FDA links 16 brands of dog food to canine heart disease

Seattle Times/New York Times ^ | June 29, 2019 | SANDRA E. GARCIA - The New York Times

[ConservativeMind]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified 16 brands of dog food that had been linked to heart disease in dogs that eat them, according to a report the agency published Thursday.

In the report, the FDA named for the first time the pet food brands most frequently associated with adverse events. In descending order of most incidents of heart disease, the brands are Acana, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, 4health, Earthborn Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Nature’s Domain, Fromm, Merrick, California Natural, Natural Balance, Orijen, Nature’s Variety, NutriSource, Nutro and Rachael Ray Nutrish.

The heart condition examined in the report, canine dilated cardiomyopathy, often results in heart failure and is believed to have a genetic component, according to the report.

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates there are 77 million pet dogs in the United States, most of which are not developing dilated cardiomyopathy, the FDA said in a statement. The number of dogs affected with heart disease may not seem like a lot, John de Jong, president of the veterinary association, said Saturday, but the FDA found a trend and is informing consumers of it.

De Jong said the trend of not having grain in a dog’s diet might be a culprit.

“The whole grain-free thing is a popular myth,” de Jong said. “If they look at the dogs’ relatives in the wild, like coyotes, wolves and hyenas, they live on their prey. Those animals they prey on are typically herbivores, so they are ingesting grains anyway.”

[Daffynition]

Ut oh...

https://www.vetinfo.com/vets/answers/dogs-and-grapes-can-dogs-eat-them

[Daffynition]

Pre-college, living at home, I recall mom sitting on the sofa in the evening, peeling herself an apple; she would give the skin, core [seeds and all] to the Lab named *Michaelangelo*...we called him *Jello* for short.

In those days, kibble was pretty simple, plain old Purina and some cheapo Calo canned mixed in once and while..

Gracious when I think about it, those dogs we had, lived until they were 17-18 y/o; don't recall any unusual health issues ever developing. Times have changed, at least for us.

Now our Labs don't seem to live past 11 or 12, if we are lucky. Our *old man* is 9 y/o; he is full of cancer tumors. Had a yellow, decades ago with tumors; spent thousands on surgeries; all for naught. The tumors kept coming back w/ a vengeance. To see a dog suffer like that , is beyond description. No more.

Miss you Kimber, buddy. Best water dog evah.

[Farcesensitive]

A good article on the problem:

DCM in Dogs: Taurine’s Role in the Canine Diet

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/dog_food/dcm-in-dogs-taurines-role-in-the-canine-diet/

[airedale]

My airedale will eat anything. He’s the most food responsive dog I’ve ever had. He loves broccoli, brussel sprout, tomatoes, grapefruit etc. We haven’t found anything he wont beg for. Rotten garbage is right up his alley. His latest thing to beg for was Kodiak Vanilla high protein toaster waffles.

He gets Blue Buffalo normally. I haven’t seen MFA here in Los Angeles. Same with Ole Roy. Blue in Blue Buffalo is an airedale like most of my dogs have been. That was the final reason for choosing it over Taste of the Wild or Artemis. Food with corn products have always given my dog gas.

[DAC21]

“Never heard of or seen any of these brands but it must suck to be Rachel Rae/Ray right now”

Mostly higher end foods (not so much now) Unfortunately my 4 year old has been on Nature’s Domain all her life.(Costco Brand, both Canned and Dry)

[Cboldt]

-- it must suck to be Rachel Rae/Ray right now --

I see what you did there ....

[ConservativeMind]

That was a good read.

[1_Rain_Drop]

Beautiful dogs, beautiful photos.

Back in the day, dogs weren’t over vaccinated.

A neighbor of mine thinks that giving treatments to a dog is horrible if there’s a chance of them suffering and maybe recovering. She believes that a dog should leave with dignity. The last week of their lives she takes them to their favorite places and they just have a great time. She doesn’t want to remember them suffering with an illness.

[mabarker1]

Yucko Bucko !!! That had to be nice and STINKY!!!

Savannah says “I dnintdunuffin, I was at Canine Cindergarten”

[Daffynition]

Thank you.

You are right about the vax. Rabies and distemper; that was it, IIRC.

Well,our *old* guy will live out a life in luxury. He cannot be replaced. One of a kind.