You better check this list…..I did and the dog food I use is on it!
Well…this is the last thing I needed right now….I just checked this list and of course the food I feed Louie is on this.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning dog owners that there could be a link between certain dog food brands and a serious form of canine heart disease called DCM.
The FDA has investigated more than 500 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain types of food…and guess who’s food is on this list? MINE!!!
DCM is a condition that effects a dog’s heart and results in an enlarged muscle. Dogs with DCM tire easily, cough, and have difficulty breathing.
The top three brands, according to the FDA, are Acana, named in 67 reports; Zignature, named in 64, and Taste of the Wild, named in 53 reports.
Now before we completely freak out…. “Of the 77 million dogs in the U.S., 0.5% to 1% have DCM, and of those dogs with DCM, fewer than 0.1% are speculated to have DCM related to diet, although that is not scientifically proven.
So…let’s not jump the gun too much, bug definitely something to be aware of.
I thought feeding Louie “grain free” was better for him, and now its like it was a bad idea.
What can or should be do? If a dog is showing possible signs of DCM or other heart conditions, the FDA encourages you to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. In extreme cases such as sudden weakness or collapse, you may need to seek emergency veterinary care.
The FDA says it will continue to investigate the connection and will update the public as information becomes available.
These are the brands the FDA listed in their warning:
- Acana
- Zignature
- Taste of the Wild
- 4Health
- Earthborn Holistic
- Blue Buffalo
- Nature’s Domain
- Fromm
- Merrick
- California Natural
- Natural Balance
- Orijen
- Nature’s Valley
- NutriSource
- Nutro
- Rachael Ray Nutrish