Study Sparks Renewed Interest in Dog Food Controversy
Many first-time pet owners walk into their local pet store looking a little confused about what kind of food they should buy for their pets. It’s a sight all store owners see daily, and it’s because the market has grown saturated with manufacturers claiming their pet supplies are the best and safest choice that makes it difficult for a pet owner to decide.
It has also been hard for pet owners to make up their minds due to the controversy surrounding grain-free dog food and its relation to conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This controversy has been going on for over a few years now, and it has caused dog owners further confusion and sometimes even panic.
These emotions were sparked anew recently when a study on this topic was published in December 2020 by the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. But before we get into that new development, let’s go over the facts of the controversy.
There Is No Clear Evidence against Grain-Free Dog Food
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) suspected a correlation between grain-free dog food and instances of canine DCM. As a result, many members of the scientific community decided to take a closer look into the topic, churning out dozens and dozens of research in the process.
In November 2020, however, Pet Product News released an article clarifying that the FDA acknowledged there was no clear evidence indicating that grain-free food with pulse ingredients is dangerous for dogs. It was during a virtual scientific forum hosted by Kansas State University.
Even earlier than that, on June 15, 2020, the Journal of Animal Science published a study that concluded grain-free dog food has no definitive link between canine DCM. Many veterinarians, veterinary cardiologists, and animal nutritionists from BSM Partners, a pet care research and consulting firm, supported the study accordingly.
Now with all those facts laid down, what does this new study have to say?
What Does the New Study Say?
A study was published in December of 2020 by the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. It claimed that dogs with DCM consuming non-traditional dog food were more likely to show signs of significant improvement in cardiac function if they switched to a traditional diet with regular heart medication treatments.
The non-traditional dog food mentioned in the study pertained to grain-free dog food, particularly those containing legumes or pulses. The study reviewed medical records of dogs diagnosed with DCM between January 1, 2014, and September 30, 2018. Researchers then grouped them into traditional and non-traditional diet categories, regardless of whether their diets had changed after the diagnosis.
Although the study found that the dogs improved at a greater rate when they were put back on traditional diets, more investigation was needed. This is to determine whether there is a possible link between the canine heart condition and the kind of diet they have.
Conclusion
The new study ultimately admitted what most professionals in the community already agreed on, which is that they require more research on the topic. There is no definitive connection between canine DCM and grain-free dog food, and the FDA has yet to conclude the investigations they’ve been conducting on the matter.
Given this, the study could reignite the concerns and confusion many dog owners already have about the food they buy from their local pet stores. There haven’t been any studies making a direct claim that grain-free dog food is bad for your pets, but if you’re still in doubt, it’s always possible to have a consultation with a veterinarian.
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