Pet Food Grain Free Food Warning
By Dr. Maria Krenz, DVM
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been investigating the link between grain-free diets and enlarged hearts (dilated cardiomyopathy) or heart disease in dogs and cats since 2018. Current research points to a reduced availability of taurine, an amino acid needed for heart function. Research also suggests Golden Retrievers may be genetically predisposed to taurine deficiency, making then at even higher risk when eating these diets.
Implicated Diets
Multiple diets have been implicated in the FDA’s findings. A June 2019 FDA report provides a list of pet food brands, which are grain-free. Almost 50% of the cases reported to the FDA were being fed Acana, Zignature or Taste-of-the-Wild brand diets. An additional, 13 other companies’ pet food diets were also listed.
FDA analysis of the diet composition in heart disease cases found that 91% were being fed a grain-free diet, and 93% had peas/lentils as the major grain substitute in the fed diet. Even if the food your pet is eating is not on the list, you should read the label. If your pet’s food is grain free or uses peas/lentils as a substitute for grain, you should consult your veterinarian right away and look at alternative diets.
Myth- Grains are a common Food Allergy
There is a myth that grains cause allergies, which is not supported by veterinary medicine. This is not the case. The reality is that true food allergies are extremely low in dogs and cats, and the offending substances are usually not grains. Grain allergies in dogs are so uncommon, in fact, they affect less than one percent of dogs. Pets are more likely to have an allergy to proteins like beef or chicken. If you feel like your pet has a food allergy or sensitivity, it is best to talk to your veterinarian about prescription diets formulated specifically for pets with food allergies.
Myth-Cats and Dog don’t eat Grains in the Wild
A common myth supporting grain-free foods is that cats and dogs in the wild do not eat grain. When an animal catches prey, it not only eats the muscle, but it also ingests the organ content. Many of the animals, which are prey of wild cats and dogs, do eat grain in their diet. When a cat or dog in the wild eat the organs of their prey, they are consuming small amounts of grain. If an animal only ate the meat of its prey, and not the organs with grain, it would develop nutritional deficiencies.
Common Grains
Until more research is available, ZimmVet does not recommend feeding a grain-free food. When looking at your pet food label to check if your food has grains, you might see a combination of some of the following: Wheat, Corn, Barley, Oats, Rye, Rice and Sorghum.
More information on the link between heart disease and grain free diets is available through FDA websites and multiple Veterinary University websites including University of California-Davis and Tufts University. Search “FDA grain free pet diet.” Please contact your veterinarian for medical advice with choosing your pet’s food.
Disclaimer: This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice. Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet.
