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by Dr. Laura Duclos
Pet parents take great pride in giving their pupthe healthiest and happiest life, so it’s no wonder that new products and dietscontinually flood the market. The problem is distinguishing what is healthy foryour dog from the hype.
Among the diets popping up, alongside exotic ingredient diets like kangaroo and chickpeas, grain-free dog food fills a sizable chunk of the marketplace. The grain-free popularity took a turn in 2018 however after the FDA announced it had begun investigating new reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its potential link to grain-free dog food. The concern centered around cases where dogs not previously predisposed to the disease had been diagnosed with DCM.
WhatBreeds Are Prone to Get the Heart Disease Associated with Grain-Free Diets?
Some breeds, especially large and giant breeds,have a predisposition to DCM. These breeds include Doberman Pinschers, GreatDanes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and Saint Bernards. While DCM is lesscommon in medium and small breeds, English and American co*cker Spaniels arealso predisposed to this condition.
When early reports from the veterinary cardiologycommunity indicated that recent, atypical cases in breeds like GoldenRetrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus all consistentlyate grain alternatives in their diets, the FDA took notice.
The grain alternatives being closely scrutinizedare lentils, peas, and potatoes–common substitutions used in grain-free dogfood. So the issue wasn’t the lack of grain, but rather the plant-based foodused in the recipes as an alternative.
WhatStarted the Grain-Free Trend?
There are likely several factors at play, but thepopularity of grain-free dog food gained traction around the same time as humangrain-free dietary trends like the paleo diet hit the scene. Health-consciouspet parents naturally want to ensure that their pets eat just as well as theydo, but what’s healthy for humans isn’t necessarily nutritiously balanced fordogs. And dietary requirements can be vastly different from pup to pup–even ifthey are the same breed and age. Many factors need to be considered whenformulating healthy dog food.
Another possible contributing factor was likelythe melamine pet food recall in 2007. Some kibble manufacturers used grain fractions(eg, wheat gluten) contaminated with melamine from China. This caused kidneydisease in a lot of pets. Pet parents turned to grain-free dog food believingit to be a safer, healthier option for their pets.
Is a Grain-Free Diet Helpful or Harmful?
There’s no reason to expressly avoid grainsunless your dog has a specific intolerance to them or some condition thatrequires a diet low in carbohydrates. And grain-free dog food can be harmful todogs when coupled with a high-protein diet.
A high-protein, high-fat diet may have long termeffects, such as harm to the kidneys which become over-taxed attempting toflush out excess through the urinary system. Unless grain-free dog food isrequired for specific health concerns (ie, weight management, diabetes, cancer,inflamed gut), a dog’s diet should include the appropriate balance of grains.
Since there has been a link to cardiomyopathy, be sure to check with your veterinarian if your pup has a history or is predisposed to heart disease. These diets are not recommended for any breed predisposed to heart disease.
What Isthe ‘Right’ Amount of Grain for a Dog’s Diet?
While grains may not be right for every pup, theyare a nutritious source of lean protein, vitamins, and minerals. High-quality,whole grains can support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and inmanaging large and small bowel disease. The can also help pups feel fulllonger, which can be a successful strategy in managing weight for some pups.
As with any healthy diet, the proper balance ofnutritional ingredients is essential for optimal health. Too much or too littleof an ingredient can have an impact on the health of your dog.
High Percentage of Grains: An excess offiber-rich grains can dilute the nutrients creating meals that lack thenutritional requirements. And certain fiber types decrease a pup’s ability toabsorb minerals in their food. A grain-packed meal may also deliver morecarbohydrates than is healthy, resulting in weight gain and other healthconcerns. In addition, somelow-quality pet food manufacturers can overdo it. Grains are cheaper thanmeat-based ingredients, so they may use more in their recipes than isbeneficial for pups.
Low Percentage of Grains: For active pups thatneed the energy provided by plenty of healthy carbohydrates, food low incarb-rich grains will result in lethargy unless supplemented with other healthyplant-based carbs. In addition, fiber found in grains and other plant-based ingredientsis necessary to support the elimination process. Diets low in grains and othercarbs are generally higher in fat, which can put stress on the pancreas andcertain liver conditions.
The qualityof grains is also very important to consider. Some productson the market are packed full of highly processed grain which strips the foodof powerful nutraceutical properties and beneficial phytonutrients. Wholegrains, as opposed to cheap, over-processed fillers, can contribute valuablenutrients to canine diets, including vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids,and fiber that are naturally present in high-quality grains like brown rice,oats, and teff.
Whether you are considering a grain-free dog food or not, it’s best to work with your veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to understand your pup’s specific dietary needs and what the best dog food is to support them. If your dog has health considerations, another option is ordering personalized dog food. Not only is it a simple way to take the guesswork out of mealtime, but many dog food delivery services bring nutritious and healthy dog food right to your door.
Ultimately, it’s not a question of grain-free or not, but understanding the right balance of ingredients for your pup’s unique dietary needs.
Dr. Laura Duclos leads the Research and Development team at Puppo. She has over 16 years of experience in developing nutritional pet food that supports animal health and wellbeing. Her clinical research has been featured in prominent publications and scientific journals. She has been an invited speaker at numerous international veterinary conferences on pet nutrition and innovation.
