Is Grain-Free Dog Food Safe?

Since July 2018 the FDA has been investigating reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart muscle disease, in dogs eating certain diets, many of them labeled grain-free. The FDA says the reports by themselves do not supply enough data to show that any product caused the disease.

The FDA also says it has no definitive information that these diets are inherently unsafe and need to be removed from the market. It asks owners to work with their vet before making diet changes.

That can feel like an unsatisfying answer when you're standing in the pet food aisle. The rest of this guide explains what was found, what is still unknown, and what to ask about any food.

What does "grain-free" mean for the FDA's reports?

The FDA found that many of the diets in its reports were labeled grain-free. The common thread it described was a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds or potatoes among the first 10 ingredients.

The front of a bag is only part of the story. The WSAVA, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, warns that labels carry phrases designed to sell food, such as "holistic" and "premium," which it calls of little practical value for judging nutrition.

Are grains bad for dogs?

A review in BMC Veterinary Research pooled food challenge results from 297 dogs with confirmed food allergies. Beef was the most common trigger, at 34%. Dairy came next at 17%, then chicken at 15%.

Wheat was fourth at 13%. Corn turned up in only 4% of those dogs, and rice in 2%. In that review, beef, dairy and chicken were reported more often than any grain.

If you're curious about grains in a dog's bowl, our guide to can dogs eat rice covers how much is reasonable and how it's usually served.

What did the FDA find about grain free dog food and heart disease?

The FDA describes DCM as a disease of a dog's heart muscle that results in an enlarged heart, which makes it harder for the heart to pump.

The Merck Veterinary Manual notes DCM most often affects large breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Boxers and Great Danes. The FDA says it has historically been linked to a genetic predisposition in certain breeds.

What caught the FDA's attention in July 2018 was a rise in reports from breeds not known for it. Between 2014 and April 2019 it logged 524 reports. Of the diets named, 91% were labeled grain-free and 93% contained peas or lentils.

Golden Retrievers were the breed reported most often, with 95 reports, followed by mixed breeds and Labrador Retrievers. By November 2022 the total had reached 1,382 dog reports since 2014.

Taurine, an amino acid, is part of the story too. Merck notes that some dogs, usually small breeds or those on grain-free diets, can also have taurine-responsive DCM.

What the FDA has not found

The FDA states that while report numbers can be a potential signal of an issue, by themselves they do not supply enough data to establish that any product caused the disease.

It also received reports of DCM in dogs eating grain-containing diets. And it calls the possible link between diet and DCM "a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors."

In December 2022 the FDA said it would release no further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information to share.

What does newer research say?

A small trial in BMC Veterinary Research fed healthy adult Labradors either a control diet or a grain-free diet with 60% legumes for 30 days.

The dogs on the legume-heavy diet showed shifts in some blood values, including red blood cell counts and phosphate, that resembled patterns seen in dogs with DCM. The study was designed around very high legume levels.

The authors are frank about its limits. Only 11 dogs were in the feeding trial, and they write that the steps leading from these diets to heart disease are "currently not understood."

Should I switch my dog off grain-free food?

The FDA says it has no specific diet-change recommendations for dogs not showing signs of DCM. It advises owners to work with their vet, who may consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, before making diet changes.

If you and your vet decide on a change, ask how to make the switch. If your dog is a puppy, our guide to what to feed a puppy covers why a growth formula matters in the first year.

Contact your vet as soon as possible if your dog shows:

• decreased energy
• episodes of weakness or collapse
• fainting
• difficulty breathing
• coughing
• unwillingness to move
• fluid building up in the chest or abdomen

These are the signs of DCM listed by the FDA and in the Merck Veterinary Manual for dog owners. The FDA says to contact your vet as soon as possible if you see them.

How do I choose a good dog food?

The WSAVA publishes a checklist of questions to ask about any pet food, grain-free or not:

• Does the company employ a qualified nutritionist? WSAVA means a PhD in animal nutrition, or board certification in veterinary nutrition.
• Who formulates the recipe, and what training do they have?
• What quality control does the company run on ingredients and finished food?
• Has it done research, and is any published in peer-reviewed journals?
• Does the label carry a nutritional adequacy statement saying the food is complete for your dog's life stage?
• Can you reach the company by phone or email with questions?

The WSAVA's advice is plain. If a manufacturer can't or won't answer these questions, be cautious about feeding that brand.

If you add extras to a complete food, ask your vet how much fits your dog. Our guide to dog food toppers covers the basics.

Questions new dog parents ask

Is grain-free dog food bad for dogs?

The FDA is still looking at a possible link between some grain-free, legume-rich diets and DCM. It says it has no definitive information that these diets are inherently unsafe. Talk to your vet about your own dog.

Do dogs need grains in their diet?

The WSAVA's advice is to check the label says the food is complete for your dog's life stage, and that it's formulated to meet AAFCO or similar nutrient profiles. Ask your vet which diet fits your dog.

Is grain-free better for dogs with allergies?

In a BMC Veterinary Research review of food challenges in 297 dogs, beef, dairy and chicken were more common triggers than wheat, and corn and rice were rare. Ask your vet whether an elimination diet trial makes sense for your dog.

Does the FDA say grain-free food causes heart problems?

The FDA says its reports alone do not supply enough data to establish cause, and it has received reports involving grain-containing diets too.

Sources

• FDA: Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• FDA: Questions & Answers: FDA's Work on Potential Causes of Non-Hereditary DCM in Dogs
• FDA CVM Update, February 2019: Investigation into Potential Connection Between Certain Diets and Cases of Canine Heart Disease
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs and Cats
• Merck Veterinary Manual (Dog Owners): Acquired Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders in Dogs
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods, 2021
• Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research, 2016
• Bakke AM et al. Responses in healthy adult Labrador retrievers fed grain-free diets with high legume inclusion for 30 days. BMC Veterinary Research, 2022

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.