{"id":3944,"date":"2019-09-02T08:36:13","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T08:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.addictionfoods.com\/blog\/?p=3944"},"modified":"2021-03-12T08:08:04","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T08:08:04","slug":"should-you-be-cautious-grain-free-diets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/addictionpet.com\/en-nz\/blog\/should-you-be-cautious-grain-free-diets\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Be Cautious About Grain-free Diets?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Because <\/span>of its link to DCM or dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs<\/span>, grain-free diets are now under fire. The US FDA has identified <\/span>16 grain-free dog food brands<\/span><\/a> (as of this writing) that may have caused DCM to dogs. <\/span>With this happening, other brands are feeling the brunt of this announcement. <\/span>But should you be cautious about grain-free diets?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Establishing <\/span><\/b>the DCM <\/span><\/b>link<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

From<\/span> July 2018 through 2019, more than 500 dogs have been reported to have DCM. Most of these dogs (<\/span>91% in fact<\/span><\/a>) were found to have been eating grain-free diet. These grain-free diets, <\/span>93% of it<\/span><\/a>, were found to have lentils and\/or peas.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now here\u2019s where it gets interesting. Grain-free diets, as its <\/span>name<\/span> suggests, do not contain grains<\/span> like <\/span>corn, rice, barley, etc. <\/span>Instead, <\/span>they were replaced with <\/span>large amounts of <\/span>potatoes, peas, lentils, and legumes.<\/span> These grain replacements are a substitute form of starch that is needed to extrude or make kibbles. Also, peas, lentils, and legumes are all high in protein, making them a cheaper alternative source <\/span>for animal protein. Note that peas, lentils, and legumes are all plant-based proteins, so they do not contain taurine at all.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

DCM is linked to taurine deficiency. The 500+ dogs found to have DCM were fed with grain-free diets <\/span>that were <\/span>identified by the FDA.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What to look for in a grain-free diet<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

While not all dog<\/span> breed<\/span>s are <\/span>pre-disposed to DCM<\/span><\/a> like others, it\u2019s good to read the label if the grain-free diet we\u2019re giving to our canine pets contain taurine. Some grain-free diet manufacturers have included the amino acid taurine in their dog food.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, we\u2019re still on the lookout for a balanced diet for our dogs. According to <\/span>Dogster<\/span><\/a>, \u201c<\/span>An average dog should have a diet that is 50% vegetable, 40% meat and 10% grain. All dogs also require some fat, amount dependent on their level of activity. Dogs also need approximately 4% of their diets to be fiber.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many grain-free <\/span>diets have <\/span>more protein and animal fats and <\/span>less <\/span>carbohydrates<\/span>, making them easily digested by our canine pets<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of a grain-free diet<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Healthy, shinier coat<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Improved skin<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Less shredding<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Eliminates many allergies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. More energy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Better breath<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Fewer and <\/span>compact <\/span>stools<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Less flatulence<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So yes, caution is needed when feeding <\/span>your dog grain-free diets. <\/span>Always consult your veterinarian about what kind of diet your canine friend needs. And if you\u2019re giving him a grain-free diet, m<\/span>ake sure that <\/span>the<\/span> diet not only promotes heart health like the <\/span>dog foods from Addiction Foods<\/span><\/a>, but his overall wellbeing too<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Buy Addiction Foods\u2019 Dry Pet Foods in a <\/span>store near you<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Like us on <\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a> and follow us on <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a> for more pet health and nutrition updates.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    For further reading:<\/span><\/i><\/b>
    \n<\/span>    https:\/\/www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com\/truth-grain-free-dog-foods-dcm\/<\/span><\/a>
    \n<\/span>    https:\/\/www.caninejournal.com\/grain-free-dog-food\/<\/span><\/a>
    \n<\/span>    https:\/\/breedingbusiness.com\/benefits-grain-free-dog-foods\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n\r\n\t\t
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    \r\n \"Loading\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Because of its link to DCM or dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, grain-free diets are now under fire. The US FDA has identified 16 grain-free dog food brands (as of this writing) that may have caused DCM to dogs. With this happening, other brands are feeling the brunt of this announcement. But should you be cautious […]<\/p>\n\r\n\t\t

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