As a result of this potential association, many have been told there is no scientific evidence to support the use of grain-free foods in canines and felines, or that these foods do not provide any benefit over grain-inclusive foods. For the most part, grain-free refers

Nutrition Research

by Nicole Cammack

Grain – Free Diets & Heart Disease Update

Recent reports discussing the potential relationship between grain-free pet foods and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) have given pet owners and veterinarians alike a cause for concern. Pet owners and the veterinary community have been led to believe that some pet foods – particularly grain-free pet foods – are causing heart disease in dogs. However, the data buried within the FDA report tells a different story, one that is complex, without evidence showing a causative relationship between grain-free diets and heart disease.

Research

by NorthPoint Pets

June 2020: Journal of Animal Sciences Grain Free & Heart Disease Summary

Background & History of DCM Investigation In June of 2018 a blog titled “A broken heart: Risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients” was published on the Tuft’s University blog ‘Petfoodology’. This blog was followed by a commentary article in JAVMA causing increased media and public attention. It’s important to note that neither of these papers were peer reviewed, and the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) disseminated it as gospel. This is unfortunate considering 80% of veterinarians believe

Nutrition Research

by Nicole Cammack

Journal of Animal Science Article Full Summary, Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020

In June of 2018, Lisa Freeman, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist from Tufts University published a blog titled “A broken heart: Risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients.” This blog warned pet owners and veterinarians that ‘BEG’ (boutique, exotic, grain free) diets were causing heart disease in dogs. This left professionals and the public scrambling for more information, which was further fueled by media frenzy. As a result, the FDA launched an investigation which was complicated

Nutrition Research

by Nicole Cammack

Summary Journal of Animal Science Article, Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020

In 2018 a blog from a veterinary nutritionist sparked a controversy between ‘BEG’ diets and heart disease in dogs. For the past two years, despite an FDA investigation, scarce and vague scientific data has created major issues for pet owners and the pet industry. For clarity, ‘BEG’ diets are known as Boutique, Exotic protein or Grain Free. A recent article published in the Journal of Animal Science titled, “Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concerns” that appeared

Food Quality Research Supplements

by Nicole Cammack

AVMA, Nutrition & (lack of) Ethics

How many times have you heard a veterinarian or the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) preach that those who are not veterinarians should not be giving nutritional advice? Probably more than a few times. Interesting, maybe the AVMA should take their own advice before distributing an unvalidated, unscientific internet blog. Or, maybe they should rise to meet their own ethics pillars when disseminating information which is unable to withstand basic scientific scrutiny. In short, this is a scientific body distributing subpar work

Food Quality Nutrition Research Supplements

by Nicole Cammack

Redefining Transparency: a dirty word

Transparency rarely exists in the pet industry. Despite what marketing tells us. So how do we fix it? There are a lot of products and companies that make health claims and clean sourcing which aim to provide a certain level of comfort to the consumer. However, most companies are not willing or able to prove it. Simple email requests for documentation of processes and testing from me, as a retailer, often go unanswered. The lack of response is sometimes from companies

Research

by Nicole Cammack

Just because it looks like science doesn’t mean it is

AVMA says, “Study: Raw dog food often contains drug-resistant bacteria” (Link) On April 21, 2020, the AVMA emailed a link to an original article published on April 20, 2020, by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) examining the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens within raw meat-based diets (RMBD) for dogs. Within this article, the CIDRAP cites three separate abstracts of studies – not peer-reviewed papers. Two of which actually have no direct link to the feeding of RMBDs

Research

by Nicole Cammack

March 12, 2020

A Missed Opportunity for Pet Food Companies: We Need Less Marketing and More Science.

Since the controversy surrounding grain-free food and the potential association to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, the marketing departments of nearly every pet food company have been working overtime. While each company has tried to create the illusion that they are transparent, independent and ‘ahead’ of the problem - two main campaigns exist amongst most of them (with a few valid exceptions) that tell a different story. One of the familiar marketing campaigns advises that they have offered grain inclusive products

Research

by Nicole Cammack

It’s not about who is “right” or “wrong”

While in school I was taught that half of what I was learning would be proven wrong – the problem is that we did not, and still don’t know what half is wrong. Even so, the more education I receive and the more brilliant scientists and researchers I meet from around the world, the more I realize we know very little about the world we live in and the sciences that drive it. It’s up to us to keep asking

Nutrition Research

by Nicole Cammack

Grain-Free Diets and Heart Disease: The Whole Truth

Summary Recent reports discussing the potential relationship between grain free pet foods and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) have given pet owners and veterinarians alike cause for concern. Little research and data are available surrounding this potential relationship, and some within the industry have failed to recognize a greater problem. DCM is just one of many concerns pet owners have to face, along with cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and allergies to name a few. For owners and veterinarians concerned about grain-inclusive or grain-free,

Research Seasonal Care

by Nicole Cammack

What You Need to Know About EEE Virus & Your Pets

While you are getting ready to take in the fall foliage on a hike with your dog or sitting on the front porch with your cat, here's what you need to know about mosquitos in order to protect your pets from Triple E and more.

Food Quality Nutrition Research

by Nicole Cammack

History of Pet Food

The beginning of pet food as we know it began in the year 1860 with the invention of the “dog biscuit” in England. A gentleman by the name of James Spratt made this biscuit from vegetables, beef blood, wheat, and beetroot. These biscuits became incredibly popular, and by 1890 the commercial pet food industry had made it to the United States with other companies making their own version of the dog biscuit. In 1907 the Milk Bone was born in New

Nutrition Research Supplements

by Nicole Cammack

Could Bacteria be the Secret to a Great Dog?

Author’s note: As I began to write this article, I realized that the best way to approach this topic would be to include a discussion on the health impact of probiotics and microbiota as part of a series. Throughout the past 3 months, several peer-reviewed articles indicated how critical the microbiota and micro-biome are to canine behavior, health and performance, each warranting its own discussion. The following article discusses why canines should regularly receive probiotic supplementation to support their unique

Nicole Cammack and Morgan Hunt

Nicci is the founder & owner of award-winning independent pet store NorthPoint Pets & Company, in Cheshire Connecticut as well as the Founder & CEO of Undogmatic Inc.

Morgan Hunt is a Pet Problem Solver at NorthPoint Pets and veterinary assistant/technician at Branford Veterinary Hospital. She’s enrolled in a veterinary technician program at San Juan College and is studying to become a certified technician. She owns a Pit Mix (Tyson) and a Dalmatian (Pongo), and both keep her on her toes every day.

See author's posts

Everything You Need to Know About Aflatoxin and Your Pet’s Food

Must Read: Aflatoxin Pet Food Recalls

Pet Owners: Why You Can’t Rely on the Guaranteed Analysis

FDA Finds No Evidence that Grain-Free Diets Are Causing Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Why Grain Free?

Grain – Free Diets & Heart Disease Update

June 2020: Journal of Animal Sciences Grain Free & Heart Disease Summary

Journal of Animal Science Article Full Summary, Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020

Summary Journal of Animal Science Article, Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020

AVMA, Nutrition & (lack of) Ethics

Redefining Transparency: a dirty word

Just because it looks like science doesn’t mean it is

A Missed Opportunity for Pet Food Companies: We Need Less Marketing and More Science.

It’s not about who is “right” or “wrong”

Grain-Free Diets and Heart Disease: The Whole Truth

What You Need to Know About EEE Virus & Your Pets

History of Pet Food

Could Bacteria be the Secret to a Great Dog?

About the Author

Nicole Cammack and Morgan Hunt

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