Charlie is on the road to recovery after his owners learned his diet could be harming his heart. Charlie has eaten a grain-free diet all his life. His owners thought they were doing the right thing for him – his food is marketed well and is not cheap!
In 2018, the FDA issued a warning about grain-free diets potentially causing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); a disease causing weak heart muscle pumping function. Unlike genetic/inherited DCM, diet-related cases are often reversible to some extent. Initially, taurine deficiency was suspected, but some affected dogs have normal taurine levels. More recently, concerns have expanded to “BEG” diets (boutique, exotic, grain-free), which are often high in legumes like peas, chickpeas, and lentils. These diets have been linked to reduced red blood cells and increased inorganic phosphate, possibly indicating iron deficiency or red cell damage. While more research is needed, current evidence suggests dogs should eat balanced diets that include grains to reduce the risk of DCM.
