Have you heard about DCM?
What would make you switch your dog’s food? I recently surveyed a few dog owners on Reddit to find out and learned most owners who responded are concerned with DCM, dilated cardiomyopathy. DCM has never been an issue in my household. So, I did research to find out what it is all about.
Visiting trusted websites, American Kennel Club and FDA, I found a conclusive decision on what causes DCM has not been determined yet. To summarize, veterinarians are attributing DCM to genetics, underlying medical conditions, and diet. DCM seems to be related to multiple factors however, FDA is focused on diet since that is in their wheelhouse. If you aren’t aware, the FDA regulates the pet food industry.
A common theme observed in diets among the 1100 pets afflicted with DCM between January 1, 2014 and July 31, 2020 is legumes are high on the ingredient list. Examples of legumes are peas and lentils. Legumes have been included in our pet’s diets for many years, it seems with the grain-free push, they are being used in higher quantities now. Grain-free food seems to be the style of diet most influenced by this higher legume concentration.
Evidence is inconclusive that the concentration of legumes in pet food is a cause of DCM. The FDA has called on scientists, food manufacturers, and veterinarians to help by providing data and research. The scientific community continues to work together on this.
My advice is, reach out to your vet if you have concerns and learn what is the best course of action for your pet. Like us, they all have unique needs.
What Dog Owners Need to Know About the FDA’s Grain-Free Diet Alert and DCM
