The Possible Dangers of Grain-Free Dog Food

Volume 17: What Golden Owners Need to Know about Grain-Free Food

Grain-free dog food has been a topic of discussion amongst golden retriever owners for years now, and for good reason. When grain-free food gained popularity around 2007, dog owners thought this was the healthy food solution or the answer to their dog’s allergies problems (“Is Grain Free the Way to Be?”). However, after research has been conducted, although not conclusive, grain-free dog food may cause taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), especially in golden retrievers (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”).  Taurine is an amino acid for heart health and dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disorder that results in reduced heart pumping and increased heart size (Wuest, 2019). If untreated, it can result in congestive heart failure and even death (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). The most common cause of DCM is genetic; however, in rare cases, other factors could be the culprit in other breeds that are not typically affected, like golden retrievers and their diet (Wuest, 2019). DCM is typically seen in large breed dogs such as Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers, and Irish Wolf Hounds (“Is Grain Free the Way to Be?”).

Grain-free dog foods replace grains with ingredients such as peas, beans, pea starch, legumes, potatoes and sweet potatoes as the carbohydrate (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). If these foods appear within the first five ingredients listed on the pet food label, this can be cause for concern (“Is Grain Free the Way to Be?”). These non-grain ingredients are what block the function of taurine (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). “The implicated diets are collectively referred to as ‘BEG diets’ from Boutique companies, contain Exotic ingredients, and many are labeled as Grain-free (MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets, 2020).” Some dog owners continue to feed their dog a BEG diet and supplement their food with grain; however, this is not recommended (MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets, 2020). “There has been no conclusive evidence to suggest the lack of grain content itself is responsible for the development of DCM. Rather, the issue may be with ingredients utilized instead of grains; such as peas, lentils, potatoes, and other legumes (MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets, 2020).”

Research of grain-free dog food linked with taurine deficiency and DCM was initiated by Dr. Stern due to the increase in cases found at UC Davis. Dr. Stern is a cardiologist and the lead veterinarian researcher at UC Davis. Dr. Stern conducted a study with 24 golden retrievers who were diagnosed with DCM and taurine deficiency (Wuest, 2019). 23 out of the 24 dogs were fed either grain-free, legume rich or combination diets (Wuest, 2019). A diet change and taurine supplement were prescribed and all but one of the goldens showed improvement (Wuest, 2019). Here is a handout with practical tips for heart failure in dogs from cardiologists.

The FDA is also involved in researching the link between grain-free dog foods and DCM. The FDA believes it is a “complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors (“FDA Investigation into Potential Link Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy”).” Golden retrievers may also be genetically predisposed to taurine deficiency which can potentially lead to DCM (“FDA Investigation into Potential Link Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy”). The FDA has noticed a “reporting bias” for breeds like golden retrievers which may be due to social media groups along with increased awareness of the issue which urge owners and veterinarians to submit reports to the FDA (“FDA Investigation into Potential Link Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy”). This is a popular Facebook group dedicated to the topic: Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs.

According to the FDA, the majority of reported DCM cases were from dry dog food. The most frequently named dog food brands linked with DCM cases are listed in the graph below (“FDA Investigation into Potential Link Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy”).

According to Dr. Stern, the best way to help get your dog out of this situation and to prevent future problems is to feed your dog food from a company that is dedicated to rectifying the problem and is involved in the research (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). The following foods have been recommended by Dr. Stern:

• Purina Pro Plan

• Iams

• Hills

• Royal Canin Golden Retriever (used by Dr. Stern for his golden retrievers)

• Eukanuba

Golden owners should ensure their dog’s food lists taurine as an ingredient (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). Dr. Stern recommends following the World Small Animal Veterinary Association criteria for choosing a dog food (Wuest, 2019). More information can be found through this link.

Raw as well as home diets may not be sufficient enough in taurine; however, supplements can be provided to you by your veterinarian (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). Eggs, chicken livers, unsalted sardines and oysters can also be added to the dog’s meals to help supplement taurine (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). “The current recommended dosing for taurine is as follows: 250 mg, PO, every 12 hours for dogs weighing < 10 kg (22 lb.); 500 mg, PO, every 12 hours for dogs weighing 10 to 25 kg (55 lb.); and 1,000 mg, PO, every 12 hours for dogs weighing > 25 kg (MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets, 2020).”

Dr. Stern reported that dogs can also “develop DCM from nutritional origins and not be taurine-deficient (Wuest, 2019).” Providing your dog with taurine supplements can mask the problem and result in DCM being diagnosed at a later stage (Wuest, 2019). If the dog’s problem is related to taurine deficiency, it may be that the ingredients in their food are “interacting to reduce availability of taurine or other nutrients are missing or interacting in the formulation. For example, while a lot of pet owners may not want to see “byproducts” in their dog’s food, often the byproducts contain organ meat like heart and kidney, which are good sources of taurine (Wuest, 2019).”

You can have your dog tested for their taurine levels by your veterinarian (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). A blood sample is taken and sent to UC Davis for evaluation (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). Click this link to learn how to send blood samples to UC Davis for assessment. If your golden’s taurine level is at least 250 nmol/L, this is considered normal (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). If your golden’s taurine level is lower, an echocardiogram is recommended (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). Insufficient taurine levels and DCM can be reversed through diet change and taurine supplement if detected early (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”). “Signs and symptoms of DCM are: pale gums, lethargy, cough, weakness, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing or exercise intolerance (“Taurine and Grain Free Information”).”

The FDA welcomes any submission of information from pet owners or veterinarians to aid in this investigation (“FDA Investigation into Potential Link Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy”). You can follow this link in order to do so: How to Report a Pet Food Complaint. More research is needed in order to conclude that there is a definitive link between DCM and grain-free diets or if there is some other factor that has not yet been discovered (“Is Grain Free the Way to Be?”). However, the existing research is statisically significant enough to cause concern (“Is Grain Free the Way to Be?”).

The Golden Pupper is not a replacement for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian to discuss the right solutions and diet for your golden retriever.

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References

‘BEG’ diets and DCM in dogs: Recommendations regarding diagnosis and management. (2020, February 16). MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets. https://www.medvetforpets.com/beg-diets-and-dcm-in-dogs-recommendations-regarding-diagnosis-and-management/

FDA investigation into potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy

Is Grain Free the Way to Be? LePar Animal Hospital. https://www.leparvet.net/grain-free-way/#:~:text=Grain%20free%20diets%20gained%20traction,appeal%20to%20health%2Dconscious%20people.

Taurine and grain free information. Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida. https://www.grrmf.org/news/taurine-and-grain-free-information/#:~:text=Recent%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,and%20possibly%20death%20can%20occur.

Wuest, P. (2019, January 31). Study: Grain free diet for dogs leads to canine heart disease. Today’s Veterinary Practice. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/news/study-grain-free-diet-for-dogs-leads-to-canine-heart-disease/