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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Sandra's Avatar
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    Grain free food link to heart issues in Labs

    Charlie went for his yearly checkup this morning. Our veterinarian recommended that we stop feeding grain free (we feed Fromm). He says there are definitive links to heart ailments especially in large dogs.
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  2. #2
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Yes, this has been all over the internet for a few months now. Grain Free probably isn't the way to go unless your dog absolutely needs it, and honestly, most don't have grain allergies. I have an 11 year old on a GF and only because it's one of the few that I can find that is 100% chicken-free and that he does well on. I am not too worried about his heart. Plus some of the offending ingredients are not really present in his food. His is potato heavy vs. legume heavy.

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    Sandra (03-19-2019)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog
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    I've always thought of "Grain-Free" foods as very gimmicky. Maybe just another way to sell their products. Years ago, you would never hear of such a thing and I've always wondered why any dog would need a grain free diet.

    If you really think about it, it makes no sense.

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    Sandra (03-19-2019)

  6. #4
    Real Retriever BogeyBaby's Avatar
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    I belong to a FB group devoted to it. It is tragic that so many dogs are getting it and dying so young. I've always been circumspect on the grain-free foods that have so many other starches as the prime ingredients. I do feel that what I'm feeding is a good quality food (Darwin's raw--70% meat, 30% grains and vegetables and only one of those is yams).

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  8. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by JenC View Post
    Yes, this has been all over the internet for a few months now. Grain Free probably isn't the way to go unless your dog absolutely needs it, and honestly, most don't have grain allergies. I have an 11 year old on a GF and only because it's one of the few that I can find that is 100% chicken-free and that he does well on. I am not too worried about his heart. Plus some of the offending ingredients are not really present in his food. His is potato heavy vs. legume heavy.
    Chloe is on grain free (Annamaet Lean) because it is one of the only foods that she easily maintains weight on, but now that she is training less (and getting less treats!), she gets Pro-Plan a few times a week, and has always gotten other foods (human) in addition, so this has never made up her sole source of nutrition. It does have peas, but also potatoes - no other legumes, and lots of meat meals (chicken, duck, fish). So far her heart is fine and she will be 10 in June.

    The other two have been on Pro-Plan their whole lives and done well. For some reason grain inclusive foods go right to Chloe's waist (I think she gets it from me, LOL).
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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    Sandra (03-19-2019)

  10. #6
    Senior Dog Sandra's Avatar
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    Yes, a gimmick that a lot of people fell for, including me.

  11. #7
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Annette47 View Post
    ... For some reason grain inclusive foods go right to Chloe's waist (I think she gets it from me, LOL).
    Tickle has the FAT gene too. She can lay on a cooking magazine and gain weight.

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  13. #8
    Senior Dog Black Labbies's Avatar
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    Even we RAW/homemade feeders feed grains, etc. Years ago it was a big no-no to feed grains with raw, but we stuck with our vet's advice and fed grains/wheat/carb, and all in moderation.
    With Opal at almost 14 years old, we've reduce the meat protein and increased the grains/wheat. She's holding her weight well (she was losing too much). Ursa, does better with boiled yams as her carb.
    I say, feed what works best for your dog.

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  15. #9
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    I have been away from this board since the before all the account data was lost. So, needless to say I am behind on the current topics but thought to come here after seeing that Grain Free has come under fire. Is it the lack of grains? The starches? Or that they typically have higher protein? Thanks!!


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  16. #10
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Welcome back! What was your board name before?

    Well, the FDA hasn't said what they think the exact cause is, possibly the legumes (pulses) and possibly potatoes are somehow blocking the absorption or production of some amino acids important to heart function. Taurine is the most frequently named amino acid and many food manufacturers have begun adding taurine to their foods. However, if something is blocking the absorption or production of taurine, then throwing more into the food won't necessarily fix the problem. And some dogs do not have low taurine levels but still develop the dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) related to their diets. Dogs with this condition show improvement with diet change and medication. If it's not related to diet but genetic, then improvement is less likely or doesn't happen.

    Dog foods referred to as BEG diets, which are Boutique brands, Exotic ingredients and Grain-free have been identified as those most frequently associated with nutritionally mediated DCM. There are 2 other threads on here about DCM, one I started that has a link to a Facebook group and one for those with no FB account. I'll try to find those links and add them here. It's heartbreaking to see the number of dogs, all breeds, sick and dying from this condition.

    There are studies being done, started particularly at UCDavis when they noticed an unusual number of GRs developing DCM, to try to determine the cause. In the meantime, most groups are advising people to feed dry food that meet certain criteria, including the companies have full time board certified veterinary nutritionists on staff and also do feeding trials of their foods, not just formulate foods that should meet the AAFCO standards but haven't actually been tested in feeding trials. The only commercial brands that meet the criteria include Purina, Royal Canin, Eukanuba/Iams, and Hill's Science Diet. There may be a few other criteria these companies meet as well. For people who cannot stomach feeding those foods, first of all, please consider reading through some of the information before turning away from them, and if you want to cook or feed raw, they're suggesting working with a board certified veterinary nutritionist to make certain the diet is balanced.

    I'll find the links and come back to add them here.

    Taurine DCM Canine taurine-linked dilated cardiomyopathy resources and information

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaurineDCM/

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