Grain Free Diets Linked to Heart Disease

What is happening?

There appears to be a significant dietary link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain grain-free dog foods is being investigated. The foods of concern are those containing legumes such as peas or lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes listed as primary ingredients.

What is dilated cardiomyopathy?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a type of canine heart disease that affects the heart muscle. The hearts of dogs with DCM have a decreased ability to pump blood, which often results in congestive heart failure.

Some breeds, seem to have a predisposition to DCM when fed an implicated “boutique” diet. Unfortunately, whippets are being critically impacted by this.

Please do not feed your whippet a grain-free diet, or one with legumes (peas, lentils) or potatoes as a primary ingredient. We feed our dogs Royal Canin (medium breed). This is a safe option for dry kibble diets.

To learn more and see the list of food brands reported in association with DCM cases, please visit the American Kennel Club article at the link below.