Voss: Addressing grain-free diets
Dr. Kelly VossFollow
dr.kellyvoss@gmail.com
A discussion of hot topics in veterinary nutrition would be incomplete without addressing grain-free diets. In the early 2000s, pet food companies jumped on a trend that was gaining popularity in human nutrition: eliminating grains. Growing awareness of celiac disease and food sensitivities, along with the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets, led many people to question the role of grains in their own diets and, by extension, in their pets’ diets
First, let’s clarify what we mean by grains. Common grains found in pet foods include corn, wheat, rice and barley. Soy is a legume, not a grain, although it is often discussed alongside grains in conversation about pet food ingredients. The truth is that true grain allergies are rare in dogs and cats, so there is generally little reason for most pets to avoid grains
A dog eating a grain-free diet does not necessarily have a problem simply because the diet contains no grains. If the food is complete and balanced and meets the individual dog’s nutritional needs, it can be an appropriate diet. However, significant concerns have been raised about an association between certain grain-free diets and a serious heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM
Before we get into the diet connection, let’s review what DCM is and why veterinarians care about it. DCM occurs when the heart chambers become enlarged and the heart muscle becomes thin and weak. As a result, the heart has difficulty contracting effectively and pumping blood throughout the body. Over time, this can lead to congestive heart failure.
DCM can have a genetic component, which is why we commonly see it in breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Boxers and Irish Wolfhounds. But nutrition can also play a role. Taurine, an amino acid important for normal heart muscle function, is particularly relevant. In some animals, inadequate taurine intake or problems with taurine metabolism can contribute to DCM
The connection between nutrition and heart disease is not new. Veterinarians recognized decades ago that inadequate taurine in commercial cat foods could cause DCM in cats. Supplementing taurine subsequently became an essential part of feline nutrition, and commercial cat foods were reformulated to ensure adequate taurine levels
What has been particularly interesting about recent canine cases is that most affected dogs have had normal taurine concentrations in their blood. This suggests that the relationship between diet and DCM is more complicated than simply not getting enough taurine
In 2018, the FDA began investigating reports of DCM in dogs that did not have the genetic predisposition we would typically associate with the disease. Veterinarians began seeing cases in breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Shih Tzus and Miniature Schnauzers, raising questions about what these dogs had in common
One common factor was diet
As manufacturers removed grains from pet foods, they needed to replace those ingredients with othermmon substitutes. Legumes include peas, lentils, beans, chickpeas, soybeans and peanuts. These ingredients are not inherently dangerous and have been used in pet foods for years. The concern is that some grain-free diets contain them in much higher proportions than traditional diets.
The FDA found that diets reported in DCM cases were frequently grain-free and commonly contained significant amounts of peas, lentils, other legumes and potatoes. However, it is important to emphasize that this does not mean these ingredients have been definitively proven to cause DCM. The exact mechanism remains unclear, and other characteristics of the diets may also be contributing
So where does that leave pet guardians?
We still have more questions than answers, but the grain-free diet controversy has taught us an important lesson about pet nutrition. An ingredient list can sound appealing without telling us whether a diet is actually appropriate for our pets. Marketing terms such as “grain-free,” “natural” or “holistic” do not necessarily mean a food is healthier.
For the vast majority of dogs and cats, there is no nutritional reason to avoid grains. Until we have a better understanding of the correlation between grain-free diets and DCM, I recommend working with your veterinarian to choose a diet without a grain-free label.
We all have the best intentions when we fill our pet’s food bowls. The grain-free controversy is a good reminder that when it comes to nutrition, following the latest trend is not always the healthiest choice. A thoughtful discussion with your veterinarian can help you separate good nutrition from good marketing
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