Grain Free food and DCM

Jennifer

Jennifer

I was wondering if any of you thought there was a need for concern regarding the suggested link between grain free food and DCM? I’ve been looking for an alternative food to Royal Canin for Hunter. My local family pet shop has started to sell their own premium, grain free dog food which rates quite high on the All about dog food site. I like to support my local pet shop especially as after over 30 years a Pets at Home has been allowed to open just down the road from them. All about dog food class the food as a white label food so it’s made for and sold by a number of companies. I contacted All about dog food as I was surprised how high it scored on their food generator. They told me it was a good food made by GA and can be bought under a few other names including Europa 60/40. Europa 60/40 score 68%, Royal Canin Maxi Puppy scores 45%, Skinners puppy/junior 60% and Europa has all the little profile symbols whereas Royal Canin only gets one. Looking at the info it’s obvious which food is best but of course now I’ve found a food that happens to be grain free there’s the DCM link :doh:

www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk

Royal Canin vs Europa vs Skinner's

Compare dog foods and treats side-by-side on the UK's number 1 dog food advice site
www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk
(The prices are now very wrong.)
 
Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
This is apparently still a bit up for debate.
They have now focused in on legumes, particularly peas as perhaps the focus for investigation rather than being blanket grain-free. So basically what they substitute the grain for as a filler.
I don't know whether this article may help?

For the record, Lilly at 13.5 has now been on Grain Free Fish4Dogs (which now feels eye-wateringly expensive) for most of her life, and probably since she was 3 or 4, other grain-free foods (Eden, Orijen). Just having a look on the dog food website, it says it has 19% Pea Flour. Not rushing to change.
The Europa looks OK but couldn't see the 6-/40. The 50/50 looked to have loads of "other" things in it.
 
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Loraseal

Loraseal

Location
The Hague, The Netherlands
Unfortunately I can't comment as my Hunter eats RAW. On holidays he gets Orijan. The independent body research is hard to find as the majorly of dog food research is sponsored by the big dog food manufacturers. I work in the control business and when you see close up to what actually goes in... Anyway I think you have to trust your instincts. Of course we all want the best for our beloved dogs. All I can say is always check the ingredients and If you would not eat it yourself then why would you give it to your dog.? Please note I would not eat an old shrivelled carrot in the mud that Hunter ate and enjoyed this morning!
 
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Jennifer

Jennifer

@Jacqui-S Thank you for the link Jacqui. I hadn’t come across such an up to date article. It’s interesting they are finding possibly more specific causes than a blanket grain free diet.

@Selina27 sorry I should’ve explained DCM in the first place. Thank you for the link about veg and carbs it was very interesting.

@Loraseal It is more difficult to find independent research and I have read some articles questioning the link between grain free and DCM because the research has been associated with the main dog food producers.
 
Kelsey

Kelsey

This is what was posted on the DCM Facebook group I’m on with about 125,000 people on it, an FDA update from last December. It’s helped eased me for now. I know many dogs who have thrived on Acana their whole lives and never had an issue. With under 300 cases reported out of how many dogs there are out there I feel it’s something I’ll keep in the back of my mind for sure and continue to watch for updates but I am now on a grain free food for Hugo simply by coincidence, but I’m happy with it :)

www.fda.gov

FDA Investigates Potential Link Between Diet & Heart Disease in Dogs

Latest update on the FDA’s investigation into reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods.
www.fda.gov www.fda.gov
 
Jennifer

Jennifer

Thanks for posting this link @Kelsey&Axel. I’m sorry I missed it on your thread. I suppose like you say it’s a question of putting things in perspective the number of dogs against the number of cases.

I haven’t seen any research done here in the UK :unsure:
 
Jennifer

Jennifer

I was looking for research done in the Uk. I found a few articles including the one below that state there is no information to suggest the same issue in the Uk and Europe. Also an article states research done in Canada shows legumes are safe for healthy dogs although it does admit it was a small number of dogs tested and more research is needed. It’s also a sustainable pet food website so possibly looking for research to prove the link wrong. Gosh it’s a mine field when you start looking.🤔

www.ukpetfood.org

Canine DCM And Pet Food

PFMA (now UK Pet Food) continues to monitor investigations into Canine DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in the US, and urges pet owners to feed their pets with a complete and balanced diet, made by reputable manufactures.
www.ukpetfood.org www.ukpetfood.org

sustainablepetfoodassociation.co.uk

Latest research on DCM and a dog’s diet | Sustainable Pet Foods

NO link with DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) and dog food ingredients found
sustainablepetfoodassociation.co.uk sustainablepetfoodassociation.co.uk
 
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