Latest DCM Findings

Our pets are our family. It’s one of our core values, which is why we take it upon ourselves to let you know everything you should keep top of mind when deciding some of the important factors of your pet’s health and lifestyle.

On February 19, 2019, the U.S Food and Drug Administration issued an updated statement on its investigation into reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods. DCM is the second most common form of heart disease, where the dog’s heart fails to pump effectively. We want to give you some of the facts behind this investigation to keep everyone more mindful of everything we feed our dogs.

- 90% of reported cases were feeding grain-free foods

- A large proportion of the reported diets in DCM cases- both grain-free and grain-containing- contained peas and/or lentils in various forms (whole, flour, protein etc.) as a main ingredient (listed with the first 10 ingredients before vitamins and minerals.)

- 90% of these cases were feeding dry foods

- 61 of the 300 were Golden Retrievers. Many cases of DCM occur in Golden Retrievers that are taurine-deficient

Based on the FDA’s statement, it isn’t clear if the DCM is resulting from grain-free, taurine deficiency, specific legumes, genetic disposition, protein combinations, ingredient sourcing or some combination of any. This makes it difficult to advise a specific direction for your pet’s diet.

At Healthy Spot, we believe in personalizing the best nutritional plan based on your specific pet’s need. We recognize that a grain-free diet is not the solution for everyone; however a grain free diet can be a beneficial option for many pets including those affected by food sensitivities and obesity.

Pet’s nutrition is our business and healthy pet lifestyles is our overall goal. We appreciate your loyalty and will keep you updated on the topic regarding the latest news and reports! We encourage you to speak to any Healthy Spot team member at all our locations about the right diet for your pet. See your closest location here!