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Isthmus Veterinary Care, Marc Siegel, DVM

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Isthmus Veterinary Care, Marc Siegel, DVM
Marc Seigel, DVM

Dear Dr. Marc,

My neighbor told me grain-free diets can cause heart issues in dogs. Is this true? I’ve been feeding Bear a grain-free kibble for years.

May L.

Hi May,

You’re not alone. Many dog parents have similar concerns.

To answer your question, yes, there is growing evidence that grain-free dog foods are linked to a heart condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Unfortunately, there is a lot we don’t know. Here are the facts:

  • DCM is a serious disease that causes the heart to enlarge and beat with less force, potentially causing heart failure.
  • DCM has been found to be associated with dogs fed a grain-free diet, usually with peas and/or lentils. However, all grain-free diets put your dog at an increased risk.
  • The cause remains a bit of a mystery. A deficiency in the amino acid taurine has been suspected, but there seems to be more to the disease than a simple nutritional deficiency.
  • DCM is reversible if caught in time. 

Signs of heart disease include: weakness, lethargy, shortness of breath and coughing. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your pet to a veterinarian right away. Your vet will listen for a heart murmur and/or abnormal heart rhythm and may perform additional testing.

I would like to add my two cents regarding grain-free diets. Grain allergies are rare in dogs. Clients ask me why dog foods contain grains when wolves don’t eat grains in the wild. My answer is: dogs are not wolves. Dogs have been evolving with humans for tens of thousands of years to be able to digest our food. Grains are full of nutrients and safe for dogs to eat.

Veterinary researchers and the FDA are busy investigating this disease, and more information should be available in the near future.

Have questions for Dr. Marc? Send us an email at info@isthmusvetcare.com.