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On grain-free dog food and DCM, the short answer is that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found a possible link, not a proven cause. Most of the canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) reports it received involved grain-free foods, and 93% of reported products contained peas or lentils, but the FDA called the issue complex and said report numbers alone don't show a product caused the disease.
Then, in December 2022, the FDA said it wouldn't publish further updates until there's meaningful new science. Which leaves a lot of people standing in the pet food aisle wondering what they're supposed to do now. Here's what the investigation found, the heart disease signs worth watching for, and how to pick a food with your vet. This isn't veterinary advice, so talk to your vet before you change your dog's diet.
What DCM is
DCM, or dilated cardiomyopathy, is a disease of the heart muscle where the heart gets bigger and pumps less well. The FDA notes it's recognised as a genetic condition in dogs, usually in large or giant breeds like the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound, and it's believed to be less common in small and medium breeds.
So why the fuss in 2018? Because a lot of the dogs being reported were breeds nobody had thought of as predisposed.
Grain-free dog food and DCM: what the FDA found
On grain-free dog food and DCM, the FDA found a pattern in the reports, mostly around foods with peas and lentils. It started investigating in July 2018 after reports of DCM in dogs eating certain foods, many of them labelled grain-free. These are its key figures, from reports received between January 2014 and April 30, 2019:
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Canine DCM reports | 515 |
| Dogs affected | 560 |
| Deaths reported | 119 |
| Reported products labelled grain-free | Over 90% |
| Reported products containing peas and/or lentils | 93% |
| Reported products containing potatoes or sweet potatoes | About 42% |
A bit of context on those numbers. Most of the reports came in after the FDA's July 2018 announcement, and an announcement like that tends to drive more reporting on its own. The FDA's testing also found similar nutrient levels in grain-free and grain-containing products, and nearly all grain-free products met the minimum for the amino acids methionine and cystine. Whether taurine metabolism plays a part was still being studied.
What the investigation did not prove
The investigation didn't prove that grain-free food causes DCM. The FDA called diet and DCM a complex scientific issue that may involve several factors, and said some cases may be genetic, or a mix of diet and genetics.
It was also careful about its own data. Adverse event numbers, the FDA said, don't on their own supply enough to establish that a product caused the problem. And it never told owners to stop feeding grain-free. What it did was urge owners to work with their veterinarians before making diet changes.
The FDA's advice was not "switch foods" but "talk to your vet", and to share your dog's complete diet history, including treats.
Signs of heart disease to watch for
The signs of heart disease to watch for, according to the FDA's list for DCM or another heart condition, are these. If you see them, call your vet soon:
- Less energy than usual, or tiring quickly on walks
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Episodes of collapse
If it's severe, like struggling to breathe or collapsing, go to an emergency clinic now. Our guide on when to take your dog to the emergency vet lists the other red flags.
Choosing a food with your vet
Choosing a food with your vet starts with ignoring most of the front of the bag. Words like "grain-free", "holistic" or "premium" don't tell you much. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's (WSAVA) guidelines on selecting pet foods call those unregulated terms of little practical value, and suggest looking instead at who stands behind the food:
- Does the label say the food is complete for your dog's life stage, and was that shown by feeding trials or by formulation?
- Does the company employ a qualified nutritionist, with a PhD in animal nutrition or board certification in veterinary nutrition?
- Who formulates the recipes, and with what training?
- What quality control does the company use on ingredients and finished food?
- Has the company done research, and is it published in peer-reviewed journals?
- Can you easily reach the company with questions, and does it make its own food?
WSAVA's view is that if a manufacturer can't or won't answer these, owners and vets should be cautious about that brand. A company that makes good food usually doesn't mind being asked.
If your dog eats grain-free food now
If your dog eats grain-free food now, don't panic, and don't switch foods tonight. Some dogs are on grain-free diets for a reason their vet picked.
What helps more is writing down exactly what your dog eats: the brand, the product name, the treats, the toppers, the bit of cheese that sneaks in with the pills. Bring it to your next visit, or sooner if you've noticed any of the signs above. Your vet can weigh your dog's breed, age and health and tell you whether a change, or any heart screening, makes sense.
What to ask your vet
What to ask your vet depends on your dog, but these are a good start:
- Is my dog's breed or family history a risk for heart disease?
- Given what my dog eats, would you suggest any changes, or any heart screening?
- Should we involve a board-certified veterinary nutritionist?
- If we change food, how should we make the switch?
Bring the exact food names, treats and toppers included. If you keep them in your dog's pet records in the free PetGrid app, the list is right there at the visit, next to weights and past notes.
Preguntas frecuentes
Does grain-free dog food cause heart disease?
It hasn't been proven. The FDA found that most DCM reports it received involved grain-free foods, often with peas or lentils, but said the issue is complex and that report numbers alone don't establish a cause.
Should I stop feeding my dog grain-free food?
Talk to your vet first. The FDA didn't tell owners to stop feeding grain-free; it urged them to work with their veterinarians before changing diets.
What are the signs of DCM in dogs?
The FDA lists decreased energy, coughing, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse. Call your vet promptly, and go to an emergency clinic if the signs are severe.
Is the FDA still investigating grain-free food and DCM?
In December 2022 the FDA said it wouldn't release further public updates until there's meaningful new scientific information. Its earlier findings and advice are still on its website.
Which dogs get DCM?
DCM is recognised as a genetic condition, typically in large or giant breeds such as Dobermans, Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds. Many dogs in the FDA reports, though, were breeds not previously known to be at risk.
En resumen
Grain-free dog food and DCM is still an open question. The FDA saw a pattern, especially with peas and lentils, but didn't prove a cause, and it asked owners to work with their vets rather than switch on their own. Watch for the signs, tell your vet everything your dog eats, and use WSAVA's questions when you pick a food together.
The PetGrid app is free for pet owners and keeps diet notes, weights and vet papers in one place; see how it works.
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