3 minute read
Seemingly healthy grain-free pet diets aren’t helpful to a dog’s health. In fact, research shows they cause issues with the heart.
“Everybody just wants what’s best for their pets,” says Dr Natalie Davis, a veterinarian at Firehouse 183 in Austin, Texas.
So, it makes sense that when human eating trends promoted gluten-free diets as healthy, pet parents assumed they’d also be healthier for pets.
However, multiple studies have linked grain-free diets with heart disease in dogs. Starting in 2019, the FDA linked BEG diets (BEG stands for boutique, exotic, and grain-free diets) to heart issues in dogs. Alongside veterinary cardiologists, the FDA monitored an increase in a specific type of heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Results confirmed an association between DCM and grain-free or boutique diets.
As a result, Firehouse does not recommend BEG diets for pets. More details are below!
Is it healthier for a dog to eat grain-free food?
No. Good marketing and human food trends have transformed a large share of the pet food marketplace into a potential landmine for dog health.
Grain-free diets – foods rich in peas, lentils, soy or other legumes – are linked to heart issues in dogs. Negative health effects in dog’s hearts build up over time.
At Firehouse, we spend a lot of time studying the science behind our veterinary recommendations so our patients can live long, healthy, and happy lives. We’ve never seen any evidence that these diets provided a benefit for dogs. Only the opposite.
What happens to my dog if he’s on a grain-free diet?
The heart is a strong organ of muscles that acts as a pump to push blood throughout the pet’s body. When the heart muscle is healthy, it pumps very efficiently.
The negative health effects of a grain-free diet build up over time.
When DCM sets in, the heart muscle becomes thin and stretched out. It cannot effectively pump blood around your pet’s body.
Can my pet recover from a grain-free or BEG diet?
Yes! Let’s talk so we can help switch your dog’s diet. Luckily, we’ve seen research and cases in our own hospitals where dogs gradually heal once we get them on a healthier diet free of peas, lentils, beans, potatoes, etc.
Dr John Faught spoke with KVUE news in 2019 about this subject. “We never believed there was any science behind the (grain-free) diets,” he told them at the time.
Why is grain-free dog food so popular?
We treat our pets more and more like our children—we buy them toys, send them to daycare, and primp them at pet spas. These are pretty normal activities. So, it’s not surprising that we want to feed them like our children, too.
The rise in popularity of gluten-free diets for humans created a similar trend for pets. However, pets have different nutritional needs from people.
What kinds of food should my dog eat?
So, ignore the fancy marketing and beautiful packaging. What’s most important is a research-based pet food that offers your dog a mixture of carbs like corn, oats, and rice.
We’ll ask loads of questions about your pet’s diet at their yearly wellness visit. Together, we’ll make decisions about which foods are best for your pup’s growth, weight maintenance, activity levels, and life stage. If needed, we’ll review diets that offer nutrition to help with medical conditions.
We’re passionate about your pet’s well-being. We’d love to speak with you in more detail if you’d like. Call us anytime. You can also book your pet’s appointment online.