If you’re lucky enough to have a furry friend, you know they’re much more than a pet. Young or old, there’s no doubt Fido is the first to greet you when you walk through the door. He’s loving, loyal and always there to offer an ear to listen. Considering how much your pup means to you, it makes sense you’d want to protect him and provide for him by giving him food that will keep him healthy and strong for years to come. But, according to the FDA, 16 popular dog food brands — including some with the ever-misleading word “natural” in the title — have links to heart disease.
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In July 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in pets. DCM, most commonly found in larger dogs, affects the heart muscle and can lead to congestive heart failure. From January 1, 2014, to April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM in pets, including 515 in dogs and nine in cats. Of these cases, 119 dogs and five cats died from the disease.
The FDA’s investigation has included a close look at DCM in dogs eating certain pet foods. More than 90% of the diets in the investigation were “grain-free” and 93% contained peas and/or lentils. Based on the investigation, the FDA believes there is a link between diet and DCM, and they have pinpointed 16 brands in particular to watch out for.
The 16 brands identified for being associated with the most cases of DCM, the majority of which sell dry food, include:
- Acana, 67
- Zignature, 64
- Taste of the Wild, 53
- 4health, 32
- Earthborn Holistic, 32
- Blue Buffalo, 31
- Nature's Domain, 29
- Fromm, 24
- Merrick, 16
- California Natural, 15
- Natural Balance, 15
- Orijen, 12
- Nature's Variety, 11
- Nutrisource, 10
- Nutro, 10
- Rachael Ray Nutrish, 10