FOOD ALLERGY



DIETS AND DCMWhat is DCM?DCM stands for Dilated CardioMyopathy. This is a heart condition in which the heart muscle becomes very stretched out causing an enlarged heart that beats very ineffectively. It can lead to complete heart failure. It is more common in certain large and giant breeds like Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, and Boxers. Recently there have been a growing number of reports of dogs who are not of the typically affected breeds who have developed DCM. The number of reports has been large enough to trigger an investigation by the FDA and several veterinary universities. This trend is still too new to know all the details behind it, but there is definitely an association between diet and this alarming increase in a potentially fatal condition.What diets are behind this?Because this is still under investigation, there is still a lot that is unknown. However, the common theme seems to be diets that are either grain-free, legume-rich (legumes are peas & beans), or a combination of the two. Some cardiologists and nutritionists have termed these diets “BEG diets” for botique (small company), exotic (strange proteins like kangaroo or alligator), and grain-free. None of the diets that have so far been associated with the condition have been through a feeding trial, and none of them were tested in their final formulation. The diets were only “formulated to meet AAFCO standards”, so it is possible there is some deficiency or excess that is causing this condition.Is it safe to continue feeding my dog grain-free food?As stated above, there is still a lot we do not know about this condition, but because the evidence seems to be pointing to these “BEG diets”, and because DCM is a potentially fatal condition, we recommend you reconsider your dog’s diet until we know more. At the very least, we recommend you educate yourself as much as possible so you can make an informed decision about your dog’s diet.But what about dogs that are allergic to grains?Food allergies are, thankfully, relatively uncommon in dogs, and those dogs that do have food allergies are most often allergic to beef, chicken, and dairy proteins. Grain allergies are very uncommon. Dogs that truly have food allergies can safely be fed prescription hypoallergenic foods as these foods have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they are safe to be fed. How are diets regulated and tested?In the United States, pet food is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). All pet foot sold must include an “AAFCO Statement” that explains if a diet is complete and balanced (vs. meant to be fed only as a treat), what life stage it is for (puppies, adult dogs, or all stages), and whether it has undergone a feeding trial or is formulated to meet the standards. A feeding trial means, in essence, that a food was fed to dogs for a period of 6 months, and no deficiencies were found. Foods that are formulated to meet the standards can either be evaluated based on the ingredients used in the food, or the final product can be tested to determine the levels of the nutrients that are present in the final product. Feeding trials are the gold standard within the pet food industry; however, not many companies perform them because there are very strict and expensive to perform. The second best method is testing the final product, but again, no many companies do this due to the cost and time involved. Most pet food companies these days instead use established nutrient profiles for different ingredients to create their diets, thus ignoring possible interactions between different nutrients.All of this, unfortunately, makes it very difficult and confusing for you as a pet owner to evaluate the quality of a food. In fact, it is almost impossible to judge a food based only on the information printed on the bag or can.I’ve been feeding grain-free or exotic-type food, does my dog have DCM?Most likely not. The vast majority of dogs who eat these diets will be fine. If you do notice any signs of heart failure (weakness, slowing down, rapid breathing, coughing, fainting), please schedule an appointment right away so your dog can be evaluated. If my dog does develop DCM, can it be treated?The good news is that diet-related DCM does seem to be more treatable that the traditional form of DCM. While some dogs do have permanent damage, there are also many dogs that recover once they are transitioned to a more traditional food and receive heart medications for a period of time.Where can I find more information?There are several websites and handouts with information about this condition and about pet nutrition in general:vetnutrition.tufts.edu is a fantastic place to start. has information of pet food regulations.Also, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association has developed some handouts about pet nutrition in general that can be found at And here is the press release from the FDA: ................
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