More than 90 percent of products were “grain-free”, and 93 percent of reported products had peas and/or lentils.
This is a fascinating new study that all dog owners should read. Notice the spike in cases starting in 2018, which is exactly when the new "fad" grain free diets hit the over-the-counter pet store shelves.
The report can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy?fbclid=IwAR1WtuGO3OHV9a8-vQh9SklT-CTD52GdDprf4lBityfs1BJkFw3VD_d2TWM
Please read the diets on the list.... notice that the veterinary formulated diets, such as Royal Canin and Hill's, are NOT on the list.
So many of our very nice, loving, yet innocently misinformed clients proudly tell us that they are feeding a boutique style pet food that is "really expensive"... and it also is usually (and unfortunately) grain free these days.
We have been preaching AGAINST grain free diets for the past 2 years... and now here is the study that is bringing the whole problem to the front of everyone's awareness.
We still have a lot to learn... I'm afraid that this is just the beginning of a long, dark journey.
Take home point: Do not feed your dog a grain free diet, unless it has been doctor ordered because of a specific (and correctly diagnosed) food allergy.
Sincerely, and with love and concern,
Dr. Kimberly Daffner
(310) 376-0072
kdaffner@fpcrb.com