Is there a problem with grain free dog food?

The FDA is investigating more than 500 reports that appear to link dog foods that are marketed as “grain free” to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Sixteen brands of dog food may be associated with a heightened risk of heart failure in dogs, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Are grain free diets better for dogs?

While your dog needs carbohydrates to produce energy, too many of them can contribute to obesity, the wrong bacteria in the gut and a lack of energy. So, if a dog food is labeled “grain free” but the grains are replaced with other ingredients, it’s not necessarily a healthier option for your dog.

Why do vets not recommend grain-free dog food?

According to a warning from the Food and Drug Administration released last week, grain-free food might be giving dogs a life-threatening heart problem called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. The science is still preliminary, and it’s based on a potential association between diet and heart disease in fewer than 600 dogs.

Do vets recommend grain or grain-free?

Grain-free food may be appropriate if a dog has a grain allergy and if a vet recommends it, however, the diet does come with serious health risks. All three vets are not proponents of grain-free diets for dogs, and they advise discussing any special diet plans with your vet.

What grains are dogs most allergic to?

Symptoms of Grain Allergies in Dogs Some of these grains include wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, amaranth, buckwheat, corn, millet, quinoa, and certain beans. “Gluten” is a term to describe the protein in some of these grains, but not all of them.

What grains should dogs avoid?

Grain-free dog food excludes commonly used cereal grains like wheat, corn, rice, sorghum, barley, and rye. These grains are often replaced with legumes like lentils and peas or white potatoes and sweet potatoes, which are high in fiber and other nutrients while also maintaining a low-glycemic index.