Recent studies show no direct link between grain-free diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Both grain-free and grain-inclusive diets can be healthy.

Many professionals now recommend grain-inclusive diets as healthier, despite no scientific evidence proving either is superior. Some brands have added grain-inclusive recipes, potentially driven by sales, as they have not discontinued grain-free options.

Normally, we recommend turning to the source of the information, such as the FDA, rather than news outlets. However, in this case, the FDA’s actions have been widely criticized and questioned, adding to the confusion.

The reason behind the continued recommendation of grain-inclusive diets remains unclear given the lack of evidence. During times of uncertainty, rotating between grain-free and grain-inclusive diets may be beneficial if there are no stronger factors like allergies or specific preferences.

Background

Grain-free pet foods gained popularity over the past two decades due to marketing trends and consumer demand, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their superiority. In 2018, the FDA investigated a potential link between grain-free diets and DCM after a rise in reported cases. This investigation led to significant public concern and economic impact (both negative and positive) on certain pet food brands.

Key Findings

Study Results: Recent studies, including one published in Frontiers in Animal Science, found no evidence that grain-free diets cause DCM. Researchers analyzed cardiac biomarkers and other health indicators in dogs fed both grain-free and grain-inclusive diets and found no development of DCM.

FDA Investigation: The FDA received fewer reports of DCM cases from 2020 to 2022. Their investigation did not establish a causal link between grain-free diets and DCM but highlighted the need for more comprehensive pet food research.

Diet Composition: Both grain-free and grain-inclusive diets can be formulated to be high-quality, complete, and balanced. The critical factor is ensuring the diet is not predominantly grain-based.