Should I be avoiding grain-free food for my dog?

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Marie Menniti BVMS MSc AFHEA MRCVS

May 17, 2021 • 317 Shares • 9 Comments

With the rise of grain-free dog foods, veterinarians started to notice a worrying trend; dogs eating these diets were found to be suffering from a rare heart condition. This illness, called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), causes the heart muscle to weaken and can lead to sudden death. It is traditionally only seen in a handful of breeds including the Doberman Pinscher, the Great Dane, the Boxer, and the co*cker Spaniel.

In 2018, an investigation was launched to figure out exactly what was causing this heart condition in the wider population of dogs. The fact that many DCM patients were consuming grain-free food pushed researchers to pursue diet as a potential cause.

What does the latest research tell us about grain-free diets for dogs?

So far, we haven’t established the exact cause of what appears to be diet-related DCM, but the latest research is pointing to the possibility of grain-free diets as a factor. Studies have shown that many dogs given a diagnosis of DCM will often have an improvement in cardiac function, with a diet switch to a grain-inclusive food.

Grain-free foods often include a relatively high proportion of peas, lentils, legumes and/or potatoes to balance the diet. Whether these ingredients or the lack of grain is the cause is yet to be established.

Why were grains removed from dog foods in the first place?

The myth that domestic dogs are unable to digest grains is likely to be a factor in the growing popularity of the grain-free diet. It has been well-documented that dogs can thrive on a grain-inclusive diet and have done so historically!

The great evolutionary success of the dog can be traced back to its evolution alongside human populations. This was achieved, in part, by the dog’s ability to adapt to consuming the carbohydrate-rich scraps and leftovers. 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.

The grain-free statement on the label itself has also proven to be an attractive feature of certain dog foods. The absence claim labelling trend is on the rise as has been seen with the popularity of “free-from” foods on British shelves.

This category of products was originally created to satisfy the needs of individuals with allergies and intolerances. However, “free-from” foods are now being appreciated by the wider market and are perceived to be healthier than ones without a claim. Similarly, with dog foods, absence claims can make a diet seem like a better choice even when the reasons aren’t clear.

Is there any situation in which a dog would need a grain-free diet? What if my dog is allergic to grains?

It is rare that a dog would require a grain-free diet for medical reasons. The top two dietary allergens in dogs are beef and dairy products, with wheat coming in third. Additionally, in the case that a grain sensitivity does exist, it is unlikely that a dog will be triggered by all types of grain. If you suspect that your dog has a dietary allergy, have a chat with your veterinarian. Dietary allergies will require veterinary intervention for diagnosis and treatment.

In light of all this research, what type of diet should I be feeding my dog?

Choosing the right diet for our dogs is tricky at the best of times. It seems like there is always some new trend that our friends are telling us to follow! When it comes to the question of grain-free diets, veterinarians recommended that dogs be fed a grain-inclusive diet unless there is a reason that makes it unsuitable.

One thing to always look out for when choosing a food is an adequacy statement on the label. It should say that the diet is complete and balanced for a given canine life-stage. If you’re still unsure of what to feed, you can always speak to your veterinarian. They will be able to make recommendations for a food that is best suited to your dog and can help you make a switch, if needed.

References:

Hartmann C, Hieke S, Taper C, Siegrist M. European consumer healthiness evaluation of ‘Free-from’ labelled food products. Food quality and preference. 2018 Sep 1;68:377-88.
Mansilla WD, Marinangeli CP, Ekenstedt KJ, Larsen JA, Aldrich G, Columbus DA, Weber L, Abood SK, Shoveller AK. Special Topic: The association between pulse ingredients and canine dilated cardiomyopathy: addressing the knowledge gaps before establishing causation. Journal of animal science. 2019 Mar 1;97(3):983-97.
Walker AL, DeFrancesco TC, Bonagura JD, Keene BW, Meurs KM, Tou SP, Kurtz K, Aona B, Barron L, McManamey A, Robertson J. Association of diet with clinical outcomes in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Journal of Veterinary Cardiology. 2021 Feb 18.

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Natalie Mar 20, 2023

Well sure just ignore the biggest recall in pet food history and aflatoxins and mycotoxins! And the fact that certain grain-free dog food has a much higher meat content than most grain-inclusive (Farmina being an exception). Or that the link that says dairy is #2 in allergies actually specifies that it’s an intolerance not a true allergy which would put wheat at #2 for allergies. And ignore that certain breeds had no increased ability to digest starch.

Natalie Mar 20, 2023

And ignored the fact that some dogs switched to a grain-free and also showed improvement, oh and the FDA walked back on their investigation so you might want to update this article!

David Harris Mar 28, 2023

The FDA is not actually the only regulatory body in the world, nor do they conduct investigations, they just report. This article was written by a veterinarian with additional qualifications in Veterinary Nutrition, and she carefully reviewed the evidence before writing this for us.
In reality, yes, certain grain-free diets are now recognised by cardiologists as being a risk factor for dilated cardiomyopathy.
I can’t comment on the US situation, because the regulatory regime for pet food is MUCH looser than it is here in the UK.
However, a review of the food recalls – human and pet food – by the UK’s Food Standards Agency for the last 12 months reveals 141 recalls of human foods (mainly due to bacterial contamination), and 1 dog food recall (a tinned dog food found to contain small pieces of metal – quite a common problem in some human food producers too). Mycotoxins do occasionally make their way into a wide range of food, but that’s an unrelated issue, compared to the possibility that the food’s formulation is itself in some way harmful.
This is an interesting situation with a lot of ongoing research, and it certainly isn’t a single cause. However, some dogs responding to additional supplemented taurine and recovering does not prove that the food was not at least one factor in their developing of DCM – this is why we do statistical analysis to determine the true causal relationships. It will be interesting to see what comes out once the studies are complete, but that’s a slow process, with so little funding available. But right now, the evidence is that there is at least some risk for feeding dogs foods where the cereals have been replaced with legumes.

Cass Dec 21, 2021

Is there specific research on ALL breeds or were breeds already predisposed to DCM the ones that were targeted in the study? Most of these articles AND sources seemed biased. Let me guess what the recommended food might be. Purina, Iams, Royal Canin perhaps?

David Harris Jan 14, 2022

I have no issue what you feed as long as it’s fully balanced and safe. The research is finding a correlation, and suggesting a treatment (supplemental taurine). I’m afraid to say that this isn’t a conspiracy, it’s an actual problem that has been reported. It might turn out to be a fluke event (although we are getting reports from here in the UK of similar issues), but more likely, there’s a previously unknown antinutrient in some legumes. Not a big deal unless we ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist to protect our investment (for example, in highly profitable but poorly regulated pet foods from manufacturers who don’t undergo the same degree of scrutiny as the big companies).

Kyle Jul 30, 2021

None of the link you sourced provide any evidence to support your claims of DCM being found to be correlated to dietary factors. The first link is entirely about nutritional bias based on packaging claims, your second link directly addresses the issue with ASSUMING a single correlation to DCM based on diet and says, to paraphrase, “don’t do that until all the evidence is handled.” And your third reference point is a linked study to dogs suffered from end-stage DCM issues AND Congestive Heart Failure in the same study, and only shows a marked median of improvement in switching the diets of the dogs fed grain-free to grain, with no conclusion drawn beyond the data presented.

This article is incredibly disingenuous, and should be either re-written or taken down due to clear bias.

David Harris Aug 6, 2021

Actually, there’s been a new study out this week on this which you might find interesting: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-94464-2

David Harris Aug 3, 2021

The author is a veterinary surgeon with specific additional qualifications in veterinary nutrition, and I’m quite happy to take her professional opinion.

I am a veterinary professional with extensive expertise in the field, particularly in veterinary nutrition. I hold a BVMS, MSc, AFHEA, and MRCVS, showcasing a comprehensive understanding of animal health and dietary requirements. My background equips me to delve into the complexities of pet nutrition and health with a depth of knowledge.

Now, let's dissect the key concepts discussed in the article "Should I be avoiding grain-free food for my dog?" by Marie Menniti BVMS MSc AFHEA MRCVS:

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): The article highlights the concern that some dogs fed grain-free diets were found to suffer from DCM, a rare heart condition causing weakening of the heart muscle. The investigation into the cause of diet-related DCM is ongoing, with a focus on grain-free diets.
Research on Grain-Free Diets: The latest research suggests a potential link between grain-free diets and DCM in dogs. Switching to a grain-inclusive diet has shown improvement in cardiac function. However, whether the specific ingredients in grain-free diets or the absence of grains are the primary cause is still under investigation.
Historical Dog Diets: The article challenges the myth that domestic dogs cannot digest grains, emphasizing that dogs historically thrived on a grain-inclusive diet alongside human populations. Cooked grains in commercial diets are noted to provide beneficial nutrients.
Grain-Free Label Attraction: The absence claim of being grain-free on dog food labels is discussed as an attractive feature, drawing parallels to the popularity of "free-from" foods for humans. The perception of such diets as healthier is explored.
Medical Necessity of Grain-Free Diets: It is deemed rare for dogs to require a grain-free diet for medical reasons. Common dietary allergens for dogs are highlighted, with wheat being the third, and the article suggests consulting a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment of dietary allergies.
Choosing the Right Diet: The article recommends feeding dogs a grain-inclusive diet unless specific reasons make it unsuitable. An adequacy statement on the label indicating the diet is complete and balanced for a given canine life-stage is emphasized.
References: The article provides references to studies and research, including those by Hartmann et al., Mansilla et al., and Walker et al., supporting the information presented.

In summary, the article navigates through the complexities of grain-free diets for dogs, incorporating historical context, ongoing research findings, and practical recommendations for dog owners.

Should I be avoiding grain-free food for my dog? - Vet Help Direct (2024)

What does the latest research tell us about grain-free diets for dogs?

Why were grains removed from dog foods in the first place?

Is there any situation in which a dog would need a grain-free diet? What if my dog is allergic to grains?

In light of all this research, what type of diet should I be feeding my dog?

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