According to a warning from the Food and Drug Administration released last week, grain-free food might be giving dogs a
life-threatening heart problem
called
dilated cardiomyopathy
, or DCM The science is still preliminary, and it’s based on a potential association between diet and heart disease in fewer than 600 dogs.
Is
grain free bad
for dogs 2021?
There are no studies that have shown grain-inclusive diets to be detrimental to the health of our domestic dogs In fact, the cooked grains in commercial diets provide many beneficial nutrients to the diet including vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
Is grain free better for dogs?
While your dog needs carbohydrates to produce energy, too many of them can contribute to obesity, the wrong bacteria in the gut and a lack of energy. So, if a dog food is labeled “grain free” but the grains are replaced with other ingredients, it’s not necessarily a healthier option for your dog.
Which is better for dogs grain or grain free?
Despite the benefits for some dogs, there are downsides to feeding a grain-free dog food Many people assume grain free means low carb, but that’s not the case. In fact, some dog foods without grains are higher in alternative carbohydrate sources like potatoes and peas. This could result in unintentional weight gain.
Could
grain-free diets
damage my dogs heart?
University of California, Davis, veterinarians led a team that has found a link between some popular grain-free, legume-rich dog diets and a type of nutritional deficiency and canine heart disease known as taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy.
What are the pros and cons of grain-free dog food?
- Easily Digestible
- It is Less Allergenic
- Helps Boost Health and Activity Level
- It’s Beneficial for Dogs with Diabetes and Cancer
- More Expensive
- Not Ideal for Less Active Dogs
- It Can Be Challenging for Picky Eaters
- High in Carbohydrate.
What grains should dogs avoid?
Grain-free dog food excludes commonly used cereal grains like wheat, corn, rice, sorghum, barley, and rye These grains are often replaced with legumes like lentils and peas or white potatoes and sweet potatoes, which are high in fiber and other nutrients while also maintaining a low-glycemic index.
Do dogs really need grains?
While dogs don’t need grains to get the glucose they need to survive , they need at least some form of glucose in their diet. Starchy vegetables and legumes provide this glucose in grain-free foods, whereas wheat, rice, and other grains provide this glucose in grain foods.
Is grain free better for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Watch out for grains Corn and wheat can be hard for your pup to digest if they have a sensitive stomach. The best digestive dog food will usually either be grain-free or contain whole grains, oats or rice.
Do dogs poop more on grain free food?
Yes, some dogs will have more frequent elimination on grain free , that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My dog with allergies does best on Nutrisca grain free kibble, however she does have more frequent small bowel movements (3/4 as opposed to 1/2).
Does grain-free dog food cause heart problems 2021?
The dogs eating grain-free diets and diets high in peas, lentils and legumes had a higher likelihood of low-level injury to cardiac muscle cells The authors of the study noted that the low number of dogs eating grain-free foods meant one or two abnormal readings would skew the results significantly.
Do large breed dogs need grain in their diet?
As mentioned earlier, large breed dogs typically should not be fed a grain-free diet unless prescribed by their veterinarian , says Dr. Navratik, since many grain-free diets have been linked to cardiomyopathy or heart disease specifically in larger breeds.
Citations
https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-nutrition/dog-food/grain-free-dog-food
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/07/grain-free-dog-food-fda-warning/593167/
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-names-16-brands-dog-food-linked-canine-heart-disease-n1025466
https://kohapet.com/blogs/news/confused-about-the-fdas-grain-free-dog-food-warning