Home LOCAL NEWS FDA names 16 brands of dog food linked to canine heart disease

FDA names 16 brands of dog food linked to canine heart disease

by MyParisTexas
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Do you know what’s in your pups food? You might want to double check after the FDA released updated information naming the brands you may want to think twice about purchasing. 

The FDA now identifies 16 dog food brand names linked to canine heart disease, and some may just shock you.

“July 2018, the FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as “grain-free” which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses); and/or potatoes in various forms (whole, flour, protein, etc.),” the FDA stated in an official release on their website. 

Further adding that as principal ingredients were listed within the first ten ingredients in the ingredient list, before vitamins and minerals. 

They continued to say that many of these case reports included breeds of dogs not previously known to have a genetic predisposition to the disease. 

“The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), a collaboration of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories, continue to investigate this potential association,” the finding further stated.

The FDA has been investigating since early 2018, and have continued to update continuously including an update of covered investigative activities from November 2018 in February of this year. 

CBS 11 in Dallas further stated in their recent report on the investigation that, “A recent 90 percent spike of DCM reports to the FDA in 2018 initiated this investigation. There were three reports in 2017 and 320 reported in 2018. There have been 197 reports so far in 2019.”

The commoner of the 16 brands is that many are dry foods labeled as “grain-free,” and also contain a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds and/or potatoes as main ingredients.  

U.S. Food and Drug Administration has continued their investigation reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating “certain pet foods,” continuing vigilant updates of their warnings for canine owners to know what their best choice is for their companion.

The 16 dog food brands identified by the FDA that are seen as closely linked to canine heart disease

The latest updated list of the brands and the number of reported DCM cases related:

Acana: 67

Zignature: 64

Taste of the Wild: 53

4Health: 32

Earthborn Holistic: 32

Blue Buffalo: 31

Nature’s Domain: 29

Fromm: 24

Merrick: 16

California Natural: 15

Natural Balance: 15

Orijen: 12

Nature’s Variety: 11

NutriSource: 10

Nutro: 10

Rachael Ray Nutrish: 10

“We understand the concern that pet owners have about these reports: the illnesses can be severe, even fatal, and many cases report eating ‘grain-free’ labeled pet food,” the statement said.

Pet owners are advised to contact their veterinarian as soon as possible if their dog is showing possible signs of DCM or other heart conditions, including decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing, and episodes of collapse.

This appears to be an ongoing investigation with the FDA continuing their updates as information becomes available.  

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