Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Grain-Free Dog Food

Dogs rely on a healthy cardiovascular system to live active, long, happy lives. But in recent years, many pet owners have grown concerned about their dog’s heart health due to headlines surrounding dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the debate over grain-free dog foods. We’re here to help you understand the facts and how you can help support your dog’s heart health!

What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

DCM is a disease of the heart muscle where the chambers of the heart become enlarged and the muscle walls thin, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. Over time, this can lead to severe issues and even heart failure.

Some causes of DCM are well-known – for example, certain breeds (like Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and Great Danes) are genetically predisposed. However, in other cases, nutritional factors, infections, or other underlying health issues may play a role.

The Grain-Free Dog Food Controversy

In 2018, the FDA began investigating reports of DCM in dogs that were eating grain-free diets, particularly those high in legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas) or potatoes. The thought was that now that dogs are eating more grain-free dog foods, cases of DCM must be skyrocketing. However, data does not back this claim up.

The chart below is from a 2022 research article that compared grain-free pet food sales against cases of DCM over the past 20 years. The number of DCM cases did not increase as grain-free dog food sales increased.

*Incidence of Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy Diagnosed at Referral Institutes and Grain-Free Pet Food Store Sales: A Retrospective Survey

While the FDA initially caused a panic in 2018 by telling pet parents to be cautious of grain-free foods, after several years of research, they added this statement:

“FDA does not intend to release further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information to share…” – December 23, 2022

Many years have passed since this statement, and the FDA has not released any further update (meaning they still have not found a connection between grain-free pet food and DCM).

Taurine and Dog Heart Health

Taurine is an amino acid that comes from meat, and taurine deficiency has long been linked to certain cases of DCM. So, if taurine comes from meat, why is there a misconception that grains are necessary in dog food? 

Dogs actually have two sources for taurine: Natural taurine from meat is one, but dogs can also use two plant proteins found in grains to synthesize their own taurine. While grains offer a few building blocks for taurine production, meat offers a ready-to-use source and should be preferred.

Steve’s Real Food raw dog food diets contain high-quality meat without useless fillers. Each ingredient in our recipes is carefully selected to serve a purpose and form a complete nutrient balance without the use of any synthetic vitamins. A diet full of meat = plenty of taurine!

The Bottom Line

Dog heart health isn’t about one ingredient or type of food – it’s about balanced nutrition, genetics, and regular veterinary care.