There has been confusion and misinformation in past months about boutique, exotic ingredients, or grain-free diets (BEG) and the prevalence of DCM. The recent issue of AKC Family Dog presents information on the DCM story and what is being considered as food sources for dogs.
Source: AKC Family Dog,January/February 2020.
Also see: It’s not just grain-free: an update on diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy, Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, November 29, 2019. Link. Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN provides some updates to address the most common misconceptions about DCM:
- It’s not just grain-free
- Raw diets and homemade diets are not safe alternatives.
- Most dogs being diagnosed with DCM do not have low taurine levels
Also see: Confusion over pet nutrition calls for consumer education, Pet Food Industry, January 8, 2020. Link.
It’s difficult for us consumers to keep up with the evolving science and theories with our own food. With pet food, the situation is even more complex.
. . . no one element or nutrient can be considered in isolation . . . foods can be more than the sum of their parts.” – Heather Nelson Cortes, Ph.D.
INSIGHTS: Given the large circulation of the AKC magazine, we’re providing this information so animal health pros can become more aware of the issues and challenges scientists, the FDA and pet nutritionists are considering.