Knowing what to feed your dog can be confusing, as there are many options and opinions about what is best.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As dogs go through their life, they have different food requirements. There are many varieties of food available but not all are completely balanced and may not be the correct diet for your dog.
Grain-free diets have become a popular choice of late, however they can cause problems in some dogs.
Over the past few years, it was noticed that there was an increase in a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. This condition has always been around and occurs mainly in certain breeds like dobermans, but in recent times it was noted the condition was occurring in other breeds that have only rarely been associated.
This increase was found to be linked to dogs that were fed an exclusive grain-free diet, particularly the foods that use legumes such as peas, lentils or potatoes as the main ingredient.
It's thought the composition of the grain-free food causes a reduction in absorption of taurine, which is needed for cardiac function.
If caught in time, then slowly and progressively the condition can be reversed. This is done by putting these dogs back onto a balanced diet and supporting their heart with different medications.
There have been dogs that were able to come off the medications after 1-2 years.
If your dog is presenting with signs of heart disease (coughing, weakness, decreased exercise tolerance), your vet will likely ask questions including what diet your dog has been on.
The diagnosis for dilated cardiomyopathy requires X-ray and ultrasound imaging.
Before considering your dog's diet, it's always a good idea to get your vet's opinion.