The Lowdown On DCM and Grain-Free Feeding

DCM And Grain-Free Feeding: The Facts

In June of 2018, the FDA began an investigation to see if grain free foods were the cause of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). This investigation was based on an article published by Dr. Lisa Freeman at Tuft’s University.

We can understand your concern, and we can easily switch your pet into another food that is grain inclusive if you like. Keep in mind, though, that the article also states that they do not know if grain free food is the cause of diet related DCM and there is no scientific evidence available to conclude that it is.

In their investigation, the FDA found only 1,382 cases of diet related DCM from Jan. 1, 2014 to Nov. 1, 2022. Since there are 83–88 million dogs in the US (22 million of them being fed a grain free diet), the chances of your dog theoretically developing DCM from one of the brands that we carry are .00002%. Keep in mind that there are, by far, more health risks associated with foods that are grain based (obesity, diabetes, higher recall rates)

Grain Free dry foods have been around for 25+ years. The only reason there has been a spike recently is because of Dr. Freeman’s 2018 article based on inconclusive evidence and possible correlation only. 

Unfortunately, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) interpreted that as fact and started telling the vets in their association to make sure their clients knew about the “dangers” of grain free diets without getting any substantiated evidence to the contrary. It is important to know that Dr. Freeman’s work is financed by large pet food corporations that produce mostly grain based foods (not to mention junk food for humans).

On June 15, 2020 a group of veterinarians, veterinary cardiologists, and animal nutritionists from BSM Partners, a pet care research and consulting firm, published their first study on dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Following an examination of more than 150 studies, the authors found no definitive relationship between grain-free and legume-rich diets, and DCM. Additionally, the FDA’s reported cases of DCM include incomplete information, making it impossible to draw any sound conclusions from this data. The peer-reviewed article, which appears in the Journal of Animal Science, is an exhaustive literature review regarding the causes of DCM, and the first research resulting from BSM Partners’ long-term DCM research effort.”
https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/98/6/skaa155/5857674On December 23, 2022, the FDA concluded their investigation and gave the following statement: FDA does not intend to release further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information to share. Here’s the link: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy

Many of the brands that we carry that were listed in the original FDA investigation have done third party testing and are finding that the ingredients in their foods are not the cause of diet related DCM nor do they inhibit the metabolization of Taurine, which was believed to be the cause in the initial report. The vast majority of DCM case are genetic or congenital and there is no substantiated evidence that certain ingredients in the foods that we carry are the cause.

Mason Hartman
Owner/Operator Nature’s Pet Market West Linn