Can My Dog's Diet Cause Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

Dogs
1

Hey guys!

I’ve been reading about dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, and it’s got me worried about whether what I’m feeding my dog could lead to this condition in the future. Here’s the composition of his food:

  • Fresh turkey (25%)
  • Dehydrated chicken protein
  • Potato flakes
  • Peas
  • Sweet potato
  • Animal fat
  • Hydrolyzed chicken protein
  • Salmon oil
  • Beetroot pulp
  • Chicory pulp
  • Minerals
  • Brewer’s yeast
  • Yeast cell wall (source of MOS)
  • Carrot
  • Pumpkin
  • Spinach
  • Yucca schidigera
  • Cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries
  • Glucosamine
  • Chondroitin sulfate
  • Rosemary, turmeric, green tea, boswellia extract, cinnamon, thyme, vine leaf, lemon balm, cloves, lemon

He’s been eating Barkyn (a Portuguese brand of grain-free dog food) for 3 years now—pretty much his whole life.

Does anyone know if this diet could contribute to DCM? :thinking: :thinking: :thinking:

2

I’ve been down that rabbit hole too. The ingredients look solid, but grain-free has been a bit controversial when it comes to DCM. Maybe mix in some grains like rice or oats? Just to be safe, I’d check with your vet. My pup’s been on a similar diet, and I added some grains just in case. Better safe than sorry, right? :wink:

1 Like
3

Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a potentially fatal heart disease, has been occurring/recognized in low-risk breeds of dog since 2015. It was discovered that many of these dogs were fed “grain-free,” boutique, nontraditional diets