Between 2018 and 2022 the FDA collected hundreds of reports linking certain grain-free diets to dilated cardiomyopathy. The signal was real but the mechanism was never confirmed, and the conversation since has been dominated by people with a commercial interest in the answer.
What we know
Diets high in peas, lentils and other pulses appear more frequently in reported cases than their market share would predict. Taurine deficiency explains some cases but not all of them.
Editor’s note
Everything recommended here was purchased at retail and used for at least 30 days. If a pick is later downgraded, we say so at the top of the article.
Frequently asked questions
Is grain-free food dangerous for dogs?
For most dogs there is no demonstrated harm, but if your dog does not have a diagnosed grain allergy, there is also no proven benefit.
What should I feed instead?
A food from a manufacturer that employs a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and runs feeding trials to AAFCO standards.
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