FDA Grain-Free Diet Alert: 4 Tips To Safeguard Your Dog’s Heart

Balanced pet meals support vitality and help prevent nutrition-linked health concerns.

By Shinta

Created on Aug 29, 2025

Balanced pet meals support vitality and help prevent nutrition-linked health concerns.

FDA Grain-Free Diet Alert: What Dog Owners Need to Know

Recent research and warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have prompted renewed scrutiny of grain-free dog diets and their potential links to canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition. This article provides a detailed overview of the FDA investigation, the science behind grain-free pet food concerns, expert advice, and practical steps dog owners can take to safeguard their pets’ health.

Understanding Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of the heart muscle that results in decreased pumping ability and an enlarged heart. It can lead to heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, or sudden death. Traditionally, DCM has been linked to genetic predisposition, affecting breeds like Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Saint Bernards. However, recent veterinary reports reveal that DCM is appearing in dog breeds not previously associated with the condition, prompting wider concern among pet owners and medical professionals.

Symptoms of DCM may include lethargy, coughing, difficulty breathing, decreased appetite, and fainting.
Early detection is challenging, as many dogs show no signs until the disease is advanced.
Veterinary diagnosis often involves physical exams, heart ultrasounds, and blood tests.

The FDA Investigation: Tracing the Link Between Diet and DCM

In July 2018, the FDA initiated an investigation after a noticeable surge in reports of dogs with DCM who lacked a genetic predisposition. More than 560 cases and over 100 deaths were documented as of April 30, 2019. The majority were linked to dietary factors, specifically the rise in grain-free diets.

Key Findings from the FDA Report

Over 90% of reported DCM cases involved dogs fed grain-free food.
93% of foods in reports contained peas and/or lentils.
42% included potatoes or sweet potatoes.
16 popular dog food brands were named ten times or more in case reports, primarily dry kibble but also raw, semi-moist, and wet varieties.

What Does ‘Grain-Free’ Mean?

Grain-free dog foods wholly exclude corn, soy, wheat, rice, barley and other cereal grains. Alternative ingredients, predominantly legumes (such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans) and potatoes, are often used in their place as primary sources of carbohydrates.

Should Dog Owners Be Concerned About Grain-Free Dog Food?

The FDA currently cannot confirm a causal relationship between grain-free diets and DCM. While more than 90% of reported cases involve grain-free formulations, correlation does not imply causation. Experts urge caution, highlighting that multiple factors may contribute to DCM and that more rigorous research is necessary.

Medical Rarity: True grain allergies in dogs are rare; most dogs do not require specialized grain-free diets unless medically indicated.
Potential Risks: An association has been observed between grain-free foodsâparticularly those high in legumesâand the occurrence of non-genetic DCM in diverse breeds.
Expert Consensus: Both the FDA and veterinary scholars recommend further research; current data is insufficient to recommend wholesale diet changes, but vigilance and professional consultation are urged.

Popular Grain-Free Brands Identified in DCM Cases

The FDA named 16 major dog food brands frequently reported in DCM cases, though dozens of varieties list peas, lentils, or potatoes among major ingredients. While the alert does not definitively implicate specific brands, pet owners should scrutinize ingredient lists and consult veterinary nutritionists for guidance.

Brand Status	Grain-Free Feature	Reported Ingredient(s)
Frequently named	Yes	Peas, lentils, potatoes
Other varieties	Yes	Chickpeas, beans, sweet potatoes

Science Behind the Legume Connection

Legumesâpeas, lentils, soybeans, peanuts, chickpeas, and beansâare added to grain-free dog foods to replace grains as carbohydrate sources. Although believed by some to offer health benefits such as higher protein and lower risk of allergies, their increased use is now under scrutiny due to observed correlations with DCM.

Consumer Demand has pushed pet food manufacturers to use more legumes, believing higher protein and fewer carbohydrates are beneficial.
Veterinary Nutritionists caution that diet compositionânot just the presence of grainsâaffects heart health.
Grain-free foods may be advisable only for the small minority of dogs with confirmed grain allergies or sensitivities.

Expert Advice: How to Protect Your Dogâs Health

With current research inconclusive and FDA investigations ongoing, dog owners should exercise caution and seek professional advice. The American Kennel Club (AKC), veterinary cardiologists, and nutritionists provide the following recommendations:

Consult your veterinarian before making significant diet changes.
Consider switching to nutritionally tested grain-inclusive brands that employ board-certified veterinary nutritionists and follow feeding trials (per WSAVA guidelines). Brands like Hills, Royal Canin, Purina, and Eukanuba/Iams currently meet these standards.
Monitor your dog for symptoms of heart problems such as coughing, lethargy, or difficulty breathing, and seek veterinary evaluation proactively.
Be wary of boutique, exotic, or homemade diets lacking scientific vetting and published feeding trials.

What Should Pet Owners Do?

Until conclusive evidence can establish or dismiss a causal link, experts recommend a balanced approach:

Work with your veterinarian to identify the specificity of your dogâs dietary needs.
If your pet has been on a grain-free diet, discuss whether a transition to a grain-inclusive formula is advisable.
Research feeds from reputable brands with rigorous testing and ingredient oversight.
Stay informed on the latest FDA updates and veterinary findings regarding pet food safety.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is grain-free dog food dangerous for all dogs?

A: Current data suggests a potential association between grain-free foodsâespecially those high in peas, lentils, and potatoesâand increased risk of DCM in certain breeds. However, causation has not been proven, and some dogs may require grain-free diets for medical reasons. Always consult your veterinarian.

Q: Which breeds are most affected by diet-linked DCM?

A: Traditionally, large breeds like Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes are predisposed. The recent FDA investigation found non-genetic cases in many breeds, indicating that a broader group of dogs may be at risk when fed grain-free diets.

Q: Should I switch to a grain-inclusive dog food?

A: If your dog has no specific medical need for grain-free food, a grain-inclusive diet from a reputable brand may reduce potential risk. Always transition foods under vet guidance to avoid digestive upset.

Q: What ingredients should I look for or avoid?

A: Exercise caution with dog foods listing peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans, potatoes, or sweet potatoes as primary ingredients. Prefer brands that use professional veterinary nutritionists and are backed by published feeding trials.

Q: How do I report a potential diet-related health issue?

A: Pet owners can report suspect DCM cases to the FDA through the Safety Reporting Portal. Collect details including food brand, formula, and symptom description.

Latest FDA and Scientific Developments

As of February 2023, the FDA has ceased regular public updates concerning diet-linked DCM, citing insufficient data for causation and ongoing collaboration among scientists, veterinarians, and industry stakeholders.

Research Continues: Universities, pet food makers, and regulatory agencies are pursuing studies to clarify the relationship between dog diets and heart disease.
Owners and veterinarians are encouraged to stay informed and participate in reporting and research efforts.

Choosing Safe Dog Food: What to Look For

WSAVA Guidelines:
- The food should be formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
- Brands must conduct and publish feeding trials and original research.
Label Transparency: Ensure ingredient lists are clear and comprehensive.
Veterinary Oversight: Prefer foods with verified health outcomes.

Additional Resources for Concerned Dog Owners

For more in-depth advice and updates, consider the following resources:

The FDAâs Safety Reporting Portal for reporting adverse events.
Guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) for choosing scientifically backed foods.
Veterinary nutritionists and specialized clinics for heart health screening.

Summary Table: Grain-Free Diet Concern Checklist

Checklist Item	Importance
Consult Vet Before Diet Change	Essential
Monitor for Heart Symptoms	Critical
Prefer WSAVA-Approved Brands	Highly Recommended
Avoid Unproven Boutique Diets	Recommended
Report Suspect DCM Cases	Helpful for Research

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is all grain-free pet food unsafe?

No. While concerns remain, no foods or brands are banned by the FDA. Some dogs with allergy or intolerance still need grain-free food, but clinical supervision is crucial.

Q: How quickly can DCM develop?

DCM onset varies. Some dogs show signs within months while others can develop disease subtly over years. Early vet screening is important if risks or symptoms are present.

Q: Are cats affected by grain-free diets?

At present, the FDA’s focus is on dogs, though a handful of cat cases have been investigated. The bulk of current concern and research focuses on canine diets.

Q: What action should pet owners take right now?

Review your dogâs food composition, consult your veterinarÃan, and watch for heart symptoms. Choose established brands with expert oversight and published safety research for peace of mind.

FDA Grain-Free Diet Alert: 4 Tips To Safeguard Your Dog’s Heart

FDA Grain-Free Diet Alert: What Dog Owners Need to Know

Understanding Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs