Dear Concerned Customer,
I wish I could tell you that I had one answer to your questions regarding the recent FDA advisory issued June 27th, 2019 regarding DCM in certain breeds of dogs and speculations made against food companies. I know you look to us to say, yes grain free is wrong, or no, there is not a need to worry about it. However, because the investigation is not complete and the data is inconclusive, we do not have one black and white answer, and we know that’s frustrating! Especially to you, the dog parent, out there trying to do your best to choose healthy nutrition for your fur babies. As a Golden Retriever parent, one of the top breeds reported in the investigation, I understand the hesitation and the tough decision ahead.
What I can tell you, is that we are doing our best to understand and stay informed regarding the investigation. We strive to be informed and open-minded regarding pet nutrition. We have been in business for 10 years, and the Pet Food Industry has grown and evolved quickly during that time. We always do our best to carry a variety of quality foods so that you could choose which food fits your budget, your beliefs, and your individual dog’s needs.
We would be glad to help you decipher food labels and offer suggestions based on the experience from our own pets. We do carry many brands with grains, as well as those that have done feeding trials. We suggest, that if you are concerned about the food you are currently feeding, you consider transitioning your dog to either a grain inclusive diet or to a food that has been involved in a feeding trial. Please keep in mind, that the investigation is saying it’s not just grain or no grain, they are speculating that it is a combination of certain carbohydrates and unique protein sources affecting the absorption of Taurine in certain breeds. I will stress the word SPECULATE. For years dog food was mostly made from the same ingredients and that is where the research exists. It will take time for complete research regarding the newer formulas popular in the market today. The current investigation only includes 515 dogs out of the 77 million pet dogs in the US! This can greatly skew the data.
A few things to keep in mind.
- Pay attention to which breeds seem to be affected. Mostly larger breeds have been reported and there is a chance that it may not be an issue for all breeds.
- The investigation is based on what cases have been reported by a cardiologist, there could be cases not reported by their regular vet or the number of dogs on particular brands could be skewed due to cost of food. Typically, those able to afford more expensive food brands are also more likely to afford and seek out a specialist.
- Please avoid judging brands vs ingredients. Some of the brands listed have both grain-free and grain inclusive diets. Some of the brands listed have completed feeding trials. There are also A LOT of other grain free diets out there that are not listed in the investigation.
Let’s be informed and responsible pet owners, but let’s not let the fire of social media drive our decisions or let fear get in the way of choosing the best food for your individual dog.
Rochelle Anderson
Mighty Pet
Director of Operations
