- Chicken with Vegetables and Herbs – Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Pearled Barley, Duck Meal, Canola Oil, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley
- Salmon with Vegetables and Herbs – Salmon Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Canola Oil, Oatmeal, Tomato Pomace, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley
- Senior Dog Reduced Calorie – Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Sorghum, Dried Beet Pulp, Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat [Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)], Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, ...
- Lamb Meal with Fruits and Vegetables – Lamb Meal, White Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, Canola Oil, Egg Product, Carrots, Celery
- Large Breed Dog Diet – Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat [Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)], Egg Product, Pearled Barley, Brewers Dried Yeast, Menhaden ...
- All Breed Dog Diet – Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Pearled Barley, Dried Beet Pulp, Sorghum, Chicken Fat [Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)], Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Tomato Pomace, ...
- Puppy Diet – Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat [Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)], Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Meal, ...
What is the best health dog food?
- ORIJEN Original High-Protein Grain Free, Adult Healthy Dog Food
- Grain Free with 85% animal ingredients.
- Vitamins A, E and high-quality proteins promoting optimum health for your dog
- Calcium and phosphorous supporting healthy teeth and gums
- Probiotics, prebiotics and natural fiber combination improving digestion in meals.
What is the best diet for a small dog?
What Is The Best Diet Dog Food For Small Dogs? some of your vegetables, such as baby carrots, frozen, thinly sliced or thinly sliced carrots, broccoli, green beans, celery, or asparagus, and give two or three slices. Try crunchy foods if possible because most dogs love them.
What is the best dog food for heart disease?
The Best Dog Food for Congestive Heart Failure Are …
- Hill’s Prescription Diet H/D Heart Care — Best Dog Food for Heart Disease. ...
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Early Cardiac Dry Dog Food — Runner Up. ...
- Natural Balance L.I.D. ...
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Formula. ...
- Wellness Complete Health Adult Lamb & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food. ...
Does your dog need a veterinary diet?
When to ask your veterinarian about a veterinary diet. You may not know when a veterinary diet is right for your pet. But, a change in your pet’s attitude or behavior— like a decrease in energy level or appetite— should prompt a conversation with your veterinarian about your pet's health, and that might result in a recommendation to switch food.
What food is good for dogs with DCM?
Some balanced diets include Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Canine Cardiac, Rayne Clinical Nutrition™ Restrict-CKD™, or Hill's® Prescription Diet® h/d®. Your veterinarian will help you determine the most appropriate nutrient profile at each stage of your dog's heart disease progression.
How do you reverse DCM in dogs?
Changing the dog's diet and supplementing taurine has led to a reversal of the DCM in some instances. Unfortunately, the improvements may take six to twelve months to occur. “In many of the cases, the dogs are already in heart failure by the time DCM is diagnosed.
What food is good for dog with heart disease?
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Heart DiseasesRoyal Canin Vet Diet Early Cardiac Dry Food – Best Overall. ... Spot & Tango Dog Kibble – Best Value. ... Hill's Prescription Heart Care Chicken Flavor. ... Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food. ... Purina One +Plus Joint Health. ... ACANA Wholesome Grains Small Breed Recipe.More items...•
What DCM dogs should not eat?
Avoid foods with lentils, legumes and potatoes. Any food that contains these ingredients is a poor-quality food and, even if your dog isn't at risk for DCM, he may be lacking other key nutrients when fed these foods. These foods are also high in phytic acid.
Are potatoes linked to DCM in dogs?
In July 2018, the FDA warned about a potential link between DCM and the consumption of grain-free pet foods—or, more specifically, pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legumes, or potatoes as their main ingredients.
Are potatoes linked to DCM?
Researchers analyzed more than 800 compounds in foods that the FDA flagged as being associated with the severe heart disease and found that peas, potatoes, and sweet potatoes were most frequently tied to canine DCM cases.
Are eggs OK for dogs with heart disease?
While the cholesterol in eggs may be harmful to us, it doesn't have the same effect on your dog. They don't suffer from those cholesterol-related diseases that we do. So your dog can enjoy the whole egg, and if you're giving him too much, you'll notice the weight gain long before any other health issues arise.
Is salmon good for dogs with heart disease?
The short answer is yes. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support the immune system, may decrease inflammation, and can keep your dog's coat looking shiny and healthy. It's also a good protein source.
Is peanut butter good for dogs with heart disease?
No, dogs cannot eat peanut butter. Even dog-friendly peanut butter should not be fed to dogs, it contains inflammation-causing ingredients, dangerous mould, rancid fats and is linked to heart disease and obesity. My advice to you is to completely cut it from your dog's diet. Peanuts do much more harm than good.
Should you avoid peas in dog food?
You can find peas being used in some of the most popular dog food products out there. Peas are perfectly fine for your dog, but they're not necessary. They are a complex carbohydrate, so they are absorbed into the body slowly over time. When compared to simple carbohydrate fillers, they are a much better alternative.
How long can a dog live with dilated cardiomyopathy?
On average, the majority of dogs with asymptomatic DCM can live for 1-3 years before they develop any clinical signs of heart failure. However, a few will die suddenly.
Are sweet potatoes good for dogs?
Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good for Dogs. Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.
Overview
In 2018, the FDA’s investigation into a link between DCM and dog food alarmed pet owners.
What is DCM?
Dilated cardiomyopathy affects the heart muscle in dogs, stretching it out and making it harder for the heart to pump and contract. It can lead to blood backing up in the heart or fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Is Grain-Free Dog Food Linked to DCM?
Since the news broke, pet owners have been asking whether there is a strong link between grain-free dog food and DCM.
Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian About DCM
DCM is one of the most commonly acquired heart diseases in dogs, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
What is DCM in dogs?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurs when the heart muscle becomes weak. This leads to a loss of the ability to contract normally and pump blood throughout the body. A genetic predisposition is suspected since some breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, and Boxers, are more commonly affected. Deficiencies in some amino acids (such as ...
What foods are bad for dogs?
A common thread among affected dogs was the consumption of foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. This led the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate an investigation into the potential link between DCM and these foods in July 2018.
Is dog anxiety multifactorial?
While dog-owners are anxious for answers, the problem is complex, and the cause is likely multifactorial. Several research studies are underway to explore these factors, including a multi-institutional, prospective study supported by the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF).
Who wrote the article about DCM in dogs?
Pet food retailers on frontline with consumers’ DCM fears (Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, September 11, 2019) Articles written by Tim Wall, staff reporter, about the potential link between diet and DCM in dogs.
What do dogs eat?
Our dogs eat rice, oatmeal, quinoa, barley, and other grains. We do avoid corn and wheat in non-human-grade dog foods, as feed-grade corn and wheat are more likely to be contaminated with molds and their toxins, which are not destroyed during the processing used to create pet food.
Why is taurine linked to DCM?
The first is the link between taurine and DCM in cats that was discovered in the 1980s. The second is the link between taurine and DCM in certain dogs being fed lamb and rice diets that first came to light in the 1990s. Because we know that a lack of sufficient taurine or its precursors can cause DCM in otherwise healthy dogs of all breeds and mixed breeds, it appears to be the most likely culprit in this current situation.
What breeds of dogs have low taurine levels?
In addition to the breeds named in our article, other breeds suspected of developing DCM associated with low blood taurine levels include the Dalmatian, Boxer, Portuguese Water Dog, Alaskan Malamute, Scottish Terrier, Irish Wolfhound.
What is the second most common animal protein in reported foods?
Our analysis of foods named in the FDA reports found that more than 20% of these reports involved diets where lamb was the primary meat source; this included several of the foods with the most reports. The FDA’s analysis found lamb was the second-most common animal protein in reported foods (after chicken).
Which has more taurine, chicken or meat?
Heart (e.g., beef heart, chicken hearts) has much more taurine than muscle meat or other organs. Dark poultry meat has 10 times more taurine than white meat, with beef, lamb, pork, and fish falling in between. Eggs are high in methionine and cysteine (taurine’s precursors) but have little taurine.
Is DCM the same for all dogs?
The risk of diet-related DCM is not the same for all dogs. Certain breeds of dogs (or lines within breeds) are susceptible to DCM due to taurine insufficiency, where the amount of taurine (or its precursors, methionine and cysteine) in the diet is enough for most dogs, but not for them.
WHAT IS DCM?
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy is a severe heart condition in dogs that used to be thought of primarily as genetically predisposed in certain breeds. It happens when the muscles of the heart walls become weakened and have to work harder to compensate and pump blood properly.
WHAT IS TAURINE?
Taurine is classified as a non-essential amino acid. This means that, in contrast to essential amino acids, dogs normally make taurine internally – they do not typically need to obtain it from their diet. Taurine deficiency, in theory, should not be a problem for dogs because dogs are able to synthesize taurine from the meats in their diets.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR PUP?
The best way to select what is really the best food for your pet is to ensure the manufacturer has excellent nutritional expertise and rigorous quality control standards. Avoid brands that use ingredient splitting to hide the fact that their recipes are dominated by non-meat items… like corn, rice or legumes.
IS PET PLATE SAFE FOR MY DOG?
As pet parents, we are always worrying if our four-legged family members are getting exactly what they need from their food. With Pet Plate, you don’t need to worry. Here’s why our fresh-cooked food is a safe and healthy choice for your pet:
How many dogs have DCM?
The agency released initial results of that investigation in June 2019, stating it had received 524 reports involving 560 dogs and 14 cats diagnosed with DCM. Some reports included multiple pets in the same household.
What is the common thread in dog food?
The important take away here is that according to the FDA, the common thread appears to be foods with legumes, pulses (seeds of legumes), and/or potatoes as main ingredients in the food. NOT the brand. Our family lost a dog to heart failure after being fed dog foods on the FDA list with those ingredients for most of its life.
What is the most common food allergen in dogs?
The most common food allergens in dogs are chicken, beef, dairy, egg and fish. Not grains. I’m focused on dry dog food because it is just the best option for our busy family to economically feed two big Labrador Retrievers. My eyes are crossed from reading ingredient lists looking for the best dog food without peas, legumes or potatoes.
When did grain free pet food start?
The grain-free pet food trend really began during the Great Melamine Pet Food Recall of 2007, in which more than 100 different brands of pet food were recalled after a grain ingredient imported from China was found contaminated with melamine.
Does Diamond Pet Foods manufacture their own food?
For instance, Diamond Pet Foods manufactures its own products, and also manufacture products for numerous other brands under co-packing contract with their facilities.
Can dogs eat grain?
Each has its own pros and cons. Unless your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance to grains, don’t be afraid to feed a dog food with grain. The fact is that the percentage of dogs with a food allergy is low. The most common food allergens in dogs are chicken, beef, dairy, egg and fish. Not grains.
Is dog food grain free?
In a nutshell, the FDA report said brands of dog food varied widely and included both grain-free and grain-containing diets in all forms (dry kibble, canned, raw, home-cooked). Dry food was the most prevalent.
1. Encourage light exercise and avoid exhaustion
Even with DCM, your furkid still needs light physical activity. If your dog isn’t showing signs like difficulty breathing and coughing, it’s alright to let him play. Just make sure he doesn’t exhaust himself and stop when he seems tired.
2. Avoid giving salty food and treats
Eating salty foods and treats can cause a spike on your furkid’s blood sodium levels. This increases his risk of high blood pressure which is a contributor to heart disease. Opt for low to no sodium diets to avoid stressing out your furkid’s heart muscles.
3. Opt for omega–3 rich food
Omega–3 offers a lot of benefits to your furkid’s heart. It helps reduce inflammation and lessen muscle loss. Omega–3 also helps protect your dog’s heart against arrhythmia (or abnormal heart rhythms), which is common to dogs with DCM.
4. Choose a taurine-rich diet
Taurine is an important amino acid that helps strengthen your furkid’s heart so that it can pump blood efficiently. A deficiency in this amino acid causes dilated cardiomyopathy in both dogs and cats. If your dog is suffering from DCM, his body may no longer be able to make enough taurine for his needs.
Research?
It’s very easy and very common in the pet food industry to conduct a seemingly legitimate study which “links” some kind of cause to some kind of condition. A tenuous hypothesis can easily be publicised through media, viralised, and become widely believed as “fact”. If it’s on the Internet, it’s true, isn’t it?
Taurine – From brains, retina, heart, and blood of prey
If you read the reports, or if you study previous research on DCM, you’ll note taurine appears a key factor. It’s an amino acid sourced from animals, particularly the brains, retina, heart, and blood.
Pet food problems
I speak about this a lot, but for the record I see two major problems with how people feed their pets:
Why is the DCM study (mostly) a farce?
Firstly, the powers that be (FDA, Dr Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN) shouted from the rooftops – “Hey, we think grain free foods are causing heart failure!”.
How can I protect my pet from heart failure?
Drawing conclusions (or hypotheses) from the reports, some lessons to be learned are:
