Hello Danes

Category: Research

  • Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Science Diet Lawsuit

    Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Science Diet Lawsuit

    Another day, another round of pet food lawsuits, recalls, misinformation, and drama. I suspect this is going to be a big one! On February 6th, 2024, Keto Natural Pet Foods filed a massive class action lawsuit against Hill’s Science Diet. Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is a hot topic, with a controversial argument.

    They claim that Hill’s Science Diet and a handful of top veterinary specialists “participated in an egregious, wide-ranging, and damaging campaign of coordinated, for-profit, faux-scientific misinformation.”

    Here is the list of Defendants listed in the lawsuit:

    • Hill’s Science Diet
    • Morris Animal Foundation – Mark Morris Institute
    • Dr. Lisa M. Freeman – Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist
    • Dr. Darcy B. Adin – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist
    • Dr. Joshua A. Stern – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist
    • Dr. Ryan C. Fries – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist
    • Dr. John E. Rush – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist

    To put this in simple terms, Keto Naturals pet food is alleging that Hill’s Science Diet and the above list of highly-educated veterinary specialists fabricated the entire grain-free DCM heart disease debate to gain back lost market share from boutique and small food brands.

    What is the “Grain-Free DCM Heart Disease Debate?

    This issue in pet food revolves around concerns that certain grain-free diets may be linked to an increased incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. While some believe that grain-free and boutique diets can contribute to DCM, others argue that insufficient evidence exists to establish a direct causal relationship, prompting ongoing discussions and research in the pet food industry. You can learn more about this HERE.

    I have so many thoughts. As always, our blog relies on published evidence, common sense, and cited research. We do not resort to fear-mongering or insincere sensationalism! This blog post is your one-stop place to learn more about this issue. Please like, share, and follow. Read on, friends.

    Keto natural pet foods vs. Hill's Science Diet Lawsuit

    Keto Naturals Ketona Pet Food

    To better understand the source of this lawsuit, I did some digging into the company behind it.

    Keto Naturals is a boutique pet food company in the truest sense of the word. According to Grips Intelligence, their yearly sales revenue is below $1 Million U.S.D.

    Compare that to Hill’s Science Diet, whose 2023 revenue sits at $4 Billion U.S.D.

    If they wanted to, Hill’s could buy Keto Naturals and stuff it in a closet. Their measly revenue is not, and has never been, a threat to Hill’s Science Diet.

    Keto Naturals markets their pet food as a low-carb Keto and “natural” diet option for pets.

    The ketogenic diet trend in humans has led to the emergence of low-carb, high-protein, high-fat pet foods marketed as “keto” options for dogs and cats. (Learn more about diet trends, toxic diet culture, and white supremacy, here1)

    However, while some pet owners are drawn to these products due to their alignment with human dietary fads, there is an ongoing debate among experts about the suitability and safety of ketogenic diets for animals. There is minimal research supporting the use of Ketogenic diets, while a considerable body of evidence suggests various potential problems associated with them.

    Numerous specialists emphasize that Ketogenic diets may not be suitable for most humans either2, due to the connection with yo-yo dieting, disordered eating, and potential risks to internal heart, liver, and kidney health.

    Some dogs may have underlying health conditions that could be exacerbated by a ketogenic diet, such as pancreatitis (which is implicated here).3

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    The Keto Naturals Brand & Founder

    Here are some other things we know about Keto Naturals / Ketona Pet Food and its founder:

    • Their food is co-packed by big factories that make many other brands for other companies.
    • There is no qualified nutritionist on staff.
    • It is unclear where the recipes are from, and if a qualified nutritionist consultant was used in their creation.
    • Keto Naturals does not participate in or publish peer-reviewed research or feeding trials.
    • They have a “science” page on their website pointing to a belief that carbs are fattening for humans and dogs. That is a theory that has remained unsubstantiated and is often refuted in published research.
    • A lot of their marketing is centered around bashing competitors (Such as the Farmer’s Dog) and other food types (including raw and fresh), as well as AAFCO regulations and standard practices for food nutrient testing.
    • Their website states that their foods have never been associated with a single case of nutritional DCM. However, their market share is abysmal. Some of the revenue comes from supplements they sell, not complete diets. The company has only been around since 2018, and very few dogs eat their food.
    • Keto Naturals’ outspoken founder and CEO Daniel Schulof is a lawyer. He is not an animal scientist, biologist, qualified nutritionist, or veterinarian.

    Despite having no formal education in animal nutrition, biology, or veterinary science, Daniel Schulof has positioned himself as an expert authority on this topic and even published a book that he says has been critically acclaimed.

    He does have a $200 certificate in pet nutrition from a RACE-approved veterinary CE online course. He openly declares his readiness to challenge anyone with superior credentials, firmly believing that his knowledge exceeds theirs.

    This information is easy to find via a quick Google search, where his LinkedIn profile is publicly visible.

    He is boldly challenging a group of veterinary researchers and specialists who possess significantly more education and expertise than he does.

    I’m going to say something controversial about Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s, but hear me out.

    I believe that the Keto Natural vs. Hill’s Science Diet Lawsuit is a brilliant marketing move.

    This news has spread rapidly across social media, leading to increased interest in Keto Naturals and higher engagement with their content.

    By submitting a controversial and potentially frivolous lawsuit, costing around $400 U.S.D., the brand has garnered significant attention in the pet community. Holistic veterinarians and “consumer advocates” are buzzing, selectively promoting information that supports the arguments presented in the lawsuit.

    How ironic.

    Keto Naturals History & the DCM Debate

    Daniel Schulof (founder of Keto Naturals) is no stranger to engaging in this controversy. He practically invented it.

    In the lawsuit document, he references an article that was published in the JAMVA on December 1st, 2018.4 This article was, at the time of his dispute with it in 2019, the most widely read article on the JAVMA website.

    He wanted that article removed, so he created a website called “Veterinary Integrity” and collected the signatures of veterinarians, scientists, human medical providers, representatives of grain-free pet food companies, and individual pet owners. His petition demanded the removal of the above editorial commentary piece from the JAMVA. (Read his demand letter HERE). 5

    Despite the submission of the petition to JAVMA, the article was not retracted.

    Certainly, the signatures he amassed predominantly reflected the views of a minority subset consisting of “holistic” veterinarians, pet food companies, and individuals inclined towards extreme “wellness” ideologies that often overlook scientific evidence. These signatures did not align with the sentiments of the majority of veterinarians and pet owners.

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    Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Lawsuit & Arguments

    Determining whether Keto Naturals has a case against Hill’s Science Diet would depend on various factors, including the evidence presented, legal arguments, and the interpretation of relevant laws and regulations.

    Author’s Note: Hello Danes does not necessarily agree with the following statements and arguments made in the Keto Naturals vs. Hill’s Science Diet lawsuit filing. This is being provided for informational purposes only:

    In the text of the lawsuit (which can be found here)6, the company implies and believes that:

    1. Hill’s Science Diet collaborated with several veterinary specialists to falsely claim that all “non-traditional” dog foods raise the risk of canine DCM.
    2. They deceitfully encouraged the FDA to investigate DCM cases by cherry-picking data.
    3. Studies have not proven definitive causation.
    4. They popularized the term “BEG” diets (Boutique, Exotic, Grain-Free) to implicate competitors and used blogs, websites, and social media to shape the narrative.
    5. This led to significant losses for “BEG” pet food companies like Keto Naturals, which alleges its reputation was unfairly damaged.
    6. Veterinarians who spread information about grain-free diets received it from Hill’s Science Diet and the Veterinary Defendants, raising concerns about funding and influence.
    7. The Veterinary Defendants also have a conflict of interest due to their involvement in research funded by Hill’s Science Diet.

    In this specific case, it seems like a class action is being pursued. This means that other small pet food companies could potentially join the case and seek compensation from any eventual judgment or settlement (if there is one, and that is a big if).


    As a journalist, I typically strive to remain impartial while supporting my argument with published research and science.

    It’s worth pointing out that the founder of Keto Naturals seems quite upset by what he feels is a loss of consumer trust in his brand (and thus, revenue), and he wants somewhere to place the blame.

    Conveniently, his argument also happens to stand on a very controversial platform.

    Controversy sells.

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    Grain-Free Diets and DCM Heart Disease in Dogs

    In 2014, Veterinary Cardiologists initiated communication with the FDA regarding an alarming trend they had been noticing of atypical heart disease. This led the FDA to begin collecting data from Veterinary Specialists (some of whom are defendants in this lawsuit).

    An announcement from the FDA in 20187 (four years later) aimed to gather more information from affected pet owners, sparking a prolonged debate that continues into 2024. Coincidentally, Keto Naturals Pet Food was started in 2018. The discussion had already been happening, and they were late to the party.

    Despite the implication made in the lawsuit that “no research has proven a link between grain-free foods and heart disease in dogs”, there is a lot more to that story.

    The FDA has a helpful Q&A page8 that beautifully explains a lot of the information available to us regarding DCM and Nutritional Factors.

    A study published in December 20229 showed that dogs fed non-traditional diets showed lower cardiac function and higher ventricular volume than dogs fed diets without potatoes or pulses. This study, like others, underscores the necessity for ongoing research and exploration into the matter.10

    Veterinarians nationwide consistently observe a rise in atypical heart disease cases among patients fed non-traditional, BEG, or grain-free diets. Many instances reportedly show improvement or reversal with diet change.

    While it’s very possible that most dogs can eat BEG-style diets their whole lives without issue, some cannot. It may take years to sort out why.

    The Keto Natural Pet Foods Inc. lawsuit against Hill’s Science Diet is adding fuel to the flames. To deny the hundreds of pet parents, whose pets were diagnosed with nutritional DCM and were harmed by boutique pet foods, is disingenuous.

    Moreover, nutrition science is a highly complex and expanding area of research. It’s concerning that the owner of a small company, who is a lawyer and not a veterinary scientist, feels confident in arguing so egregiously against something about which he has limited knowledge and personal experience.

    Given his background as a lawyer, one would anticipate his understanding of the peer-review process in research and science. However, it is troubling that he dismisses any critical studies and discussion on this topic, attributing it all to perceived financial influence and conflict of interest.

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    Does Keto Naturals Have a Case Against Hill’s Nutrition?

    I’m not a legal professional, so I can’t provide a definitive answer. However, I’m open to sharing my thoughts and speculations on the matter.

    Frivolous lawsuits are often considered baseless, lacking in legal reasoning or evidence to support the claims made. They may be filed for reasons such as harassment, intimidation, or to exploit the legal system for personal gain (see above, this is exceptionally good marketing for Keto Naturals brand).

    Frivolous lawsuits can waste time and resources for both parties involved and can clog up the court system.

    I observe a fledgling brand (Keto Naturals/Ketona) investing its limited time and resources into challenging top veterinary specialists and a large company (Hill’s Pet Nutrition) that is backed by extensive volumes of peer-reviewed scientific research.

    At its core, that is frivolous.

    The suggestion that multiple veterinary researchers have colluded with a single company to deliberately undermine small brands like Keto Naturals (whose revenue, even when combined with several other smaller brands, poses no threat to Hill’s bottom line) is far-fetched.

    To prevail in this case, they’ll need to provide substantial evidence that these events occurred and were intentional. Many statements in the legal filing appear akin to a toddler’s tantrum, which may not be taken seriously by a judge.

    Keto Natural Pet Food attributes its stagnant growth to the DCM “scheme” allegedly orchestrated by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and its purported co-conspirators, overlooking the simple fact that there may just not be much interest in Keto Dog Food among consumers.

    The popularity of the human Keto diet trend is waning as people become more aware of the health risks associated with extreme and restrictive diets. It’s logical to assume that a boutique pet food company attempting to capitalize on this trend would face challenges, regardless of external factors.

    1 2

    With many things in the world of pet food, there are two sides.

    On one side, there’s the often anti-science “holistic” faction, advocating for what they view as a more “natural” approach. Unfortunately, many adherents to this philosophy regularly undermine the credibility of experts and engage in the propagation of conspiracy theories. This side stands firmly with Keto Naturals, as for years they have shared the same unsubstantiated arguments that he does.

    On the other side, there’s the pro-veterinary research faction, committed to uncovering the truth through scientific methods, diligent peer-reviewed research, and evidence-based practices.

    It will be interesting to see how this shakes out, but for now, I’m choosing to continue standing with science.

    Disclaimer: The information provided regarding the KetoNatural Pet Foods Inc. vs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. lawsuit is for informational purposes only. We are not legal professionals, and any information presented is a journalistic interpretation and should not be construed as legal advice. Additionally, our site is not affiliated with, or funded by the FDA, Hill’s Science Diet, or Veterinary Researchers.

    Footnotes

    1. Diet culture is rooted in racism, white supremacy, and colonialism, Marisa Crane
      BS       ↩︎
    2. Ketogenic diet: What are the risks? U.C. Davis. Natalie Helms ↩︎
    3. Cridge H, Lim SY, Algül H, Steiner JM. New insights into the etiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of pancreatitis in dogs: Potential impacts on clinical practice. J Vet Intern Med. 2022 May;36(3):847-864. doi: 10.1111/jvim.16437. Epub 2022 May 12. PMID: 35546513; PMCID: PMC9151489. ↩︎
    4. Freeman, L. M., Stern, J. A., Fries, R., Adin, D. B., & Rush, J. E. (2018). Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 253(11), 1390-1394. Retrieved Feb 13, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.253.11.1390 ↩︎
    5. Daniel Schulof Demand Letter to the AVMA, January 26th, 2019 ↩︎
    6. Keto Naturals Inc. vs. Hill’s Science Diet Inc. Class Action Lawsuit Document ↩︎
    7. FDA Investigating Potential Connection Between Diet and Cases of Canine Heart Disease ↩︎
    8. Questions & Answers: FDA’s Work on Potential Causes of Non-Hereditary DCM in Dogs ↩︎
    9. Owens EJ, LeBlanc NL, Freeman LM, Scollan KF. Comparison of echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37(1): 37-46. doi:10.1111/jvim.16606 ↩︎
    10. All Trades DVM DCM Timeline ↩︎
  • I Watched Pet Fooled So You Don’t Have To: Part Two

    I Watched Pet Fooled So You Don’t Have To: Part Two

    As someone who advocates for veterinary science and nutrition based on thorough research, I found myself drawn to the documentary “Pet Fooled,” which sets its sights on problems with the pet food industry and aims to promote the benefits of raw feeding.

    Given the recent resurgence of interest in the documentary, particularly due to the (now thoroughly debunked) “Purina Panic,”1 I decided to approach it with an open mind.

    What I found may be of interest to you, especially if feeding your pet a healthy diet is important to you.

    This is a multi-part series, if you haven’t read part ONE yet, go here!

    In part two below, I’m digging into the pet industry as it relates to marketing, FDA regulations, AAFCO, manufacturing practices, and by-products. As always, I’m citing my sources and striving to bring you ethical, honest, and truthful information.

    Note: This is a multi-part series! Additional articles in this series will be posted below.

    Part One: “Biologically appropriate” feeding, bacteria & pathogens in raw food, and the influence of “big kibble” on veterinary schools (See Part One HERE)

    Part Two: Pet food marketing, ingredients in pet food (including corn and by-products), manufacturing, AAFCO, and FDA regulations (See Part Two HERE)

    Part Three: Pet food recalls, veterinary diets, and holistic pet food elitism (See Part Three HERE)

    pet fooled documentary

    Pet Fooled Documentary and Pet Food Marketing

    20 minutes into the film I found something I agreed with the producers on. If Pet Fooled had exclusively covered this topic and left the raw vs. kibble debate out of the equation, they would have had my vote.

    Pet food marketing often utilizes visually appealing packaging and persuasive messaging to attract consumers and convey the idea that their product is the best choice for pets.

    The colorful imagery of fresh meats, vibrant vegetables, and wholesome ingredients creates an impression of healthfulness and quality.

    Additionally, marketing tactics such as claims of using “super-premium” or “all-natural” ingredients, endorsements by veterinarians or “pet nutritionists”, and labels indicating specific health benefits further reinforce the perception that these products are superior.

    However, behind the eye-catching packaging and persuasive slogans, the actual nutritional content and quality of these pet foods may vary significantly.

    This problem is not isolated to kibble brands. Fresh and raw pet food companies do it, too.

    Pet Fooled raised an important concern about how marketing tactics can often confuse consumers and manipulate our emotions.

    However as they had done before, they then did a swan dive into the deep end.

    A montage of labels, slogans, and ingredients was presented as a means to tap into viewers’ emotions with the implication that all of those things are bad.

    It doesn’t matter how much research we have out there showing us that some of those perceived ‘bad’ ingredients are beneficial, there is no middle ground on Pet Fooled.

    Recall Dr. Karen Becker’s assertion in part one, where she contends that anything aside from a raw meat diet constitutes “nutritional abuse.”

    Like all things in pet nutrition, this answer is not that black and white.

    Pet Food Ingredients

    “Pet Fooled” emphasizes the importance of reading ingredient lists on pet food labels as a means of evaluating the quality and nutritional value of the product.

    However, they oversimplify the issue by implying that the presence of certain ingredients automatically makes certain pet foods inferior or harmful.

    In reality, the nutritional adequacy and safety of pet food depend on various factors beyond just the ingredients list, such as the formulation, sourcing, processing methods, and overall nutrient balance.

    Without proper guidance from qualified professionals, solely relying on ingredient lists to choose pet food can be problematic and may result in suboptimal nutrition or even nutritional deficiencies for pets.

    Without expanding so much as to bloat this article up with too much information, here are some veterinary nutritionist articles regarding commonly vilified ingredients such as corn and by-products.

    Tufts “Stalk About Corn, It’s Nutritious!”2

    Tufts “Don’t Be Bothered By By-Products” 3

    Veterinary Nutritionists (who are infinitely more qualified to discuss pet nutrition than a holistic wildlife veterinarian), prioritize the final nutrient profile and bioavailability over specific ingredients.

    Ultimately, the effectiveness of pet food hinges on its ability to deliver results, a complexity that far surpasses the debate between corn and organic farm-raised lentils.

    Here is an informational video, from a veterinarian, regarding corn in pet food:

    @erdvm

    Replying to @misiu Corn gets a lot of ire in pet food, often mislabeled as a “filler” or something with “no nutritional value.” We know that’s not true by the nutrient profile alone. Whole corn is typically not used in kibble, so saying “my pet defecates corn” is a silly argument. If you ate pistachios in the shell vs once shelled it’s a different beast all together. Corn gluten helps to acidify the urine, which is great in our cats with crystals. Corn oil has linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid – meaning dogs and cats cannot synthesize it themselves and it MUST be added to food. Corn oil is one way to do this. Sources: Dr Avi Deshmukh, nutrient profile for corn

    ♬ original sound – Emergency Veterinarian

    High Temperature Kibble Extrusion, Cancer & Pet Health

    “Pet Fooled” raises concerns about the high-temperature processing methods used in the manufacturing of pet food.

    The theory linking high-temperature kibble extrusion to cancer and negative impacts on pet health is largely unfounded. While some critics suggest that the heat processing methods used in kibble manufacturing could potentially create harmful compounds or degrade the nutritional value of ingredients, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

    The extrusion process is carefully controlled and monitored by pet food manufacturers to ensure that it meets strict quality and safety standards.

    As pet owners become increasingly concerned about the processing methods used in traditional extruded kibbles, the popularity of ‘baked’ dog foods has surged as a perceived solution. However, it’s important to recognize that the baking process doesn’t necessarily eliminate concerns about high temperatures. Some ‘baked’ kibbles may be exposed to temperatures of 300-500 degrees Fahrenheit during production.

    Purina uses a low-temperature extrusion process. Most extruders operate at between 180-300 degrees Fahrenheit.

    When you bake muffins in your home oven, they are subjected to higher temperatures and for longer durations than kibble, which may only be in the extruder for 30-90 seconds.

    Additionally, numerous studies have found no direct causal link between consuming extruded kibble and an increased risk of cancer or other health issues in pets.

    This, naturally, circles us back to the questionable marketing claims propagated by pet food companies, influencers, and pet stores. They all vie to convince us that their product reigns supreme in terms of health, safety, and innovation.

    Yet, without substantiating evidence from rigorous peer-reviewed research and scientific inquiry, should we truly place our trust in those claims?

    Many veterinarians agree that a balanced diet, regardless of its form, is key to maintaining optimal health in pets. Perhaps a well-formulated kibble produced under tried and true quality control protocols and manufacturing processes isn’t so bad, after all.

    It’s essential to evaluate pet nutrition claims critically and rely on evidence-based research when making decisions about pet food choices.

    pexels jozef feher 2774140

    FDA Regulations on Pet Food in Pet Fooled

    When it comes to the safety and quality of our pets’ food, understanding the regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is important.

    Pet Fooled slams the FDA, citing a lack of oversight leading to widespread problems with pet food safety. I’ll dig into this more below, but the narrator implies that all big pet food manufacturing is dirty and corrupt.

    The FDA Pet Food information page is available HERE so you can make an informed and balanced assessment based on the statements made in Pet Fooled.

    Pet Food Ingredient Quality

    The documentary questions the quality of ingredients used in commercial pet foods and highlights instances where low-quality or controversial ingredients are included.

    I’m glad I sat down and watched the documentary as well because the visual aspect of the film is intentionally crafted to provoke concern and emotion about pet food.

    The documentary features footage of decaying carcasses, animals in ditches, roadkill, and maggots, all interwoven with a narrative that suggests these “4D Meat” elements are commonly found in our pets’ food.

    Pet Fooled wants viewers to believe that manufacturers are regularly grinding up rotting dead, diseased, dying, and disabled animals to include in their formulas.

    However, it’s illegal for pet food manufacturers in the United States to use “4D” meat in their products. 4

    Pentobarbital (Euthanasia Drug)5 and Melamine have been the subject of major pet food recalls, there is no disputing this. These incidents originated with the suppliers and went unnoticed by the manufacturers during production. The critical oversights behind these major recalls prompted industry-wide changes.

    However, there is no proof of major corruption or widespread ongoing problems. The FDA specifically prohibits contaminated meat from being used in pet food, and many pet food companies have thrown out bad batches of food and issued recalls in compliance with these regulations.

    Remember, pet food companies cannot make money if they are selling us dirty food that harms our pets.

    To provide additional context, while the FDA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for salmonella in pet food, the regulations differ for ‘human grade’ food, where a certain level of salmonella may be permitted. Pet food is more regulated than human food when it comes to this contamination. 6

    Last week I finished an article called “Are There Euthanized Animals in Pet Food” that may be of interest. While the concept of shelter pets and decayed horses being trucked to the pet food manufacturing plant is sensational, it’s a myth.

    Why does Pet Fooled persist in propagating that misconception? It all boils down to financial incentives. By steering consumers away from properly formulated and safe kibble brands, they stand to gain market share for their holistic online courses, supplements, and food brands.

    @erdvm

    This is ALWAYS a hot topic when discussing pet food – recalls. Recalls are neither good nor bad, they just are. Obviously you don’t want your own food to be recalled, but brands should do quality control in order to ensure safety. No recalls does not mean a company is perfect – it can be due to a lack of an screening and underdiagnosing issues with said food. What I think is always very telling is when the FDA recommends a recall and the company refuses. This is a huge red flag as both a consumer and a veterinarian.#greenscreen

    ♬ original sound – Emergency Veterinarian

    Transparency in Pet Food Manufacturing

    There are concerns about the lack of transparency in labeling, making it difficult for pet owners to fully understand what they are feeding their pets.

    Pet Fooled is correct about this. I’ve spent hours of my life tracking down nutritional information such as calcium and copper levels or who formulates the food, things that pet owners should have easy access to.

    It’s shocking how many companies simply cannot, or will not provide that information.

    Many others will use slick language to gloss over their responses to WSAVA guidelines7 for manufacturing and formulation processes.

    Don’t even get me started on the use of ingredient splitting to make ingredient lists look more wholesome! 8

    Having investigated well over 400 companies at this point, I can definitively say that it’s the smaller companies who are the least transparent. To give just a few examples, Diamond, Victor, AllProvide, Darwin, and Inukshuck have all been very difficult to get real answers from.

    Meanwhile, Purina, Hill’s, Royal Canin, and some other big players have been open, honest, and quick to respond with verifiable answers.

    A call for transparency requires that ALL pet food manufacturers provide nutrient, sourcing, and manufacturing information on request, to anybody who asks, and without fluffing up their answer to hide the truth. That’s something I can get behind.

    Nutritional Adequacy in Pet Foods

    Pet Fooled also addresses the issue of nutritional adequacy in pet foods, emphasizing the importance of balanced diets for pets’ health and well-being.

    Many raw pet food brands, which are championed by the holistic veterinarians featured in the film, do not test for or publish their nutrient levels. I find this to be quite ironic.

    AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is not a regulatory agency. Instead, it is an organization that establishes guidelines and standards for pet food and animal feed. While AAFCO develops nutritional profiles, labeling requirements, and ingredient definitions, it does not have regulatory authority to enforce these standards. Regulatory enforcement is typically the responsibility of state departments of agriculture, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and other governmental agencies.

    The documentary questions the adequacy of AAFCO’s standards in ensuring that pet foods meet the nutritional needs of pets. It suggests that while AAFCO sets minimum standards for pet food ingredients and labeling, these standards may not always reflect the best nutritional practices for pets.

    In some ways, I agree with this. My investigation into Copper Storage Disease (which can be triggered by excess copper in the diet, a common problem with boutique and raw foods)9 is a great example of a situation where the ‘bare minimum’ regulation isn’t enough.

    Additionally, “Pet Fooled” raises concerns about the reliance on feeding trials and laboratory testing to determine nutritional adequacy, suggesting that these methods may not always accurately represent real-life feeding conditions for pets.

    Could feeding trials be better? Possibly! Is that an excuse for pet food companies to not do them at all? Nope.

    greyhound dog watching elderly owner reading book

    Part three is next!

    Note: This is a multi-part series! Additional articles in this series will be posted below.

    Part One: “Biologically appropriate” feeding, bacteria & pathogens in raw food, and the influence of “big kibble” on veterinary schools (See Part One HERE)

    Part Two: Pet food marketing, ingredients in pet food (including corn and by-products), manufacturing, AAFCO, and FDA regulations (See Part Two HERE)

    Part Three: Pet food recalls, veterinary diets, and holistic pet food elitism (See Part Three HERE)

    Footnotes

    1. Is Purina Food Harming Pets? ↩︎
    2. Tufts “Stalk About Corn, It’s Nutritious” ↩︎
    3. Tufts “Don’t Be Bothered By By-Products” ↩︎
    4. FDA Regulations on Pet Food ↩︎
    5. Are There Euthanized Animals and Pentobarbital in Pet Food? ↩︎
    6. Pet Food is More Regulated Than Human Food ↩︎
    7. What Are WSAVA Guidelines? ↩︎
    8. Ingredient Splitting in Pet Food ↩︎
    9. Copper Storage Disease & Copper Levels in Pet Food ↩︎
  • Copper in Dog Food & Liver Health

    Copper in Dog Food & Liver Health

    Recently, I was checking in on a Facebook group when somebody posted about their dog suffering from copper storage disease. This condition can cause permanent damage to the liver. It’s something veterinarians are seeing more and more of, and copper in dog food may be to blame!

    Copper Storage Disease has primarily been seen as a genetic disorder, occurring in only a handful of breeds such as Bedlington Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Dobermans, Dalmatians, and West Highland White Terriers.

    The disease can also be influenced by dietary factors.

    Recently, liver health and copper disease have been receiving media attention. Dog breeds that are not traditionally seen with this condition are popping up with it.

    This topic has been covered by the AVMA, Tufts, Cornell University, and other well-respected veterinary organizations. As always, we approach articles with a research and evidence-based mindset. Read on!

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    Symptoms of Copper Storage Disease in Dogs

    Copper Storage Disease, also known as copper-associated hepatopathy or copper toxicosis, is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of copper in the liver, leading to liver damage.

    Common signs of Copper Storage Disease include lethargy, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As the disease progresses, jaundice may become apparent, characterized by yellowing of the eyes, gums, and skin due to liver impairment.

    Dogs with Copper Storage Disease may also exhibit increased thirst and urination, accompanied by a swollen abdomen caused by fluid accumulation.

    Learn more about Copper-Associated Liver Disease in this article by Tufts 1

    Behavioral changes, such as disorientation or seizures, can occur in advanced stages. Recognizing these symptoms promptly is crucial for seeking veterinary attention and initiating necessary diagnostic and treatment measures.

    Veterinarians can detect early signs of disease by tracking liver health through blood tests. Additional diagnostic tools, such as an ultrasound, may be employed to exclude other liver-related conditions if there are concerns.

    If an accumulation of excess copper in the liver is suspected, the veterinarian might suggest a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

    How is Copper Storage Disease Treated?

    Copper Storage Disease is treated with a strict low-copper diet and copper chelators which can bind to copper and remove it from the liver.

    The medications used to treat Copper Storage Disease in dogs are expensive and have side effects.

    For dogs that have accumulated dangerous levels of copper in their liver, however, this is the only way to improve their quality of life. Early detection is key.

    There is a lot of misinformation out there about veterinary diets such as Hill’s L/D Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food (Liver Care) or Royal Canin Hepatic, but this is a great example of a time when one is necessary. These diets are professionally researched, formulated, and tested to treat specific health conditions.

    The alternative to a “prescription” low copper hepatic diet is home-cooked food. The only way to do this and fully ensure that copper intake is properly restricted is to work with a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist and follow the custom recipes exactly.

    We always advise seeing a veterinarian if your pet has concerning or unusual health symptoms.

    For more information on how Copper Liver Disease is treated, this article is very helpful. 2

    19

    Does Dog Kibble Contain Too Much Copper?

    Copper is an essential part of a balanced diet. However, similar to other essential nutrients like Vitamin C or D, an excess can pose problems. Over-supplementing certain vitamins and minerals, including copper, can lead to toxicity in dogs.

    I dug into some of the veterinary articles on this topic, and yes, some researchers are concerned about copper in pet food3. The rate of Copper Storage Disease seems to have risen, in tandem with two major changes in the last 20 years:

    1. A switch from Copper Oxide to a more bioavailable form of copper, Copper Sulfate
    2. Pet food trends that encourage demand for extremely nutrient-dense “holistic” diets that contain a lot of organs, meat, and certain plants such as flax seed, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes

    While this trend is only a correlation (causation has not been determined), it’s worth examining. Let’s dig into both of those in more detail!

    1. Copper Oxide vs. Copper Sulfate

    In 1997, a suggestion was put forth to discontinue the use of Copper Oxide in pet food. This proposal stemmed from a study revealing its limited absorption and utilization by the body (refer to the study HERE).4

    Pet food companies, on the advisement of AAFCO, switched to other forms of copper that are more bioavailable.

    They are commonly seen on pet food ingredient lists as copper sulfate or copper chelates such as copper proteinate, copper amino acid chelate, chelated copper, copper lysine, and copper glycinate (among others). These refer to various forms of copper compounds with organic molecules bound to them for enhanced absorption and utilization in the body.

    This move away from the use of copper oxide was done even though there had not been widespread concerns about copper deficiency in dogs.

    2. Consumer Demand for Meat-Heavy Dog Foods

    In recent times, a growing occurrence of Copper-Associated Hepatopathy could potentially be linked to the rising consumer demand for nutrient-dense pet foods rich in animal-based components and organ meats, often referred to as “natural diets” or “holistic diets”.

    Organ meats in particular are high in copper (yes, this includes freeze-dried liver treats).

    It’s worth noting that while the concept behind these types of diets is that they are more “natural”, a truly “natural” canine diet is technically based on prey behavior and scavaging. For wild dogs whose meals must be chased or found, days can go by with very little balanced nutrition.

    Put simply, nature is not nice.

    Pet dogs fed commercially prepared and extremely nutrient-dense “natural” diets are often provided more nutrition in a compact package than was ever a reality for “wild” dogs. Additionally, pet dogs typically do not engage in the level of athleticism and endurance required by animals who don’t have the comfort of a warm home and ready access to water.

    The daily abundance of nutrients can pose health risks, as over-supplementation and over-feeding are recognized as significant issues in pet nutrition.

    Later in this blog, I present data on the copper concentrations in various pet food brands, and unfortunately, the findings often support this argument. Many expensive, nutrient-dense pet foods do seem to trend high in copper.

    Additionally, there is a trend favoring pet foods containing vegetables high in copper, such as sweet potatoes, further complicating the issue.

    Determining whether a specific formula contains excessive or dangerous levels of copper is challenging due to various factors. The bioavailability of copper varies among different forms, and its intricate interactions with other nutrients can impact how the body manages or eliminates the surplus.

    Here is an interesting and informative video:

    How Much Copper is In Dog Food?

    Different pet food brands and formulas contain varying levels of copper. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes a minimum amount of copper that all pet foods must contain.

    However, AAFCO does not set a maximum limit on copper levels (unlike Europe, which does).

    It’s important to note that you don’t need to start scrutinizing ingredient lists or searching for low-copper diets for your pet based solely on this information. As long as a pet food meets AAFCO guidelines, it should technically be safe for healthy dogs to consume, regardless of the copper levels.

    Despite various opinions on copper in pet food, the reality is that there isn’t sufficient data to confirm whether excessive amounts are harmful to all pets. As a result, some veterinarians and researchers, including 13 who advised AAFCO against setting a limit on copper in pet food, suggest that pet owners refrain from excessive worry on this topic.

    NutritionRVN on Instagram has an interesting and helpful take on this.

    For dogs with liver failure, scientifically formulated low-copper diets known as “Hepatic” diets are crucial.

    However, for typical, healthy pets, following AAFCO guidelines should be sufficient.

    That aside, there is generally no need for an abundance of copper in pet food anyway. Thus, it may be advisable for concerned pet parents to avoid foods with excessively high levels.

    The potential impact of excessive copper levels in pet food on all dogs is not yet definitively established. However, erring on the side of caution by avoiding foods with elevated copper levels is fine if you have concerns about your pet’s health.

    How to Find the Copper Level of Dog Food

    In many cases, the only way to find out how much copper is in your pet’s food is by calling them and asking. While not all companies disclose this information, reputable ones typically have it and are willing to provide it upon request. (Keep reading! I’ve done a bunch of digging for you and made a chart below).

    Because we don’t currently know what a truly safe “upper limit” is, the goal should be to compare several brands and steer clear of those on the high side.

    When you are looking for this information, find it on a dry matter basis. This is very important, and something I cover more in-depth below!

    What is a Safe Amount of Copper for Pet Food?

    Some researchers believe that copper in over-the-counter pet foods should be capped at 25 mg/kg or 25 PPM. Currently, AAFCO establishes only a minimum amount, and pet brands are left to determine the limit themselves. 5

    The FEDAIF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) sets an upper limit of 28 mg/kg or 28 ppm for copper.

    It may be advisable to choose foods that stay under 28 mg/kg whenever possible. Knowing that all AFFCO pet foods meet the minimum copper requirement necessary for health (remember, pets do need copper in their diet), a lower number is preferable.

    During a recent wellness check for my pets, my fantastic veterinarian noted that over his decades of practice, he’s observed a rise in liver and kidney disease among pets. It’s become so prevalent that he now starts monitoring for early indicators of these conditions in pets age 6 and up.

    We can’t be sure if copper is the definitive cause of that trend, but it does give me pause!

    Here is an informational article from the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) arguing that attention to copper levels in pet foods is needed. 6

    I did a little market research for you, and have shared the results on the table below!

    5

    Copper Concentrations of Popular Dog Foods

    I contacted the following companies directly to create a table, which is current as of January 2024. In creating this data, I intentionally chose brands and formulas based on the following criteria:

    • Popularity in different pet food markets
    • Word on the street (some brands are “known” to be higher in copper)
    • Range of formulation types and proteins used

    Most pet food companies have numerous formulas, so I pulled specific formulas at random from their product pages.

    Some companies post copper content on their website. For the rest, I contacted each brand directly for this information. This list below is the most up-to-date data (2024) on copper levels in popular dog food brands.

    As you’ll see on the chart below, the copper levels vary significantly across brands. Some appear notably high, while others are relatively low.

    Particularly, hepatic diets are formulated with carefully controlled low copper levels, catering specifically to pets dealing with liver issues or copper storage disease. I’ve included a few of those on the list for comparison sake.

    All values listed below are on a dry-matter basis, calculated with moisture removed. This standardizes comparisons between raw, fresh, and kibble products.

    1 Mg/Kg = 1 ppm. For example, 13.00 Mg/Kg = 13 ppm.

    Please note that just because the copper level appears acceptable, does NOT mean that the other nutrient and mineral levels are. Always verify the analysis for calcium/phosphorus too, especially when feeding large or giant breed dogs.

    Food Brand & FormulaCopper in Mg/Kg (Dry Matter)
    Annamaet Grain-Free Manitok 14.59
    Annamaet Ultra13.49
    Diamond Naturals Grain Free Beef & Sweet Potato17.00*
    Eukanuba Large Breed Adult13.00
    Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy 12.00
    Eukanuba Performance 30/20 11.00
    Eukanuba Puppy Food (Lamb)15.00
    Fromm Beef Frittata Veg26.37
    Fromm Bonnehill Farms Beefibowl Beef54.70
    Fromm Bonnehill Farms Turkibowls29.39
    Fromm Duck ala Veg13.23
    Fromm Gold Large Breed Adult13.36
    Fromm Heartland Gold Adult22.74
    Fromm Highlander Beef, Oats, and Barley17.67
    Hill’s L/D Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food (Liver Care)7.00
    Instinct Raw + Kibble Blend Grain-Free Chicken 15.53
    Instinct Raw Frozen Chicken39.00
    Instinct Raw Frozen Rabbit 55.94
    Inukshuck Marine 2539.00**
    Nature’s Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast10.20
    Nature’s Logic Distinction Pork24.80
    Nutrisource Beef & Rice15.90
    Nutrisource Pura Vida Chicken & Brown Rice17.10
    Nutrisource Element Wild Range23.90
    Open Farm Grain Free Wild Caught Salmon19.57
    Open Farm Grass Fed Beef Gently Cooked26.88
    Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Stew23.02
    Open Farm Open Prairie Raw Mix 14.67
    Open Farm Lamb & Ancient Grains17.12
    Purina Dog Chow Adult (Beef & Rice)12.40
    Purina Dog Chow (Lamb)15.00
    Purina ONE Large Breed Chicken & Rice14.20
    Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice 16.90
    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Chicken & Rice15.10
    Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Salmon Large Breed15.10
    Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 Chicken 16.10
    Royal Canin Hepatic (Liver Care)7.00
    Spot & Tango Fresh Beef & Millet20.90
    Spot & Tango Fresh Lamb & Brown Rice20.40
    Spot & Tango Fresh Turkey & Red Quinoa19.70
    Spot & Tango Unkibble Beef & Barley21.90
    Spot & Tango Unkibble Chicken & Brown Rice14.60
    Spot & Tango Unkibble Cod & Salmon20.10
    Spot & Tango Unkibble Turkey & Sweet Potato15.90
    Stella & Chewy Raw Blend Red Meat45.40
    Stella & Chewy Raw Blend Wild-Caught24.20
    Stella & Chewy Raw Coated Cage Free Duck28.43
    Stella & Chewy Raw Coated Wild Caught Whitefish21.56
    Stella & Chewy Dandy Lamb (Raw)49.00
    Stella & Chewy Super Beef (Raw)44.14
    Stella & Chewy Tantalizing Turkey (Raw)19.57
    Stella & Chewy Purely Pork (Raw) 33.30
    Victor Beef & Rice16.00
    Victor Grain-Free Ocean Fish16.00
    Victor Professional15.00
    Wild Earth Maintenance Golden Rotisserie 26.80
    Wild Earth Maintenance Classic Roast 20.70
    Wild Earth Performance19.80
    Zignature Venison15.15
    Ziwi Peak Air Dried Beef28.00
    Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Chicken 26.00
    Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackeral & Lamb39.00
    Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Tripe & Lamb51.00
    Ziwi Peak Canned Lamb24.00
    Ziwi Peak Canned Venison22.00

    *Diamond Naturals (Diamond, Taste of the Wild, Nutra Nuggets, Kirkland/Costco) provided me with incomplete and inaccurate information. This value may not be correct. I’ve included more information about this at the bottom of the post.

    **Inukshuck Despite numerous requests, this particular brand has not responded regarding the dry-matter analysis of their copper levels. The as-fed amounts (which they did provide) range from a minimum of 27 mg/kg to as high as 39 mg/kg. It’s reasonable to anticipate that the dry-matter value will be even higher. Inukshuck is known to be a higher-copper brand.

    There are thousands upon thousands of formulas and pet food brands to choose from. If you don’t see your food on the list above, contact the manufacturer and ask for the dry-matter copper value!

    Avoid any company that refuses to provide this information or tries to divert your attention from it. If a company cannot or will not readily disclose the copper level in mg/kg on a dry matter analysis to anyone who asks for any reason, proceed with caution.

    The copper levels in the chart above are accurate as of February 1st, 2024. It’s up to the consumer to verify those values, and to understand that the amount of copper in a food is not the whole story! Zinc, for example, can affect the bioavailability of copper.

    The amount of copper a pet ingests may climb with the addition of toppers, supplements, and treats as well.

    11

    Which Pet Foods Are High in Copper?

    High copper levels in pet food can be detrimental to the health of some pets, particularly for those who cannot effectively metabolize or excrete excess copper.

    If you have a breed that is predisposed to copper storage disease, it is especially important to avoid nutrient-dense foods and toppers that are exceptionally high in copper.

    While copper is an essential mineral for various bodily functions, excessive levels can lead to toxicity. It’s important to note that copper requirements vary among different species and breeds of pets, so what might be considered high for one could be normal for another.

    Some ingredients commonly found in pet foods, treats, and supplements that are naturally high in copper include (but are not limited to):

    1. Organ Meats: Liver, kidneys, gizzards, and heart
    2. Fish: Salmon, trout, and shellfish
    3. Nuts and Seeds: Sunflower seeds, cashews, and flax seeds
    4. Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and beans
    5. Mushrooms: Shiitake, oyster, portabello, button
    6. Certain cereals: Oats, quinoa, and ancient grains

    Pet owners should be cautious about feeding foods high in copper to pets, especially if they have conditions such as copper storage disease, liver disease, or are predisposed to copper toxicity because of their breed or pedigree.

    Feeding commercial pet foods formulated by reputable brands that adhere to industry standards and conduct regular quality control measures can help ensure a balanced and safe diet for pets.

    Many pet food brands have questionable practices that lead to inconsistencies in product safety and nutrient levels; copper, like calcium, should be well controlled. Additionally, many homemade diets (including Dr. Judy Morgan’s “Pup Loaf”) may contain excessive amounts of copper because of the meat and organs that are used.

    Pets with diagnosed copper-associated liver disease also need to be on a heavily controlled diet with low copper levels, such as Just Food for Dogs Hepatic Diet, Hill’s L/D Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food (Liver Care) or Royal Canin Hepatic.

    Veterinarians and researchers recommend sticking to brands that meet WSAVA recommendations, including Purina, Hill’s, Science Diet, Eukanuba, and Iam’s.

    Copper Bioavailability, Goat’s Milk, and Zinc

    One study showed that goat milk (which contains copper)7, increased the bioavailability of copper in rats.

    The widespread practice of incorporating goat milk into pet foods, especially those abundant in meat and organs, may not be the healthy nutritional practice it was once believed to be.

    Zinc can increase the absorption of copper from the pet’s diet as well. If zinc and copper are not balanced together in the formulation of the pet food, it can cause health problems in pets.

    Both Zinc and Copper are commonly found in “Multi-Vitamin” pet supplements.

    A lot of questions are also being raised about the role of zinc in the development of Copper Storage Disease.

    12

    As-Fed vs. Dry Matter Calculation

    When calculating nutrient content in pet food, it’s necessary to understand the difference between as-fed and dry matter basis. I’ll try to break this down into simple terms!

    As-fed refers to the nutrient content of the food in its original, as-packaged, and as-fed state, including moisture content. (Yes, even kibble has moisture! Around 10%).

    Dry matter removes the moisture content from the equation to provide a more accurate representation of the nutrient composition.

    This distinction is crucial because moisture content can significantly affect nutrient concentrations, especially in canned, raw, fresh, or wet foods where moisture levels are higher.

    By converting nutrient values to a dry matter basis, pet owners and professionals can make more accurate comparisons between different pet food products.

    When evaluating copper content in pet food, I recommend comparing only the dry-matter value.

    14

    Can I Detox My Dog from Copper & Other Heavy Metals?

    If you are concerned your pet has been ingesting too much copper, you need to talk to a veterinarian.

    The concept of “detox” is often oversimplified or exaggerated in popular culture, leading to misconceptions about its effectiveness and necessity. While the body does have natural processes for removing toxins, such as through the liver and kidneys, the idea of undergoing specific “detox” programs or interventions to rid the body of accumulated toxins beyond what these organs can handle is not supported by scientific evidence.

    Many products and treatments marketed as “detox” methods lack rigorous scientific validation and may even be harmful. It’s essential to approach claims of detoxification with skepticism and prioritize evidence-based practices.

    If your veterinarian is concerned about copper storage or other liver problems, they will recommend an appropriate diet and may prescribe medication to help.

    Milk Thistle Detox for Dogs

    A common ‘detox’ remedy suggested by pet owners and certain influencers is milk thistle (“Silymarin”).

    Expanding on the limited efficacy and safety research surrounding silymarin, I’d like to note that while it’s often promoted as a natural liver detoxifier, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness and safety in dogs is limited.

    Don’t skip seeing the vet because “Susie on Facebook” told you to give your dog a “liver cleanse” with milk thistle instead.

    shallow focus photo of long coated white and gray puppy

    Low Copper Dog Food

    Low copper dog food brands cater to the dietary needs of dogs requiring reduced copper intake, such as those with copper storage disease (hepatopathies).

    These brands carefully formulate their recipes to contain minimal copper levels, ensuring the nutritional balance necessary for optimal canine health. Companies such as Hill’s Science Diet, Purina, and Royal Canin create specialized veterinary diets backed by research for this exact purpose! These foods typically require approval from a veterinarian.

    By providing controlled copper content, these specialized dog foods help manage copper-related health conditions, promoting overall well-being and longevity in affected dogs.

    For dogs that have not been diagnosed with copper storage disease or hepatopathies, it would be advisable to stick to well-formulated diets from brands such as Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, and Eukanuba. These diets’ copper levels consistently sit in a normal range, well below the European FEDAIC established maximum of 28 mg/kg.

    If you’re considering preparing a home-cooked diet for your dog with conditions such as copper storage disease or any other health issue, it’s recommended that you work with a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist. Find one HERE.

    Voyager Dog Food (Formerly The Scoop)

    After losing a dog to diet-associated Copper Storage Disease, a veterinarian created a pet food company specifically focused on eliminating this problem. The brand claims to use no Copper Sulfate or chelated copper in their formulations, instead relying on natural copper sources from meat and organs.

    I inquired with Voyager Food for information on their copper, calcium, and phosphorus levels as this information was not easy to find on their website. Please note, that none of their formulas are appropriate for large or giant breed puppies.*

    From what I can tell, a Ph.D. Nutritionist was involved in the formulation of the food; however, it is unclear if that person is on staff or simply a consultant.

    Further, unless I learn otherwise, we can assume the food is co-packed in a large factory that makes many other brands.

    So while it may be a promising option for some pet owners, I’m not convinced it’s the best or only option.

    *Voyager Foods responded to my inquiry about feeding large and giant breed puppies, to which they replied: “At the puppy stage no, but we have seen the diet do great for that 6-month and up range. For us to meet that requirement  for puppies we would have to add a copper supplement which we truly believe would go against everything we stand for.”

    I would not feed this to any large or giant breed puppy under the age of 18 months of age.

    pexels katie salerno 33273 1

    How to Prevent Copper Storage Disease in Dogs

    Because research is still needed to fully understand why diet-associated copper storage disease is on the rise, and why some dogs are more susceptible than others, there are very few regulations or recommendations for this.

    Based on the data I’ve collected, I think it’s safe to say that the following practices could help minimize risk in some pets:

    • Feed a well-balanced diet with copper below 28 mg/kg, dry-matter basis
    • Take it easy on offering food, toppers, and treats that contain a lot of copper
    • Avoid regularly creating nutrient-dense food bowls that are loaded with high-copper ingredients such as goat milk, organs, flax seeds, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes
    • Do not give “multi-vitamin” supplements that contain copper and/or zinc
    • Reduce all of the above factors as much as possible if you have copper pipes or use well water that is untested and/or unfiltered
    • Stick to WSAVA-compliant food brands such as Purina, Hill’s, and Royal Canin
    • See your veterinarian often for checkups, and ask about monitoring liver and kidney health

    As always, if you are making a homemade diet for your pet (no matter the recipe), consult with a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist.

    Are you concerned about copper in your pet’s food? Have you had a problem with a pet experiencing copper storage disease or health problems related to the liver or kidneys? Please leave your comment below!

    I, for one, look forward to seeing a LOT more research on this topic.

    Footnotes

    1. Copper Associated Liver Disease in Dogs ↩︎
    2. DVM 360 Diagnosing & Treating Canine Copper Associated Hepatopathies
      08/01/2018 ↩︎
    3. Cornell Researchers Warn of Excess Copper in Dog Diets
      Article
      By Greg Cima
      March 17, 2022 ↩︎
    4. Cupric oxide should not be used as a copper supplement for either animals or humans
      DH Baker
      The Journal of Nutrition, 1999•academic.oup.com ↩︎
    5. AAFCO Reaffirms Guidelines on Copper in Dog Food ↩︎
    6. Is it Time to Reconsider Current Guidelines for Copper Content in Commercial Dog Foods?
      American Veterinary Medical Association ↩︎
    7. Goat Milk Has Beneficial Effect on Bioavailability of Copper in Rats

      ↩︎

    *Diamond Pet Food Response to Copper Levels in Pet Food

    When I first inquired about copper levels in Diamond Pet Foods (a manufacturer whose brands include Diamond, Taste of the Wild, Kirkland/Costco, 4 Health, and Nutra Nuggets) they responded by telling me that all foods have 17 mg/kg of Copper.

    Having noticed that all other pet food brands had variable copper levels based on the formula, I inquired further. It seemed odd to me that every formula had exactly 17 mg/kg.

    It took them two days to respond, at which point a veterinarian returned this note to me:

    “The copper level is an average level based on the typical analysis across the formulas as the majority of the copper in the recipes comes from the mineral premix. Ingredients that contribute significant copper, such as liver, are not included in any of our recipes.“

    D. Wilhite, DVM
    Veterinary Team [Diamond Pet Foods]

    This clues me into two major observations of Diamond pet foods:

    1. They don’t have, or won’t share the specific copper levels of each formula (as they provided me with an “average” across all formulas
    2. Consequently, they might not be consistently testing and verifying copper levels in their pet foods through laboratory analysis, which raises concerns regarding quality control
    3. Diamond Brand does NOT meet WSAVA recommendations, as one of the guidelines is that the pet food company should be able to provide the nutrient level of all essential nutrients (which they have failed to do)

    During my discussion with Diamond regarding pet food, they indicated that they do not employ a qualified nutritionist (DACVN or PhD in Nutrition) on their staff and primarily engage with consultants.

    Interpret this information as you see fit; however, to me, it raises several red flags, especially if I’m concerned about copper in my pet’s food.

  • 5 Ways to Prevent Bloat in Dogs

    5 Ways to Prevent Bloat in Dogs

    Bloat is no joke, and the stakes are higher when you’re dealing with larger breeds. So, grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let’s chat about how we can proactively ensure our big buddies steer clear of this deadly condition! No fluff, just the stuff that matters.

    In this topic, I’m covering 5 ways to prevent bloat in big dogs.

    17 1

    What is Bloat in Dogs?

    Bloat, scientifically known as gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV), is like the canine version of a stomach nightmare. Picture this: your big, lovable goofball is happily going about the day when suddenly, things take a twist – literally.

    The stomach fills up with gas, fluid, or air, causing it to swell like a balloon. That’s not even the worst part. That inflated stomach can twist on itself, cutting off blood supply and playing havoc with your pup’s well-being and internal organs.

    It’s a serious medical emergency, and our oversized companions are particularly prone to it.

    It is believed that around 20% of dogs over 100 lbs will experience this in their lifetime. That’s 1 in 5!

    So, in a nutshell, bloat is the kind of party we want to avoid in the doggy digestive system. Stay with me, folks – we’re just scratching the surface.

    What Are The Signs that a Dog is Bloating?

    If you are at all concerned that your dog is bloating, you must visit a veterinarian ASAP. Mere minutes can be the difference between life and death, even if your pet has had a gastropexy (more on this later).

    Here are the signs of bloat in dogs:

    • Swollen Belly: Keep an eye out for a rapidly expanding midsection, a sure sign something’s amiss.
    • Unproductive Vomiting: If Fido’s trying to vomit but nothing’s coming up, it’s a red flag.
    • Restlessness: Excessive pacing, unable to find a comfy spot – a sign of discomfort.
    • Excessive Drooling: More slobber than usual can signal a problem in the belly department.
    • Difficulty Breathing: Labored breathing or rapid panting – breathing should never be a struggle.
    • Pale Gums: Check those gums – if they’re losing color, it’s time to act fast.
    • Collapse: In severe cases, your buddy might collapse – an emergency.
    24

    1. Keep Your Pup Happy to Prevent GDV

    Statistically speaking, anxious, nervous, and aggressive dogs are more likely to bloat. Regarding the risk of bloating in our colossal canines, temperament plays a surprising role.

    Why is this? A confident pet tends to keep the digestive system in harmony, while the anxious types might unknowingly set the stage for gastric drama.

    Think about a time when you were nervous. Did you get the classic symptoms of “bubble gut”? Anxiety causes digestive issues in humans and pets!

    Anxious, fearful, and aggressive dogs tend to gulp their meals down. This is a form of stress that may increase their risk of bloat.

    Here are some common sense ways to reduce stress, anxiety, and aggression in your pet:

    1. Choose Good Breeders: Temperament is largely genetic. Nervous, flighty, anxious, and aggressive dogs often receive these traits from their parents.
    2. Routine Rules: Dogs love a schedule. Stick to regular feeding times, walks, and play – predictability is their happy place.
    3. Cozy Safe Spots: Create a haven where your pet can retreat when the world feels overwhelming. A comfy bed or cozy corner works wonders.
    4. Exercise Galore: A tired dog is a happy dog. Regular walks and playtime help burn off excess energy and keep anxiety at bay.
    5. Positive Reinforcement: Reward good behavior with treats and affection. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in building a chilled-out attitude. Ditch the outdated intimidation-based training methods that instill fear.
    6. Gentle Introductions: Socialize smartly. Gradual introductions to new people, pets, and environments can prevent stress-triggered meltdowns.
    7. Mind Games: Keep those brains buzzing with puzzle toys and games. Mental stimulation is a secret weapon against boredom-induced anxiety.
    8. Consistent Rules: Be clear on the rules and stick to them. Consistency breeds confidence, reducing uncertainty and stress.
    9. Calming Aids: Consider natural calming aids like pheromone diffusers or calming music during anxious times.
    12 1

    2. Prevent Bloat in Dogs by Managing Meal Times

    Managing meals and feeding habits is a key to bloat prevention in dogs.

    Your dog should not consider mealtime a speed-eating contest! Encourage slow, stress-free meal times by offering more frequent meals and feeding from puzzles and slow feeder bowls.

    I love this stainless steel slow feeder because it holds 4 cups and can be properly washed and sanitized (so you prevent chin acne). The Kong Wobbler is also a huge hit in our house! It’s easy to fill, fun to use and only allows the dog to eat a few kibbles at a time.

    Discourage your big dog from inhaling their meals. If you have a dog that also tends to resource guard food (snarling, growling, and snapping), manage the environment to prevent that behavior and the anxiety that comes with it.

    Never feed a single large meal, as it increases the risk of bloat. We recommend offering 2-3 meals/day instead.

    Because big dogs tend to have sensitive digestive systems, you may find that slow eating and more frequent meals help resolve chronic loose stools, too!

    3

    3. Surprising New Science – Movement After Meals is Good!

    It’s long been promoted that large and giant breed dogs should rest before and after meals to prevent bloat. It turns out, this might be nothing more than an old wives tale! Worse, resting after meals may have the opposite effect than intended.

    A fascinating discovery has emerged that challenges conventional wisdom—movement after meals may play a crucial role in preventing bloat

    While the subject is still under scrutiny, early findings suggest that moderate exercise following meals could aid in reducing the risk of bloat by as much as 50%.

    It’s important to approach this evolving insight with cautious optimism, acknowledging the need for further research to solidify these claims.

    However, I believe this makes a lot of sense. After a big meal, a lot of people will move or walk. This helps the digestive system do its job and move things along. We want our dogs to digest their food, not have it hang out in their stomach pulling on their gastric ligaments.

    Rest doesn’t prevent bloat, no matter how much people want to believe it does. Most dogs who present to the veterinarian with bloat/GDV were resting when symptoms began.

    Take a common sense approach to this. Don’t run a marathon after a large meal, but there is no need to lock down all movement, either.

    This article from Tufts University talks about how movement after meals can reduce the risk of bloat, and it’s worth a read!

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    4. Meat Meals & Fresh Foods to Reduce Bloat in Dogs

    Research shows that feeding kibble with rendered meat or bone meal as a main ingredient can reduce the risk of bloat. It is also believed that adding canned or fresh foods to the diet plays a key role!

    You can read more about that research HERE.

    In the pursuit of promoting optimal health for Great Danes and other large-breed dogs, the choice of diet emerges as a critical factor.

    For example, Royal Canin Giant Breed dog food was researched and developed to reduce the risk of bloat in dogs over 100 lbs. It is a formula based on a rendered meat and bone meal, with large kibble pieces that encourage slow eating.

    Here are links to other foods that are recommended for feeding large and giant breed dogs. Look for a named meat meal in the ingredients list!

    Canned foods and fresh foods can also be added to the diet to promote good digestion and health. While the exact mechanism behind this is unknown, studies do show that dogs fed only kibble are at a higher risk of bloat.

    When adding fresh foods, stick to the 90/10 rule. Unbalanced foods must make up 10% or less of the diet. For dogs under age two, 5% or less is a safer ratio.

    Most canned food is balanced, so it can make up a larger portion of the overall intake. Just Food for Dogs is also a great way to add fresh foods that are balanced!

    For fresh options straight from your kitchen, consider the following:

    • Carrots (I love to give my dogs Olewo Carrots!)
    • Blueberries
    • Sweet Potatoes
    • Apples (without seeds)
    • Spinach
    • Pumpkin
    • Green Beans
    • Broccoli (in moderation)
    • Watermelon (seedless)
    • Plain cooked chicken
    • Salmon (cooked, boneless, and without seasoning)
    • Plain yogurt (in moderation, use sparingly for dogs under the age of 2)

    It may be tempting to overdo it with the beautiful fresh foods or to even go all in and start making your pet food in your kitchen. However, we caution heavily against doing this. Most home-cooked diets are nutritionally deficient (or worse, dangerously high in certain minerals and vitamins). This will lead to more health problems than it helps! Read here for more information on homecooked food for dogs.

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    5. Gastropexy & Bloat in Big Dogs

    Gastropexy is the single proven method for reducing complications associated with bloat in dogs.

    A “Pexy” refers to a surgical procedure in which the stomach is affixed to the abdominal wall. This simple stomach tack serves as a preventive measure against bloat, preventing the stomach from potentially flipping over, a condition known as torsion.

    When performed by a skilled veterinarian, this minor yet life-saving procedure aligns with statistically improved outcomes for larger dog breeds, making it a prudent choice for their well-being.

    While the procedure may not eliminate the possibility of bloat, it significantly lowers the chances of torsion, providing peace of mind for both dog owners and their beloved, large canine companions. Veterinarians who work in emergency medicine overwhelmingly support this procedure, which should be done at 18-24 months of age.

    Consulting with a veterinarian about the potential benefits of gastropexy for specific breeds and individual dogs is always advisable.

    It is typically done during routine spay and neuter or dental cleaning surgeries. Work with an experienced veterinarian who has done the procedure many times!

    No matter what, always listen to your veterinarian. Enjoy your pet and don’t stress! Bloat is going to happen or it’s not, it’s much more important to know the signs of dog bloat and be ready with emergency funds to treat it.

    Unfortunately, you can do everything right and still have a dog experience bloat. Don’t beat yourself up, and don’t stress. Dog’s lives are short compared to ours, and we must enjoy them while they are here with us!

    Leave a comment below! Has your dog experienced bloat?

  • Dog Food DCM in Great Danes

    Dog Food DCM in Great Danes

    We’ve already written a few posts about dog food & DCM in Great Danes, but haven’t yet compiled a list of helpful topics, links, and science on it. This dog food DCM article will be ongoing and updated often. If you are concerned about nutritional DCM, or if your Great Dane was diagnosed with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) or heart disease, this blog should serve as a resource for you.

    If you would like to click open some of our most popular nutritional DCM resources, start here (they will open in a new tab for you). Many other links are posted in the blog text below as well.

    Should I feed Grain-Free Dog Food?

    DCM Update, 2022

    Judy Morgan, the FDA, and Pseudoscience

    What is DCM in Dogs?

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    What is Nutritional DCM in Dogs?

    Nutritional DCM, or “dog food DCM” is when a dog develops dilated cardiomyopathy (heart problems) because of unbalanced or poorly formulated nutrition. While some people believe this is a hoax, the relationship between bad nutrition and health problems in animals is well documented.

    In other words, this is a well-known and studied phenomenon. For example, in the not-so-distant past, cats were turning up with dilated cardiomyopathy. Pet food manufacturers responded to this by researching the problem and learning that for cats, it was related to nutritional deficiencies.

    Cat foods were adjusted and from that point forward, the problem went away. Here is an article from 1987 that covers this event: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-14-mn-805-story.html

    For cats, who have a limited ability to make their own taurine, it was a simple solution. Adding taurine to the diet solved the problem. For dogs (who are much more able to synthesize their own taurine from other amino acids), it’s a lot more complicated.

    Below I’m sharing some nutritional DCM facts, as well as scientific research and links. In the interest of keeping this article clean and free of bias, we will not be using any affiliate links in the text of the post.

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    Nutritional DCM Facts

    Here are some facts about nutritional DCM Dilated Cardiomyopathy that you may not know.

    Nutritional Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs is a serious heart condition that has been associated with certain dietary factors. Here are some key facts about nutritional DCM:

    1. Definition: Nutritional DCM is a heart disease that affects the heart muscle, leading to its enlargement and weakened contractions.
    2. Link to Diet: Research has suggested a potential link between certain grain-free and boutique diets and an increased risk of DCM in dogs. Diets high in peas, lentils, and potatoes are specifically under scrutiny. Adding grains to the diet does NOT solve this problem!
    3. Taurine Deficiency: Taurine is an amino acid essential for heart health in dogs. Some cases of DCM have been associated with taurine deficiency, though not all affected dogs are deficient, and not all taurine-deficient dogs develop DCM. Adding taurine to the diet does not necessarily solve this problem.
    4. Affected Breeds: While initially observed more in breeds predisposed to DCM, such as Doberman Pinschers and Boxers, nutritional DCM has been reported across various breeds, including those not historically prone to the disease.
    5. FDA Investigation: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began investigating the potential link between certain diets and DCM in dogs in 2018. The investigation is ongoing, and updates are periodically released.
    6. Importance of Balanced Nutrition: While the investigation continues, it is crucial for dog owners to provide a well-balanced and nutritionally complete diet. Consultation with a veterinarian is advisable to determine the most appropriate diet for an individual dog based on its breed, age, and health status.
    7. Diagnostics and Monitoring: Diagnosis of DCM involves a thorough veterinary examination, including imaging techniques like echocardiography. Regular veterinary check-ups and monitoring are essential for early detection and management.
    8. Treatment: Treatment may involve dietary adjustments, taurine supplementation, and medications to manage heart function. However, outcomes vary, and some cases may be challenging to manage.
    9. Prevention: Until more is known about the specific dietary factors contributing to DCM, prevention involves choosing dog foods with complete and balanced nutrition, and consulting with a veterinarian to tailor the diet to the individual needs of the dog.
    10. Ongoing Research: The understanding of nutritional DCM in dogs is evolving, and ongoing research is essential to uncover the precise factors contributing to this condition. Veterinarians play a crucial role in staying informed and guiding dog owners in making informed dietary choices.
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    DCM & Dog Food Research

    It’s important to keep in mind that many sources of information on nutritional DCM are extremely biased. “Holistic” veterinarians don’t like this discussion because it directly implicates dog food diets that they promote as healthier (for example, grain-free diets from small dog food companies).

    A great example of this can be seen here, by influencer Judy Morgan and her inflammatory take on the FDA statements about DCM research.

    We recommend looking at scientific sources and links, and listening to professionals who have obtained board certifications in their speciality (cardiology, nutrition, internal medicine) when it comes to forming beliefs about nutritional DCM.

    Contrary to popular belief, the FDA has not ‘debunked’ anything, and dedicated research into the mechanisms behind dilated cardiomyopathy is ongoing.

    Like many blogs, Hello Danes is a profit-driven resource. However, we make it a point to share information and form opinions based on boarded professionals, veterinary research, and legitimate science; not anecdotes. We encourage you to click on the research articles we share and form your own opinion, too!

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    Dog Food & DCM Science & Links

    All Trades DVM DCM Timeline – this is incredibly comprehensive and loaded with direct links to scientific studies on the topic:

    https://www.alltradesdvm.com/topics/diet-associated-dcm/dcm-timeline

    The most recent study, shows yet again that pulse ingredients can cause changes to the heart muscle:

    December 2022 DCM Study

    The Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM in Dogs group on Facebook is eye-opening. They document confirmed cases of nutritional DCM, including the dog’s age, breed, and foods that the dog had been eating at the time of their diagnosis.

    Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs

    A team of veterinary specialists and professionals runs the DCM Dog Food website. It has a wealth of information, FAQ’s, and research:

    https://dcmdogfood.com/taurine-dcm-faq/
    https://dcmdogfood.com

    This UC DAVIS Study is seeking participants. If your dog has been eating a commercial diet (grain-free or grain-inclusive) for the last 6 months and does not have congenital heart disease, they may be eligible to participate:

    UC DAVIS DCM Research Study Information

    The Great Dane Club of America posted a 2002 research update into genetic (congenital) DCM in Great Danes. This is unrelated to nutritional DCM, however, has important information for Dane owners on what to look for:

    https://gdca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Great-Dane-102.pdf

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    Nutritional DCM in Great Danes

    I did a quick search in the Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy group for ‘Great Dane’ and the results were heart-wrenching.

    Within minutes I found story after story of Great Danes that had been fed boutique foods and grain-free diets who suffered from an enlarged heart.

    These cases were all well documented and had been diagnosed and confirmed by veterinary cardiologists.

    Many of them were reversed by switching to Purina Pro Plan Large Breed. For some, it was too late. In a quick search, the food I saw repeated most often as a culprit was Taste of the Wild.

    That’s just one brand of many formulas that are popular among Great Dane owners.

    If you want my personal opinion, you could not pay me to feed Taste of the Wild or any other label manufactured by its co-packing company, Diamond Pet Foods. This includes Diamond Naturals, Nutra Nuggets, Costco/Kirkland, and Solid Gold.

    Even if many dogs seem fine on the grain-inclusive versions of these foods, this company is perfectly willing to ignore DCM research and keep foods, such as Taste of the Wild (TOTW) grain-free on the shelves.

    Honestly? The Great Dane community should be much more alarmed about this than they currently are.

    It’s not just about grain-free foods. It’s about formulation. At minimum, dog food companies should be employing people who are qualified to design pet foods. Unfortunately, many do not. They can make plenty of money by investing instead in fancy packaging and marketing claims.

    I searched two brands at the Pet Nutrition Alliance. One of them was Purina (the company with the largest market share by miles, and no verified nutritional DCM cases), and one of them was Diamond Pet Foods (the makers of Taste of the Wild, who has a very small market share and many verified DCM cases).

    Can you guess which is which on the infographic below?

    3
    Note: An “ACVN Diplomate” is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. They have received the highest credentials available when it comes to pet nutrition.

    Here are other popular brands in the Great Dane community that do not have qualified staff to formulate the diets:

    Fromm Family Foods – Formulated by a chemical engineer. In 2023 they promoted a PhD in Animal Nutrition on their staff, and we hope to see positive changes.

    Victor – Formulated by somebody with an M.S. in animal science (not nutrition) and a simple online “nutrition certification”. See also their questionable quality control history, here.

    Holistic Select, Wellness Core, Eagle Pack – Information is not available from any source, indicating that they do not have qualified people formulating the diets that they sell under different brand names, and do not wish that information to be public

    Diamond: Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Nutra-Nuggets, Costco/Kirkland, Solid Gold – “Consults with an M.S. in Animal Nutrition”. This means that across multiple labels, nobody is on staff to formulate the diets, and their off-site consultant is only marginally qualified

    Study after study shows that when it comes to giant breed dogs, and in particular giant breed puppies, choosing a well-balanced and professionally formulated, highly-researched food that has been subjected to feeding trials is incredibly important.

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    Nutritional DCM & Our Recommendations for Great Dane Owners

    We’ve dug into the links, science, and research so that you don’t have to.

    We’re making every effort to present factual, science-backed information that the solid majority of veterinarians and veterinary specialists would support, and we are open to being challenged by reputable sources.

    Knowing this, here are the recommendations that we unapologetically make:

    • Choose a dry food from a well-known brand that is committed to research and that has at least one AVCN Diplomate (Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist) on staff
    • Feed a grain-inclusive diet
    • Avoid kibbles that have a lot of peas, potatoes, lentils, or legumes in the first 10 ingredients
    • Consider getting an echocardiogram for your dog if you’ve been feeding a grain-free or boutique food brand (some dogs will be just fine, but if they aren’t? Catching it early and switching diets is key)
    • Report health issues that may be related to diet (including heart disease, illness, or otherwise) to the FDA. Their food reporting form can be found HERE: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-pet-food-complaint
    • If your dog is suffering from chronic loose stools, skin conditions, muscle wasting, low energy, or allergies, see your veterinarian, take their advice, and don’t be afraid to consider a therapeutic (“prescription” diet) or a consultation with a specialist (dermatology, cardiology, internal medicine, etc.)
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    Recommended Dog Food Brands That Don’t Cause DCM

    The following food brands are NOT associated with cases of preventable nutritional DCM, and are highly recommended by this blog, veterinary professionals, veterinary nutritionists, and top breeders. This is the only paragraph in this post containing Chewy affiliate links – which we could pull for ANY number of brands and formulas.

    These are the only ones we are comfortable recommending to Great Dane owners. We will not recommend brands that we feel are unsafe to feed, and for that reason, this is all you will find on our list:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

  • Dr. Judy Morgan, DCM and the FDA

    Dr. Judy Morgan, DCM and the FDA

    Those of you heavily invested in dogs (as we are) have probably heard about the FDA and DCM as it relates to grain-free dog foods and boutique (BEG) diets causing heart disease. You may also have heard a lot about Dr. Judy Morgan and want to know if she is a legitimate, trustworthy source of information.

    This topic is a HOT one and we’re coming in with all the tea. What prompted this post?

    Oh, just Dr. Judy Morgan (an influencer) posting something that was blatantly anti-science and having thousands of followers blindly follow her without any critical thinking.

    It’s been months since I wrote this post, and now Dr. Morgan has launched a profitable smear campaign against all dog kibble.

    Dr. Morgan is a controversial figure in the world of veterinary medicine, and if you follow her, or want to know if she’s a reliable source of information, this post is for you.

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    Is Dr. Judy Morgan a Legitimate Veterinarian?

    Dr. Judy Morgan is a licensed veterinarian in at least one state. From what we understand she no longer practices medicine the traditional way.

    U.S. law prohibits her from diagnosing and treating disease via telehealth or online consultations in most cases, so she generally sticks to ‘nutritional consultations’.

    On her website, Dr. Morgan highlights her certifications of unknown origin in chiropractic care, acupuncture, and food therapy, which are all offered with a “holistic” mindset.

    Dr. Morgan makes her money through affiliate links and speaking engagements, as well as by selling “holistic” supplements, food, recipes, books, and online nutrition courses.

    Despite claiming to be a nutrition expert, Dr. Morgan is NOT actually boarded in nutrition. That title is reserved for a select few veterinarians who complete a nutrition residency, pass rigorous exams and present legitimate nutrition research. She has done none of these things.

    www.acvn.org

    This wouldn’t normally be an issue, except that she promotes herself as a nutrition expert and goes on to actively denounce the opinions, studies, research, and mentoring provided by veterinary professionals with much more advanced credentials in nutrition than she has.

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    Dr. Morgan, Dr. Becker, and Holistic Pet Care

    You may have heard a few big names in the “holistic pet care” community. Dr. Morgan, Dr. Karen Becker, and Dr. Marty come to mind.

    What does the word “holistic” mean?

    “It is characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness.”

    Holistic pet care, an approach that evaluates the animal’s whole body health, absolutely has a place. Most people use many “holistic” and whole-food approaches in their own home!

    For example, we address exhaustion by eating a healthier diet and nailing down the reasons for the anxiety that keeps us up at night. Or we might choose ibuprofen to tackle a severe headache, and chase it with lemon water to aid in digestive upset.

    We give our dogs Olewo carrots to help with loose stools and fish oil to help with coat and skin health.

    The idea of holistic pet care is a good one, actually a great one.
    The word “holistic”, however, has been bastardized.

    Through marketing, people have come to believe that something labeled as “holistic” is higher quality, better, healthier, and more natural.

    Where “holistic” fails is that it’s become associated with a lot of pseudoscience and misinformation.

    Being more “natural” isn’t necessarily a good thing. Arsenic is perfectly natural, for example.

    The “appeal to nature fallacy” is a great discussion on this very thing. (Read more about this topic HERE).

    Unfortunately, “holistic” is an unregulated term. There is no legal definition and therefore, any food brand, veterinarian, practice, or supplement can claim to be “holistic”, no matter what. This term is being abused.

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    Pseudoscience & Cherry Picking in Holistic Pet Care

    Here is where my concerns with celebrity Veterinarians such as Dr. Judy Morgan (and her “holistic” colleagues) come into play:

    They often denounce evidence-based medicine and nutrition information, discredit their peers, and re-frame official statements from the FDA.

    Doing so is VERY profitable for celebrity veterinarians! Click-bait style headlines drive engagement, traffic, and sales.

    Keep in mind that Dr. Judy Morgan’s end goal is profits: she wants followers to purchase her supplements, books, and recipes.

    That’s completely fair. We all want to make money by sharing our talents with the world. It is not to say that Dr. Morgan has never contributed valuable information and content. She has! I’m sure many people have learned valuable things that helped them with their pets.

    I believe it’s essential for us to scrutinize prominent influencers, however. When their views are perceived as controversial or deviate from the mainstream, it’s crucial to dig deeper and ask additional questions. Especially if their platform relies heavily on discrediting peers who hold a more popular, or science-backed opinion on something.

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    How are Pseudoscience and the FDA Reports on DCM Connected?

    To put this simply, Judy Morgan is a master at interpreting and presenting research, science, and official statements to suit her needs and the desires of her followers. This is a great talent to have, but also, a really good thing to keep in mind when assessing how media and content can be used to engage, mislead, inspire, or even manipulate us.

    Let’s explore this further. Grain-free diets and their potential link to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) have become a contentious issue, sparking a debate between scientists and researchers on one side and the ‘holistic’ pet community on the other.

    In December 2022 the FDA released an updated statement on its page about dietary DCM in dogs.

    Dietary DCM is a complex issue, with multiple research studies having been developed to address concerns related to dogs developing heart disease on certain diets.

    Because researchers have yet to pin down the reasons why it happens, many people in the holistic pet community have promoted that it’s a hoax made up by big pet food companies.

    You can see the FDA DCM announcement page HERE.

    The statement reads:

    December 23, 2022: 

    “FDA does not intend to release further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information to share. A count of reports of DCM in dogs submitted to FDA as of November 1, 2022, has been added to Questions & Answers: FDA’s Work on Potential Causes of Non-Hereditary DCM in Dogs. FDA has followed up on a subset of these reports, but is unable to investigate every report to verify or confirm the reported information. While adverse event numbers can be a potential signal of an issue with an FDA regulated product, by themselves, they do not supply sufficient data to establish a causal relationship with reported product(s). FDA continues to encourage research and collaboration by academia, veterinarians, and industry.“

    Let’s dig in, shall we?

    The scientific and critically curated summary of the FDA statement on DCM is as follows:

    • The FDA was unable to thoroughly investigate every report (of which there were many) submitted to them
    • Adverse event numbers such as the reports submitted above could signal a problem, however, that factor alone isn’t enough to definitively create a correlation between grain-free foods and DCM
    • The research related to this topic has been passed off to researchers to continue investigating (they are more qualified than the FDA)
    • Finally, the FDA will withhold further public updates until additional scientific information is available (further updates may be incoming in the future)

    On the flip side, Dr. Judy Morgan has interpreted the statement to say (paraphrased) that “the FDA called bullshit on the DCM/Grain-Free link, it doesn’t exist, it’s made up by “big dog food” to generate profits, and the discussion is over”.

    These deliberate wording choices are made to trigger emotions that breed suspicion, anxiety, conspiracy theories, and distrust. The resulting emotions and beliefs can be used to manipulate and leverage entire groups of people into believing something that has absolutely no scientific backing.

    She even goes on to say that “millions of pets were switched to poor quality pet food brands because big pet food companies used their influence on the FDA to make more money!“, a statement that has absolutely no proof behind it.

    (Have you heard about the wellness to QAnon pipeline? It fits into this discussion. If you want some more tea, dig in HERE)

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    DCM & Grain-Free Dog Food

    Now, if you aren’t up-and-up on the whole grain-free heart disease thing, this entire conversation may be a little confusing to you. So here is a summary:

    Around 2014, board-certified veterinary cardiologists (heart doctors) noticed an alarming trend. Dogs with no genetic link to DCM were turning up with heart disease. Since then, 100’s more reports have been filed, with new ones coming weekly.

    When they looked into this, most of the dogs with this disease (confirmed) had been eating boutique grain-free foods (which at the time were trending alongside boutique and “holistic” food options that were marketed as higher quality).

    In 2019 the FDA released a statement citing that a handful of brands were highly associated with this correlation. Those brands included foods by Fromm, Acana, Zignature, and 4Health.

    None of the implicated brands have a qualified person on staff to formulate the food they are selling.

    Following the release of that statement, pulse & legume growers (whose profits largely came from dog food brands like the ones listed in the report) went to bat. Financial motivations from these farmers (note, not big dog food!) began to complicate things.

    Despite this, multiple studies continued to show a correlation between nutrition and heart disease. However, the correlation, as it turns out, had little to do with a lack of grains or low taurine.

    It appeared to be related to pulse ingredients (peas, potatoes, legumes, chickpeas) and their use in formulation as a whole.

    In other words, it’s NOT grain-free that is the issue. Just as the FDA has said.

    If a dog food brand uses a lot of peas, potatoes, beans, and chickpeas in their food, whether the food has grain or not, they often effectively replace a lot of actual meat (and certain amino acids, which are necessary for heart health) with plants.

    Anybody who doesn’t think that’s a problem is fooling themselves.

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    Holistic Veterinarians and Ignoring the Science

    To date, multiple studies have shown that there is a link between poorly formulated foods and dogs developing heart disease. Veterinary Cardiologists also report positive outcomes for dogs with nutritional DCM, when they are switched to a properly formulated (and often grain-inclusive) diet.

    The most recent study (December, 2022), indicated that every single one of 23 dogs who were fed non-traditional diets (foods with a lot of peas, potatoes, or legumes) had changes to their heart muscle.

    Why is the holistic community, and influencers like Dr. Morgan ignoring the published research on this topic?

    We have questions about how the “holistic” community reconciles their deep concern about a potential conspiracy within “big dog food” while overlooking the fact that many of their favored “holistic” foods lack formulation oversight from individuals with veterinary or nutrition credentials.

    Those “better foods” are often co-packed in factories handling multiple brands. They aren’t better.

    What leads her to dismiss the existence or significance of the nutrition-DCM link, despite numerous confirmed diagnoses, while concurrently promoting the view that veterinary flea and tick preventatives are harmful and always toxic because a handful of dogs had a negative reaction?

    It’s confusing and alarming.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 8-1-1024x745.jpg

    One Simple Answer – Marketing Rules

    Dr. Judy Morgan operates by keeping people suspicious and full of anxiety about anything mainstream or evidence-based. Vaccines, flea and tick prevention, and pet food are all targets.

    It’s one thing to promote sea kelp (brown algae) for dental health (heck, my veterinarian promotes this and we use it in our home). This is a legitimate “holistic” whole food remedy that has science behind it.

    It’s another to cherry pick science and studies to intentionally drive mistrust for veterinary medicine and pet foods that are backed by dedicated teams of highly educated and experienced researchers and boarded nutritionists.

    If only Dr. Morgan could stick to selling science-backed supplements (including sea kelp) and balanced home dog food recipes.

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    More Information on DCM, Nutrition & Science-Backed Research

    Are you with us? Would you like to get away from pseudoscience?
    I will add to this list as more information becomes available:

    All Trades DVM Famous DCM Timeline

    Is the DCM Debate Over?

    Report Nutritional DCM to the FDA (yes, they are still accepting reports!)

    Comparison of Echocardiograms Between Dogs Fed Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Diets

    Veterinary Science and the FDA

    Tufts University Petfoodology

    https://skeptvet.com/Blog/

    https://nutritionrvn.com/

    Balance It (Balanced Home Cooked Diets Calculator)

    Holistic Veterinarians and Therapeutic Diets

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    Should I Feed My Dog Grain Free?

    Only you can decide.

    It makes no sense to feed dogs a diet that is comprised mostly of peas, potatoes, and legumes in place of meat.

    Unfortunately, most grain-free foods are loaded with those ingredients. If they aren’t loaded, they are also often from companies that don’t employ qualified staff to formulate the diet.

    We recommend feeding a large or giant breed dry diet from an established brand with a large market share such as Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, Iams, or Eukanuba and thoughtfully supplementing the diet with balanced fresh or canned foods to reduce the risk of bloat.

    Some extremely dedicated, educated owners who are working with veterinary nutritionists may also be interested in looking into fully home-cooked diets.

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    Dr. Judy Morgan and the Purina Panic

    This paragraph is a new update to this post, as of January 2024.

    A now-debunked viral post on Facebook (December 2023) speculating that “toxic levels of metal” in Purina Pro Plan killed a dog became the kindling for what I call the “Purina Panic”.

    People who read that viral post shared it with commentary such as “See, I keep telling you Purina is bad, when will you listen?”

    The fire grew. As people read it, they began to be concerned that their pet’s health problems were caused by Purina, so they shared their story.

    Vomiting? Purina.

    Diarrhea? Purina.

    Bad dreams? Purina

    Weakness? Purina

    You get the idea. A Facebook group, with Dr. Judy Morgan as an administrator and “veterinary expert” became a hub for this activity. The group exploded almost overnight, with thousands of people joining to blame their pet’s random health problems on Purina.

    Some dogs had died of Parvo. Their deaths were blamed on Purina, and Dr. Morgan and her loyal advocates were there to swoop in and provide the solution. Seizures are a common genetic disorder, but Purina is taking the blame.

    Conveniently, all members need to do is visit Dr. Morgans’s website for courses and supplements to detox their pets.

    The group is convinced that a “recall is coming” and claims that thousands of dogs have definitively been harmed or killed by Purina pet foods. Meanwhile, the group leadership is discouraging people from sharing their pet’s medical records with the FDA or with Purina and has told them not to get the food tested, either.

    I’m going to make a controversial statement here. This anti-Purina rhetoric is nothing more than profit-driven fear-mongering, and the activity of the group promoting the panic is scarily suspicious of cult behavior.

    I have many thoughts on the topics of social panic and cult-like behavior, which I cover more in-depth in our new blog post “Is Purina Making Sogs Sick”. You can read that HERE.

    I suppose I haven’t truly summarized why Dr. Morgan is so concerning to the pet community, but if you’ve made it this far into my post, please leave a comment! We’d love to hear from you, no matter which side of the fence you stand on. Unlike the Purina Panic group, we don’t shut down our critics. All we ask is that you bring critical thinking and an open mind to the table.

    Cheers!

  • Dietary DCM in Dogs Update

    Dietary DCM in Dogs Update

    We’ve been closely watching and monitoring information and studies in regard to dietary DCM in dogs. DCM is a deadly heart condition that often results in the sudden and unexplained death of otherwise ‘healthy’ looking dogs. This condition is often seen in relation to feeding grain-free or boutique dog kibbles.

    A new DCM dog food study came out this week (December 2022) and the results are unfortunately concerning.

    We are now several studies on nutritional DCM, and every single one has shown this same correlation: certain diets are causing heart disease in dogs.

    If you have a dog and are trying to find the healthiest and safest dog food to feed them, you need to read this update.

    Before we dig into the nitty gritty of this study, I will summarize the results with a quote directly from the abstract:

    “Healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets had lower indices of systolic function and larger left ventricular volumes compared to dogs eating traditional diets. Screening of apparently healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets might allow for early detection of diet-associated DCM.”

    In other words; dogs fed certain diets had alarming changes to their heart muscle. Whether we want to hear it or not, there are dog foods on the market that are causing heart disease in dogs, and you may be feeding one of them!

    The results of this study were published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and can be viewed HERE.

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    Defining the ‘Non-Traditional’ Dog Food Diet

    To better understand this study, we have to define what a non-traditional dog food diet is.

    “Nontraditional diets were defined as those that contained pulse ingredients as main ingredients”

    Pulse ingredients may include:

    • Peas
    • Garbanzo beans/chickpeas
    • Lentils
    • Potatoes
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Beans

    Here is an example of an ingredient list with a lot of non-traditional ingredients, including lentils, pinto beans, peas, navy beans, and chickpeas.

    Screen Shot 2022 12 16 at 9.54.21 AM
    hand putting dog treats on bowl Dietary DCM in dogs update

    Dietary DCM in Dogs Study Details

    For this study, they recruited 46 healthy adult dogs over the age of 3.

    They did not use dogs with a known genetic link to DCM such as Great Danes, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, or Portuguese Water Dogs.

    All 46 dogs chosen were determined to be healthy at the onset of the study. Dogs that were not chosen were excluded for a number of reasons, including existing heart issues and other health conditions. Those receiving medications or taurine supplements were also excluded.

    This means that at the beginning of the study, all 46 dogs had normal, healthy hearts.

    They tried to match breeds between the two groups.

    For example, if a Viszla was in the non-traditional diet group, they tried to place a Viszla in the traditional diet group as well.

    90% of the food that the dogs ate had to be provided by a single dry-extruded food, and the dog’s diets and the ingredients in them were well documented.

    This study shows that many efforts were made to ensure a clean, accurate, fair, and informational result. It’s important to note that there are ethical dilemmas associated with studying something that, based on current knowledge, could potentially harm one of the groups in the study.

    That makes dietary DCM difficult to study, because more and more evidence is showing an alarming correlation (note: likely causation). We also have to take note of the fact that studying something like this takes years! Each study can really only look at one small factor.

    At least 12 studies to date have shown that this is happening; nutritional DCM is real. It is not a scam cooked up by large dog food companies.

    If we are to think logically, feeding dogs diets that are heavy in peas, legumes, pulses, or potatoes isn’t going to be good for them…no matter how we spin it.

    smiling black lady training dog in green park

    DCM Study Results: Changes in Heart Function

    None of us here are veterinarians, but we can all agree that the following statement from the DCM study is alarming:

    “In this study of apparently healthy dogs, those eating nontraditional diets had lower systolic function compared to those eating traditional diets using 2D and 3D echocardiographic measurements of EF, as well as GLS.”

    In other words, 23 dogs who began the study with healthy, normal hearts in the “non-traditional diets” group ended the study with signs that their heart muscle and function had changed for the worse.

    Many Veterinary Cardiologists and veterinarians have been alarmed and concerned about a potential link between certain dog food diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. This study along with many others (which can be seen here) are collectively building a strong and concerning case that not all dog foods are created equal.

    So what makes a diet safe or not safe for your dog? Let’s dig in.

    greyhound dog watching elderly owner reading book

    Non-Traditional Dog Food Examples

    Here are some examples of the kind of non-traditional dog food brands that are similar to or identical to the foods fed in the study. Please note, that these are just a handful of examples in a dog food market with literally thousands of choices.

    This is not to say that these diets below are going to hurt your dog’s heart, but we highly suggest avoiding foods like this until additional information comes out regarding dog food and nutritional DCM.

    Please note that some companies use ingredient splitting to move pulse and non-traditional ingredients lower on the list. A food with peas lower on the list could still actually be very high in peas.

    In general, basing your dog food choice solely on the ingredients list is not the best way to make a decision, however, in this case, the ingredients list will provide valuable information.

    Note how the examples below:

    • May include multiple non-traditional or pulse ingredients, not just one
    • Might have ‘split’ ingredients into multiple forms (peas + pea protein + pea fiber + pea flour + pea starch)
    • May or may not include added taurine. Taurine does NOT prevent nutritional DCM.
    • Often present their food as “high-quality”, “holistic”, “natural”, and “free of fillers and by-products”
    • Are often sold at a premium price point

    NOTE: by intentionally splitting single ingredients into 2 or more parts (peas + pea protein + pea fiber + pea flour) or using multiple different pulse ingredients (lentils, peas, potatoes), food companies can make the recipe appear to be meat-focused.

    Add those ingredients up, however. If you put them all together in a bowl, it’s likely they actually outweigh the meat that was included in the formula.

    69179 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1605743533 1

    Ingredients in Wellness Core Large Breed Dog Food:

    Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Turkey Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Pea Fiber, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Kale, Choline Chloride, L-Carnitine, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract. This is a naturally preserved product.

    64387 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1669946237 1 1

    Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Large Breed Rocky Mountain Recipe

    Deboned Beef, Fish Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein, Beef Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Potatoes, Flaxseed (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Canola Oil (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Dried Egg Product, Fish Oil (Source Of Epa-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Deboned Lamb, Deboned Venison, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Chicory Root, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Taurine, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil Of Rosemary.

    75677 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1646272965 1

    Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Basics Large Breed

    Deboned Lamb, Potatoes, Pea Starch, Peas, Lamb Meal, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Pea Fiber, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Potato Starch, Fish Oil (source of EPA-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Choline Chloride, Pumpkin, Dried Chicory Root, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Salt, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Chondroitin Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.

    154549 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1657655675 1

    Ingredients in Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

    Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Lentils, Salmon Meal, Smoke-Flavored Salmon, Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.

    a person with long wavy hair hugging a dog

    Grain-Free Foods and DCM

    Unfortunately, a large percentage of studies show a correlation between DCM and grain-free foods. This is because many grain-free diets have replaced grains with suspect ingredients such as peas, potatoes, and legumes.

    However, dogs fed grain-inclusive foods are also turning up with nutritional DCM. While it’s more commonly seen in dogs fed grain-free foods, the lack of grains itself is not necessarily to blame.

    This is 100% a formulation issue that is complex and likely has many factors.

    This information can be scary for pet owners who, understandably, aren’t sure how to choose safe and healthy dog food for their pets!

    Here is what we do know:

    • A shiny coat and good stools are nice, but, it’s not an indication that the food is healthy or safe.
    • Many dogs with nutritional DCM show few signs at all until one day, they have a “heart attack” and die. They may even have been ‘healthy’ just moments before their death.
    • Some dogs with nutrition DCM do show signs. We’ve shared the signs of DCM in dogs below.
    • IMPORTANT: adding grains or taurine to a poorly formulated diet does not prevent or treat nutritional DCM.
    • Many common signs of nutritional DCM are easy to write off as ‘aging’ or ‘laziness’.
    • Dogs with nutritional DCM typically have normal taurine levels.

    If you have been feeding a suspect diet, in particular a diet with a lot of pulse ingredients or legumes including peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, or lentils, it may be smart to see the veterinarian and request an echocardiogram. We also recommend changing your dogs diet.

    papillon licking face of woman stroking labrador retriever in nature

    What are the Signs of DCM in Dogs?

    DCM is primarily a genetic disorder, and yes, Great Danes are prone to it.

    That makes the nutritional aspect of DCM even more alarming: for dogs with a genetic risk, choosing the wrong diet effectively increases the chance that they may suffer from heart problems.

    While many dogs with DCM (especially secondary DCM, caused by nutrition) will show no signs at all (and may even appear healthy and shiny), many others will show symptoms. These symptoms can be subtle and mistaken for other things.

    Symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    • Low energy (including being “lazy” or the assumption that it’s normal because they are “getting older”)
    • Poor muscle tone, including a loss of muscle tone or even atrophy
    • Anorexia and weight loss
    • Intolerance to heat or exercise
    • Panting
    • Pale gums
    • Coughing
    • Irregular heart rhythm
    • Weak pulse
    • Distended abdomen
    • Collapse

    As a whole, nutritional DCM is considered “rare”. However it’s important to note that many cases of it are never officially diagnosed and documented. If an otherwise “healthy” dog dies randomly, it is most often considered to be caused by a heart attack.

    These cases are not often included in nutritional DCM statistics. Most people understandably do not pay to have advanced diagnostics done on their deceased pet. Documented, verified cases of nutritional DCM have to meet certain guidelines.

    (To see cases of nutritional DCM being documented in real time, as well as information regarding brands that were being fed at the time of diagnosis, visit the Diet Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy page HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1952593284998859)

    photography of three dogs looking up

    What Dog Foods Do Not Cause DCM?

    Because we don’t entirely yet understand why some foods cause DCM and not others (though, the picture is becoming more clear, as we’ve seen in the recent DCM study), it’s hard to say definitively whether one particular food will cause or not cause DCM.

    There is one common factor that is worth noting, however.

    Dogs being fed well-researched brands that have board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists formulating the diet are not turning up with Nutritional DCM.

    As a matter of fact, time and time again, dogs with nutritional DCM are recovering when they are switched to a properly-formulated grain-inclusive diet.

    Catching the disease early is a key element to treating N-DCM with a diet change.

    What is a properly formulated, grain-inclusive diet?

    It will meet the following guidelines:

    • They will have at least one Board-certified veterinary nutritionist formulating the diets (ideally several of them) and they should be employed by the company – not working as consultants
    • Those companies should also employ qualified staff focused on food science, toxicology, microbiology, and quality control
    • Have a commitment to peer-reviewed science and research, indicating that they are advancing our understanding of veterinary medicine, nutrition, disease, growth, and health; all knowledge that can be applied to nutritional formulations
    • Will do feeding trials, proving formulations and bioavailability in “real life”, not just on paper (which is the bare minimum)
    • Owned facilities, not co-packed
    • Strict quality-control procedures and guidelines
    • Traditional formulation containing meat meal, meat by-product meal, and traditional (well-researched) grains such as rice, oats, or corn

    The primary brands that check all of these boxes include:
    Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, and Iam’s.

    If you are unsure if your pet food meets these basic ethical guidelines, send them an email! Be a saavy consumer, watch for signs that they are intentionally misleading you.

    For example:

    • “We have a team of nutrition professionals” (Note the avoidance of the word ‘we employ’, implying that their team is likely made up of consultants who may do nothing more than check a box)
    • “Our food is packed in a USDA facility” (Making a co-packing situation sound good; this company doesn’t own their facilities and has less control over the final product)
    • “We do our research and feeding trials in-house” (This often means that they aren’t willing or able to have their research peer-reviewed and critiqued and thus, anything goes…including the ‘results’)

      You can also check some of the stats on your food brand at the Pet Nutrition Alliance.

    Additionally, here is a great video on how to choose a pet food for your dog:

  • DCM in Great Danes: What you need to know

    DCM in Great Danes: What you need to know

    If you are the owner of a Great Dane, then you need to be aware of DCM in Great Danes. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common and serious heart condition that affects this breed. It often results in sudden death. If your dog has a recent diagnosis of DCM, this post is for you!

    In this blog post, we will discuss what DCM is (including primary and secondary DCM), the symptoms to watch for, and information about how heart problems are treated in dogs. I’m also going to deep dive into OFA heart health testing protocols AND the controversial grain-free foods and nutritional DCM debate.

    We will also provide information on how you can help keep your Great Dane healthy and prevent DCM from developing!

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    What is DCM in Great Danes?

    DCM, aka Dilated Cardiomyopathy, is a heart condition that is characterized by an enlarged heart. This enlargement makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, and as a result, the dog’s body does not get enough oxygen. As you can imagine, this is a dangerous and often devastating condition for any Great Dane.

    Sudden cardiac death is a common and devastating complication of DCM.

    There are two types of DCM in dogs: primary and secondary.

    Primary DCM is thought to be genetic. Only a small handful of breeds are prone to genetic DCM, and Great Danes are one of them.

    Secondary DCM is caused by unbalanced nutrition, or may also be the result of an infection or other underlying health condition.

    We will dig further into both forms of dilated cardiomyopathy DCM in dogs, as well as prevention and treatment protocols below!

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    What are the symptoms of DCM in dogs?

    The unfortunate reality is that many dogs who have DCM, especially secondary DCM (more below) present with little to no symptoms at all until it’s too late.

    Sudden death is a common complication associated with this disease, and will often take the lives of young dogs who appear otherwise healthy. Sudden congestive heart failure is devastating.

    In dogs that do present with symptoms associated with DCM, exercise intolerance is often one of the first signs.

    Many people mistake this lowered energy with aging or laziness.

    Exercise intolerance means that your dog will tire easily during activities that he used to be able to do with ease.

    You may also notice that your dog coughs, has difficulty breathing, or has a lower tolerance for heat.

    Other DCM symptoms include:

    • Loss of appetite, including anorexia
    • Weight Loss
    • Abdominal Swelling
    • Weakness & exhaustion
    • Poor circulation and capillary refill, including pale gums
    • Blue tongue
    • Pulse deficits
    • Lethargy
    • Fainting or collapsing

    These signs can be easy to overlook because they are often gradual and not specific to heart disease.

    However, if you notice any of these changes in your dog it’s important to contact your veterinarian right away.

    A basic ‘vet check’ or wellness check does NOT rule out serious heart conditions; echocardiograms are one of the only ways to verify changes to the cardiac muscle that point to canine cardiomyopathy.

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    How long can a Great Dane live with DCM?

    Because Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy symptoms are often overlooked, many affected dogs may be receiving treatment too late.

    It’s important to remember that there is no cure for primary (genetic) DCM and it is a progressive disease. This means that even with treatment, the condition may continue to worsen over time.

    Dogs with genetic DCM have a guarded prognosis and often do not live more than a year or two after diagnosis, even with treatment.

    Secondary DCM, however, is often treatable and may even be reversible if the underlying cause can be identified and corrected.

    For example, if your dog has secondary DCM caused by an infection, successfully treating the infection and the underlying cause of it will often improve heart function.

    Or if you are feeding a boutique food diet, home cooked diet, or a diet with a lot of pulse ingredients or potatoes, and your dog is diagnosed with secondary nutritional DCM, switching to a different food from a heavily researched brand (such as Purina or Royal Canin) has been shown time and time again to help or even reverse the disease.

    Read HERE for information about how peas, potatoes, lentils, and legumes have been linked yet again to heart disease in dogs.

    It’s important to work closely with your veterinarian and your veterinary cardiologist to create the best treatment plan, based on the underlying reasons for it.

    There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy, and depending on the cause and severity, the course of treatment will often need to be adjusted as the disease progresses.

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    What dogs are prone to DCM?

    Some dogs are more prone to this condition than others, however, all dogs are at risk (especially when it comes to secondary nutritional DCM).

    Dog breeds that are especially prone to canine dilated cardiomyopathy include:

    • Great Danes
    • Boxers
    • Newfoundlands
    • Doberman Pinschers
    • Cocker Spaniels
    • Irish Wolfhounds

    Of these breeds, Great Danes have some of the highest rate of DCM.

    Because Great Danes already have a major genetic component to consider, it’s even more important to be educated about the role that nutrition might play in dramatically increasing our dog’s risk of developing this disease.

    Does Grain-Free Food Cause DCM in Dogs?

    What are the Best Foods to Feed a Great Dane?

    How do I Keep my Great Dane Healthy?

    15

    Diagnosing Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM

    As before, many affected dogs are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that are easily mistaken for other more mild health issues.

    Exercise intolerance, or an abnormal heart rhythm or breathing pattern will often be among the first (easily missed) clinical signs that a dog is in the early stages of dilated cardiomyopathy.

    Affected individuals may also tire easily during exercise, may have a blue tongue (a possible sign of low oxygen supply resulting from poor heart function), or may cough after physical activity.

    As the heart disease progresses, dogs may experience an increased heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, fluid retention (often manifested as weight gain with no change in diet), weight loss, and fainting episodes.

    In its final stages, DCM can cause congestive heart failure, which leads to sudden death.

    An ultrasound examination of the heart contractions, heart muscle, and blood flowing through the heart can provide a veterinary cardiologist with important clues about the heart disease your dog is facing.

    Should I Feed Puppy or Adult Food?

    The Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart

    Everything You Need to Know about Great Dane Puppies →

    7

    Primary Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Genetic)

    Severe congestive heart failure is an early killer of young dogs who have a genetic predisposition to DCM. Great Danes are PRONE to genetic DCM. This means that they receive their bad hearts from their parents.

    Like bloat, dilated cardiomyopathy heart disease is directly related to the shorter overall life expectancy of Great Danes.

    Every dog that dies suddenly from this devastating disease lowers the average as a whole.

    OFA Cardiac Health Testing

    OFA (the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) cardiac health testing is important for all dogs, but it’s especially important for breeds, such as Danes and Doberman Pinschers that are extremely prone to primary DCM.

    Ethical breeders will have an echocardiogram performed on each parent dog prior to breeding. This necessary health test can rule out changes to the heart muscle that indicate a possible genetic predisposition to the disease.

    They will also do a thorough pedigree analysis to look for genetic factors related to family history.

    If a pedigree analysis suggested that the puppies may be predisposed to inheriting canine idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, ethical breeders will not breed those dogs.

    All of this should be done prior to breeding. Unfortunately, many ‘friendly’ breeders with cute, clean, healthy-looking puppies skip this step. By the time you fall in love with those adorable puppy feet and eyes, it’s too late.

    The genetics have been passed on and your puppy may be one of the not-so-lucky ones.

    It is important that we hold Great Dane breeders to a high standard. Make it socially unacceptable to breed dogs without full health testing. Do not buy dogs from breeders who are not proving their dogs and fully-health testing the parents before breeding.

    Verify that echocardiograms were done by your breeder by searching the OFA database. Your breeder should have the parent listed, as well as the tests that were performed in addition to information about the results.

    www.ofa.org

    If your breeder has skipped this test or not registered it with the OFA, you’ve found a backyard breeder.

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    Responsible Dog Breeding

    Because Great Danes are a breed prone to a number of devastating health issues, including dilated cardiomyopathy, it’s even more important to be sure that you are working with a responsible breeder.

    A responsible breeder will:

    Thoroughly health test all breeding stock: heart, hips, eyes, and thyroid results should be available for you to view at www.ofa.org

    Have detailed knowledge of the Great Dane breed and how their dogs are excellent examples of the Great Dane breed standard.

    Be able to answer any questions you have about Great Danes and Great Dane puppies.

    Be invested in the health and well-being of the puppies, and are willing to support them for life.

    Choosing responsible breeders means that we are choosing to improve the health of the Great Dane breed as a whole.

    When we buy our puppies from breeders who cut corners, we are not only risking the health of our own dogs, but we are also perpetuating the cycle of poor breeding practices that produce sickly dogs and the seemingly endless stream of dogs filling up our rescues.

    20

    Secondary Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Nutritional)

    Nutritional canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy is also a preventable disease. This one is controversial, however, it’s important to discuss.

    Clinical findings in multiple studies show that improperly formulated foods, especially those that have a lot of peas, legumes, and potatoes are a suspicious culprit when it comes to N-DCM. While studies are ongoing, new evidence is being collected.

    300-400 new boutique dog foods hit the market every year in the U.S. It stands to reason that not all of them are created equal.

    Researchers, including board-certified veterinary cardiologists, are currently investigating a link between diets that have a lot of peas, potato, lentils, and legumes and DCM. They are collecting data and encouraging pet owners and veterinarians to report cases of DCM in dogs that are eating suspect diets.

    The most recent study from December 2022 showed yet another correlation between peas/potato/legumes and changes to the heart muscle.

    Suspect diets include:

    Boutique foods of all kinds (including those with or without grain) that do not have qualified staff formulating the diets they sell

    Foods that contain a lot of pulse ingredients or potatoes, including peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans

    Foods that utilize a lot of ingredient splitting to push lentils, peas, or potatoes further down on the ingredients list (including multiple forms of one ingredient such as: whole lentils, green lentils, red lentils, lentil fiber or whole peas, pea flour, pea fiber, yellow peas for example)

    Most grain-free foods, which often contain a lot of pulse ingredients as above

    Home-cooked or raw diets that are not correctly balanced

    Many young giant breed dogs who appear otherwise healthy, have excellent veterinary wellness checks, and show no outward clinical signs will suddenly pass away while playing or in their sleep.

    Because these instances are sudden and extremely emotional for dog owners, post-mortem testing by a board-certified Veterinary Pathologist is rarely completed.

    It is believed that nutritional DCM is presenting at rates much higher than currently documented. Just look around any DCM topic in the Great Dane community; so many people have experienced this issue with their dog.

    It is important to note that many dogs are symptom free until they die suddenly. Many others however, DO have symptoms. Every case is different.

    DCM UPDATE – December 2022
    Dr. Judy Morgan, DCM, and the FDA Statements (a MUST READ if you want to learn how to spot pseudoscience!)

    3

    Dog Foods and DCM in Dogs

    Many dog food brands fail to meet certain ethical criteria for the production of dog foods.

    • They rarely if ever employ full-time, on-staff, board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists. This means that the food is often put together by people who have little to no appropriate credentials to do so.
    • Feeding trials and ongoing testing of the formula used are minimal, if used at all. Boutique foods aren’t subjected to the same research and controls; they only meet nutritional minimums on paper.
    • Boutique foods often use 3rd party co-packing facilities. This means that they have less oversight of quality control, consistency, and production.
    • Ingredient splitting is a common practice of boutique food companies. This sneaky trick makes the ingredients list look ‘healthy’ and meat-focused when the bag is full of nothing more than meat-flavored peas. Read more about this HERE.
    • Unregulated, emotional marketing terms and wild claims are used. These terms are used to intentionally mislead pet parents so they will spend more money to feel good about what they feed their pets.

    “Holistic”, “human-grade”, and “super-premium” are just some that you may have heard.

    • They rarely, if ever, participate in legitimate AAFCO feeding trials, nor do they contribute to or benefit from the global veterinary science and research communities. This means that YOUR dog is the guinea pig.

    You can compare over 600 brands head to head based on this value and others at The Giant Dog Food Project.

    https://www.facebook.com/timberlandvet/posts/447032694095912
    6 4

    How to choose a dog food that doesn’t cause DCM

    The best way to reduce your dog’s risk of nutritional DCM is to feed a high-quality diet from a heavily researched brand with a qualified nutritionist on staff.

    Not all dogs fed an unbalanced, boutique, or ‘grain-free’ diet will get DCM! It is being theorized that there are specific mechanisms at play for some dogs and not others.

    The problem is, you won’t know if your dog is one of the ‘at risk’ ones until it’s too late.

    A good diet will provide your dog with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Marketing may have taught you that “these “big” brands are full of ‘fillers’ and junk, but that’s simply not true.

    Look for brands that are highly researched and that invest millions of dollars every year into veterinary internal medicine organizations and learning more through science.

    The contributions that the ‘Big 5’ food brands (Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, Eukanuba, Iams) have made to veterinary research have helped us learn more about not only heart issues but bloat, cancer, wobblers, lifespan, and more. These brands are literally writing the book on companion animal health. Read PURINA research updates from the Great Dane Club of America HERE.

    Good food brands will do comprehensive feeding trials so that they can continuously improve their products, and they employ entire teams of dedicated professionals with advanced degrees in veterinary science, food science, quality control, and veterinary nutrition.

    16 1

    Ingredients in Pet Food

    The ingredients that food brands use are there for nutritional reasons, including scary-sounding things such as ‘By-Product Meal’ and ‘corn’.

    There is no such thing as ‘fillers’. Even dangerous ingredients such as peas and lentils (used in large amounts) are not ‘fillers’, as they do provide fiber and nutrients.

    A legitimate filler would be something like styrofoam, with no nutritional value, that would also result in nutritional deficiencies. The word “fillers” is a marketing term, meant to scare you, but has no legal definition.

    So let’s talk about scary ingredients in dog food.

    Both by-products and corn are extremely nutrient-dense.

    We cannot say the same about ‘fresh farm-raised deboned chicken’, which is literally 70% water.

    If you’ve ever given a dog a whole dead chicken, know this: they will eat the WHOLE THING. Eyes, bones, feet, beak, stomach, stomach contents (including grains and yes, corn), liver, and more. The most nutritious part for them is not the watery muscle meat. It’s the ‘guts, bones, and junk’.

    By-Products and meat meals are nothing more than the parts of the animal that many humans are often uninterested in eating, that dogs desperately need in their diets!

    By-products are not actually waste. They are a secondary product that results from the production of other products.

    For example, Cream of Tartar is a by-product of wine making. If you have ever eat Snickerdoodles, which get their flavor from cream of tartar, you’re eating a “by-product”.

    Using by-products from the meat industry is better for the environment, too. Why waste food and nutrition if we don’t have to?

    If you give your dog a bully stick to chew on, you are giving your dog a by-product.

    Boutique companies tend to choose ingredients such as “ancient grains” or “fresh deboned turkey” that look and feel pretty to you (so we buy the food), but not necessarily the ingredients that have been scientifically proven to make your dog look and feel its best.

    Don’t believe us? Read our article about ingredient splitting in dog food. This dirty trick is what gives boutique food companies leverage to make you believe their formulas have ‘meat first’.

    When it comes to your dog’s health, don’t be fooled by unregulated marketing terms, pretty packaging, “nice” sounding ingredients, or higher price points.

    Common small food brands include Victor, Fromm, 4Health, Diamond (also Costco), Instinct, Earthborn Holistic, Acana, Orijen, Solid Gold, Farmina, Nulo, Nutro, and Nutrisource.

    None of these brands have a veterinary nutritionist on their side or on their staff.

    • Fromm foods are formulated by a chemical engineer
    • Victor foods are formulated by a guy with an M.S. in science and an online certificate in nutrition – better, but still not great
    • Diamond/Costco/Taste of the Wild/Nutra-Nuggets/Solid Gold are formulated by an unknown person, and checked by an off-site consultant who has an M.S. in Animal Nutrition (underqualified)

    What is Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food?

    How do I choose the Best Food for my Great Dane Puppy?

    What is Hip Dysplasia?

    14 1

    Can nutritional DCM be reversed?

    When caught early, nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs can be managed and is often reversed through an immediate diet change and certain cardiac medications if warranted. This has been proven time and time again.

    Many dogs have shown almost complete recoveries from DCM when their owners switched them away from grain-free and boutique dog foods (aka “BEG” diets).

    This means that dogs with heart disease should be choosing a brand that is formulated, tested, and researched by on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionists, and that meets the highest standards for formulation, ethics, and manufacturing practices outlined by the World Small Veterinary Association’s common-sense guidelines for choosing pet foods.

    9 1

    Matilda’s Story

    There was a time, long before I wrote this blog post when I was a die-hard boutique dog foods snob.

    Over the course of 5 years, I tried Fromm, Nutrisource, Nutro, Farmina, Earthborn, Nature’s Logic, and Nutro.

    Those brands told me that my dog would be healthier on their diet, and yet, we switched often trying to find the ‘right food’ because they were not actually healthier! I read ingredients lists until I was blue in the face.

    In that time, between my three dogs (two are Danes) I saw:

    • Low energy
    • Dull coat
    • Itching
    • Chronic ear and paw infections
    • A massive lung infection that resulted in a $3500 vet bill
    • Allergies & paw swelling
    • Pink skin
    • Malnutrition and lack of muscle tone
    • Chronic loose stools and ‘sensitivities’
    • Acid reflux
    • Bed wedding
    • Screaming during sleep and becoming unresponsive
    • Low heat tolerance
    • Blue tongue indicating a lack of properly oxygenated blood

    My female Dane Matilda was taking the brunt of the worst of them: reflux, bed wedding, low energy, and strange breathing patterns.

    She began screaming in her sleep and would often be unresponsive to waking when I would jump out of bed to see what was wrong.

    My veterinarian did a blood test, prescribed supplements and medications, talked about referring us to specialists, and also implored me to immediately put her on one of the “evil Big 5 Brands: Purina, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Hill’s, Iam’s”.

    She also told us to follow up and retest once our dog had been put on more appropriate food.

    I had no interest in feeding my dog Hill’s or Purina and was appalled that she would suggest it. My dog was sick, why would I feed her garbage!?

    So, I marched myself into a natural boutique pet food store and asked a sales rep for nutrition advice.

    Think about this for a moment.

    I had a very sick dog and went first to a sales rep on an hourly salary for nutrition advice. Somebody that, for some reason, I trusted more than my veterinarian.

    Marketing taught me to trust the opinion of a sales-driven employee with no legitimate credentials, in a sales-driven store, over the opinion of somebody with 8+ years of high-level education followed by years of practice in actual veterinary medicine.

    This is terrifying and I want people to be aware of the misguided bias and opinions that boutique food companies have used marketing to lead us to!

    I consider myself a well-researched, educated, intelligent dog owner. All of us are susceptible to marketing.

    Low energy is often misdiagnosed as ‘aging’ or ‘laziness’. That’s heartbreaking.

    How is DCM Treated in Dogs?

    The treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy depends on the presentation, symptoms, and severity of the disease.

    In addition to recommendations to choose a diet that was formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and subjected to rigorous research and testing, a cardiologist will often also prescribe medications and supplements that can help with missing nutrients, blood flow, chamber dilation, vascular dilation, and blood pressure.

    Veterinary Cardiology is a specialized field comprised of individuals who first completed their veterinary schooling and went on to specialize and become board-certified.

    Many of them are investing a lot of research, resources, and science into the study of nutritional and primary dilated cardiomyopathy DCM.

    Their contribution to veterinary medicine, and the opinions that they have about the progression of this disease and its causes are valuable and important. You can find information about peer-reviewed research from them below.

    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/11/dcm-update/

    Share Your Story

    Did you have a dog die suddenly from unknown causes or from a confirmed case of nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy?

    If you have lost a dog suddenly and are struggling to understand why, I am so sorry for your loss. Please share your story below, we want to hear it! Others need to hear it, too. Please use our platform for this.

    If you are worried that your dog may be developing clinical signs of illness that may point to dilated cardiomyopathy DCM, seek veterinary care and a thorough physical examination immediately.

    We also recommend that if you have been feeding a suspect BEG or boutique foods diet (with or without grains and with or without taurine supplementation) that you seek an echocardiogram as a means to catch any changes to the heart muscle at an early stage.

    This is recommended even if you are not seeing any other clinical signs of impending congestive heart failure. Early diagnosis of changes to the heart muscle is key.

    Resources:

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy on Facebook (join this group to see ongoing reports in real-time and read personal stories of veterinary confirmed nutritional DCM cases)

    All Trades DVM DCM Timeline (a common sense look at all of the reports, research, and FDA statements surrounding nutritional DCM)

    How to Choose a Pet Food – Tufts University (information from veterinary nutritionists with no financial motivations, affiliate links, sales, or ads)

    Great Dane Club of America Health Research (Purina Update articles about Great Danes with research on bloat, HOD, wobblers, nutrition, and more)

    Health And Research
    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2021/09/diet-associated-dcm-research-update/
    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/12/questions-you-should-be-asking-about-your-pets-food/
    https://www.medvetforpets.com/beg-diets-and-dcm-in-dogs-recommendations-regarding-diagnosis-and-management/
  • Misconceptions in the World of Dogs: Debunking the Myths

    Misconceptions in the World of Dogs: Debunking the Myths

    There is a lot of advice and marketing floating around in the world of dogs. A lot of it is dated and much of it is actually dangerous! Misconceptions in the world of dogs are rampant and we’re going to clear up some big ones today.

    These are 5 common ideas in the world of dogs that are actually a big fat scam! These misconceptions are meant to make you buy more things or do things that could actually hurt, frustrate or even kill your dog.

    Read on, friends.

    misconceptions in the world of dogs

    Allergy Testing for Dogs

    Many people whose dogs have loose stools, itching, and other symptoms of allergies will turn to blood or saliva allergy tests for answers.

    These tests prey on desperate dog owners!

    Here is how it goes down:

    The results will show a list of things the dog is supposedly “allergic” to. This list most often includes things like chicken, corn, grains, and grass or pollen.

    Feeling validated, the owner will then choose a boutique “Limited Ingredient” dog food and spend insane amounts of money on expensive diets, supplements, washes, and more.

    When that diet doesn’t work, the owner will switch the diet, again and again, further destroying the dog’s gut health (which of course, leads to more sensitivities, allergies, or even heart failure, YIKES!) while trying to find something that ‘works’).

    (See our post below about designer boutique dog food!)

    The truth about allergy testing in dogs

    There is no good evidence to support any type of blood serum or saliva allergy testing in dogs! As a matter of fact, studies have shown that these tests are wildly inaccurate.

    This article from Tufts University outlines the science behind this. https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2020/03/food-allergy-testing

    How to diagnose allergies in dogs

    So what is a pet owner to do?

    A food elimination trial using hydrolyzed protein diets is still the gold standard for diagnosing legitimate food allergies in dogs.

    This means taking your dog off of all food sources, including treats and counter surfing, except for a highly hydrolyzed protein diet (think Hills z/d or Purina HA) for at least 12 weeks.

    If the symptoms improve, then you can slowly add things back in one at a time to see if there is a true allergy.

    But beware, these diets are expensive and not all dogs will eat them!

    This is, of course, assuming that a food allergy is actually what is happening. Actual allergies to specific proteins in food are exceptionally rare, and there are more often environmental factors at play.

    Choosing an appropriate, well-balanced diet (correctly formulated raw and/or quality non-boutique kibble, see below) and addressing environmental allergies with robust gut health and possibly medications (including Benedryl) will be much more effective and healthy for your pet.

    Should I Feed Grain Free?

    Fish Oil for Great Danes

    Puppy Food for Great Danes

    8 Must Know’s for Great Dane Nutrition

    Great Dane Not Eating – What to Do

    32

    Is “Force-Free” Dog Training Ethical?

    The second discussion point in our ‘dog world myths’ series will likely bring us some heat, and that’s ok!

    Some dog trainers out there claim to be “Force-Free” and will use marketing to imply that they are the only “humane”, and “science-based” option.

    They often spend a lot of time bashing other dog trainers, tools, and methods, too.

    But here is the thing:

    It’s scientifically impossible to be “Force-Free” or to use only “Positive Reinforcement”.

    All dog trainers use some form of positive reinforcement (rewarding the dog for doing something) and negative punishment (taking something away from the dog to decrease a behavior).

    Whether it’s withholding a treat, keeping a dog on a long leash, or isolating a dog from socialization and the world to avoid bad behaviors, the reality is that force, punishment, and coercion are at play.

    The problem lies in the fact that a “Force-Free” dog trainer will always choose, without exception, no matter the situation, isolation and physical restraint (yes, force) in lieu of just saying NO.

    For many dogs, this becomes a compounding source of frustration that leads to anxiety, reactivity, frustration, and over-excitement.

    This is especially true when it comes to dangerous and rude (but easily correctable) behaviors such as running out of doors, chasing cars or wildlife, humping, ignoring recall, or jumping the fence.

    These are behaviors that “Force-Free” dog trainers will often choose to manage for months or years at a time with, you guessed it, force in the form of physical restraint and isolation.

    “Force-Free” is a marketing term that misleads dog owners into thinking they are doing something “positive and humane” for their pets.

    Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training

    We believe in and use positive reinforcement in dog training! That should always be the primary way to install new behaviors and guide dogs towards making the correct choice.

    Dogs should have fun learning and never be subjected to intimidation or harsh, forceful corrections.

    However, we recommend avoiding extreme, one-sided dog training methods such as “Force-Free” that are restrictive (and frustrating) to you and your dog.

    Communicating mostly YES with an occasional NO as needed is the most humane thing we can do for our pets!

    Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training

    What is Balanced Training?

    Day Pouch Treat Bag Review

    Is the Gentle Leader an Abusive Tool?

    Things that are More Aversive Than an E Collar in Training

    The Best Collars for Great Danes

    34

    Boutique Dog Foods: Killing our Wallets AND our Pets!

    This is a big one, and I’m sorry I’m going to ruffle some feathers here.

    I’m talking about those “Grain-Free”, “Natural”, “Human Grade”, “Holistic”, and “Super-Premium” Boutique dog foods.

    Before we dive in, here are some simple facts about boutique dog foods:

    1. They are quite often formulated by people who are grossly under-qualified to do so (for example, FROMM foods are formulated by a chemical engineer. Yikes!)
    2. The nutritional minimums outlined by AAFCO are simply met on paper, but the foods themselves are not actually subjected to legitimate feeding trials or ongoing research
    3. There is very little if any, actual research and science being put into the formulations; it’s all made up to appeal to dog owners
    4. The belief that they are of higher quality is perpetuated purely by dog owners, influencers, pet store reps that stand to profit, and people with no credible background in canine nutrition

    Every day expensive new “holistic” dog foods hit the market. It’s a huge money-maker and influencers, pet food reps and dog food companies all stand to profit.

    Many (though not all) of these boutique dog food brands are manufactured in the same facilities that make and pack other “super-premium” dog foods. It’s often the same thing, with a different label.

    Here are some common boutique dog foods:

    59937 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1614009109
    47654 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1510679604
    354071 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1639147663

    They use a lot of marketing to make you feel that you are making a healthy choice for your pet, including the addition of “fairy dust” to make the ingredients list look healthy. (Fairy dust is the addition of fruits and vegetables that are unlikely to add any nutritional value).

    These marketing terms are unregulated and meaningless:

    • Human Grade
    • Holistic
    • Super Premium
    • High-Quality
    • Family-Owned

    What is ingredient splitting?

    Ingredient splitting in dog food is the process of splitting one ingredient (example, peas) into multiple ingredients on the label to make the diet look better on paper.

    For example, let’s say you have dog food that contains peas. The peas may be split on the ingredients list into peas, pea protein, and pea fiber. This is done intentionally to make it more difficult to determine how much of each ingredient is present in the diet.

    Ingredient splitting can make dog food look like meat makes up the bulk of the kibble (by pushing the meat product to the first thing in the ingredients list), when really, what you are buying is an over-priced bag of meat-flavored peas. YIKES!

    DCM and Boutique Dog Food

    There is a known link between boutique diets and the incidence of secondary (nutrition-related) DCM that is actively being researched.

    DCM is a silent killer that often results in sudden death where no prior symptoms had been seen. For this reason, it is unfortunately grossly underdiagnosed.

    It’s not just secondary nutrition-related DCM, though. Chronic loose stools, itching, bone growth disorders, and problems with the liver, kidneys, or pancreas are common.

    Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists agree that “holistic” boutique diets, sold to us at higher prices using unregulated marketing terms, are harming our pets.

    8 Nutrition Facts to Keep Your Dog at the Right Weight

    8 Must Knows for Great Dane Nutrition

    Great Dane: Puppy vs. Adult Food

    What is Bloat?

    Should I Feed Grain Free?

    IMG 0416

    IS GRAIN-FREE FOOD DANGEROUS?

    Read more here ↗

    Designer Dogs with Designer Price Tags

    Enter the Great Danoodle. The Bernadoodle. The Sheepadoodle.

    Designer dogs are mixed-breed dogs, marketed to you as the perfect family pet that is “hypoallergenic”, “great with kids” and “easy to train”. This is a huge scam in the pet industry right now.

    Here is the truth about designer doodles!

    • Mixing two dogs together does not guarantee that you will get the best traits of each. That’s not how genetics work.
    • Poodles are high-energy, intelligent working breeds that require a lot of mental and physical enrichment. Doodle puppies who take on more of the poodle genetics are often the same. They may become aggressive, nippy, destructive, or neurotic when lacking appropriate training, socialization, and enrichment.
    • Poodles have a much different orthopedic structure than Sheep Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Great Danes. Breeding them together produces a mixed bag that can result in weak hips, roached backs, flat feet, and more.
    • Doodles are never bred from excellent breeding stock; no ethical preservation breeder will contribute their dogs to a mixed-breed doodle program.
    • Doodles are not hypoallergenic. They have a mixed coat type, each one is different, and some puppies will produce more dander and irritants than others.
    • They have intense grooming needs. Doodles require DAILY (yes, daily) brushing and regular trips to the groomer, which can run upwards of $125 or more every 4-6 weeks.
    • FUN FACT: Many groomers will no longer accept doodles because too many owners neglect their dog’s coat maintenance and then become upset when their doodle has to be shaved because of pelting and matting.
    • Very few, if any doodle breeders will fully health test the dogs they breed. Ethical testing would include doing all of the required tests on both parents, recommended by the respective breed club of each breed in the pairing.

    Why are Doodles so popular?

    Doodles have been made popular by, you guessed it, marketing and influencers! Look past the marketing before making a decision about purchasing a doodle for your family.

    Make sure that both breeds in the doodle mix have the temperament and coat type that you would want to live with, as your puppy could turn out either way.

    Off Color and Designer Great Danes

    Breeders: Shady Business

    What is OFA Health Testing?

    Is Embark a ‘Good Enough’ Health Test?

    Great Danoodle

    The Friendly Backyard Breeder in your Community

    We support and believe in ethical breeders.

    However, the average friendly backyard breeder is the biggest problem in the world of dogs right now!

    These breeders often do not know what they are doing, nor do they care.

    They mislead pet owners into believing they are ethical, and THAT is an issue.

    They will often have nice websites and adorable photos of puppies who appear to be well-cared for. You might hear them say that their dogs are ‘genetically clear’ or ‘vet checked and health tested’.

    These friendly backyard breeders, however, do not participate in full, proper health testing or screenings (choosing instead to cherry-pick one or two so they appear reputable). They don’t prove their dog’s structure or temperaments by obtaining titles and participating in the breed’s parent club, and many of them do not support puppy buyers for the life of their dog.

    For example, Great Danes should have hips, heart, eyes, and thyroid screened at a minimum, prior to breeding. A “friendly backyard breeder” may only do hips.

    These unethical breeders tend to breed dogs together based on their color or features, not because of temperament or correct structure.

    They will sell you a puppy who appears healthy, but may:

    • Be timid, shy, or even aggressive
    • Develop serious behavioral problems
    • Have problems with growth
    • Suffers from a poor orthopedic structure that could eventually lead to ACL tears or early arthritis
    • Die young from genetically linked disorders such as bloat, blood clotting disorders, DCM, or wobblers

    Don’t get scammed. Go through your breed’s parent club to find a truly responsible, ethical breeder.

    What is a backyard breeder? The AKC has 1000’s.

    Bad Breeders

    Scam Breeders: What to Look For

    Choosing a Dog From a Show Breeder

    134938850 695281657811797 8111659047787088021 n

    What other common scams in the world of dogs should we cover? Let us know in the comments below!

    And, don’t forget to share this post with your friends to help spread the word and keep everyone informed. After all, knowledge is power!

  • Dog Food: Puppy Large Breed vs. Adult for Great Danes

    Dog Food: Puppy Large Breed vs. Adult for Great Danes

    There is a big debate going on in the world of big dogs. People are very confused about whether they should feed their Great Dane puppy food or adult food! Large breed dogs such as Great Danes need specific nutrition that is designed for their explosive growth, size, and needs. I’m going to clear this up today with a research-backed discussion, so you know what to feed YOUR big puppy!

    In the world of Great Danes, there is a lot of misinformation about nutrition. Everybody has an opinion.

    It used to be said that you should always feed a Great Dane puppy an ‘adult’ kibble.

    The truth? A dog’s diet should change depending on its life stage!

    Spoiler alert: Science has allowed dog food manufacturers to change and update their formulations. This means that finally, large-breed puppy formulas are now ideal for Great Dane puppies!

    So today we are talking about the importance of large-breed puppy food for Great Dane puppies.

    We are going to discuss the difference between puppy formula and adult dog food. We will also talk about what type of diet is best for large-breed adult dogs and Great Dane puppies!

    dog food puppy large breed vs. adult for Great Danes

    BEST DOG FOOD PUPPY LARGE BREED FOR GREAT DANES

    Large breed puppies such as Great Danes are prone to a number of growth disorders that can be caused or worsened by an incorrect diet.

    Knuckling is a common developmental orthopedic disease that causes the puppy’s legs to ‘bow out. Other growth disorders include panosteitis, HOD, and hip or elbow dysplasia.

    Choosing the right large breed dog food for a Great Dane puppy is extremely important. Smaller breeds don’t have the same requirements, so if you are new to Great Danes it’s time to research!

    We believe that puppy foods are ideal for growing Great Dane puppies! Many large breed puppy foods are formulated with the growth of large dogs in mind and are appropriate for their brain, eye, joint, bone, and muscle development.

    Important note:
    Dog food manufacturers consider Great Danes to be ‘large breed’ dogs.
    We know they are ‘gentle giants’, but for the purposes of science, let’s stick with ‘large’!

    The most important factor to consider when choosing pet food for a large breed (such as a Great Dane) is the calcium and phosphorus ratios.

    Calcium should be at or below 1.4%

    Phosphorus should be slightly below calcium.

    271631 MAIN. AC SS348 V1631149304
    271628 MAIN. AC SS348 V1626396086
    90757 MAIN. AC SS348 V1635866197

    An example of an ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio to see on a bag of large breed dog foods is:

    Calcium (Ca) (Min) 1.1%

    Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.9%

    A properly balanced diet for large breed dogs will have a high-quality protein source (including meat and meat meals), omega fatty acids, probiotics, and balanced fat and carbohydrates to keep your puppy at a healthy weight.

    NOTE:

    Food with perfect calcium/phosphorus ratios can still cause growth problems!

    The correct balance of amino acids, protein, carbs, fat, and vitamins is extremely important, too.

    The special nutritional needs of Great Dane puppies have been addressed by dog food companies that have dedicated a lot of time, money, and effort to testing, research, and formulations.

    In other words, the advice of ‘no puppy food ever’ for Great Dane puppies is now considered dated and inaccurate, especially when you are considering science-backed kibbles such as Purina Pro Plan that are heavily researched and tested.

    Pet owners are not necessarily experts in nutrition, so it’s helpful to know that the dog food company you choose is extremely thoughtful, thorough, researched, up-to-date and diligent with your dog’s health.

    We recommend choosing a large breed puppy dog food that is formulated by a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist, from a company that has invested heavily in canine nutrition and health research.

    Ideally, the kibble you choose is also clean with quality ingredients from known sources.

    134938850 695281657811797 8111659047787088021 n
    Image credit: Dear Danes

    AAFCO GUIDELINES FOR DOG FOODS

    The dog food you choose for your Great Dane puppy should have one of the following AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements on the label.

    These statements will help you make a more educated choice about the actual balance and nutrition behind the large breed formulas being compared.

    Some minor variations in these statements are normal. Click any button on the left to see the AAFCO statement associated with each option for your Great Dane puppy.

    IDEAL: Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [THIS FORMULA] provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).

    MODERATELY ACCEPTABLE: [THIS FORMULA] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth of puppies and maintenance of adult dogs, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb or more as an adult).

    NOT ACCEPTABLE: [THIS FORMULA] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.

    QUESTIONABLE: [THIS FORMULA] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

    The following foods meet our guidelines for growing Great Dane puppies:

    271631 MAIN. AC SS348 V1631149304
    271628 MAIN. AC SS348 V1626396086
    90757 MAIN. AC SS348 V1635866197

    knuckling 8

    IS YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING?

    Check out our science-based and constantly growing knuckling resource page.

    KNUCKLING RESOURCES

    BENEFITS OF LARGE BREED PUPPY DOG FOOD FOR GREAT DANE PUPPIES

    Large breed dogs require specific nutrition that they will not get from small breed dog food.

    A good quality diet for a Great Dane puppy will have been specifically formulated with large breeds in mind.

    Healthy bones, healthy joints, healthy skin, and reducing the risk of growth disorders such as hip dysplasia and knuckling are just some of the considerations put into puppy kibble formulation.

    Nutrition + research for large breed dog food

    Puppy formulas from companies that are actively researching big dog nutrition and growth are most likely to have the correct balance of nutrients, proteins, fats, carbs, calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids for Great Dane puppies.

    What do veterinarians say about large breeds + nutrition?

    The veterinary community agrees! Large breed puppy dog foods are the best choice for growing giant breeds.

    Food formulated for Great Dane puppies has a slightly higher protein level and a more appropriate balance of fat and carbs than adult dog food. Not to mention the correct ratios of vitamin d, fatty acids, amino acids and probiotics.

    knuckling 16
    A puppy that is knuckling from being fed an incorrect diet.

    WHEN SHOULD A PUPPY TRANSITION TO AN ADULT FORMULA?

    When deciding what age to transition your big dogs’ diet from a puppy to adult formula, keep in mind that large breeds don’t reach maturity until they are around 18-24 months of age.

    While small breed dogs become adults much faster, large breeds are slow to mature and require a lot of time, excellent nutrition, and slow growth to reach peak health as an adult.

    Large breed dog food for puppies is formulated to promote slow and healthy growth in big dogs.

    Age ranges + food formulas

    A scientifically formulated canine diet will actually indicate the recommended age range for their foods. If the food company you have chosen understands their product, they can also tell you (through customer service).

    For example, Purina Pro Plan Large Breed food for puppies is food formulated to be fed to large breeds for the first 2 years of life! Other formulas are different and the nutrition is based on breed size and age.

    Fish oils, probiotics and the correct balance of nutrition slow down the growth rate and contribute to energy levels, bone development and healthy skin.

    These things matter a lot to a big dog, especially before large breeds fully mature! If you are surprised by all of this, keep in mind that small breed dogs mature so much faster, and that’s ok!

    Do not rush or force the growth of your puppy.
    Having the ‘biggest dog’ can mean having the unhealthiest dog!

    WHAT IS THE BEST FOOD FOR GIANT BREED DOGS?

    When looking for a large breed food, make sure that meat or meat meals are listed in the first ingredients. Probiotics and omega fatty acids are also important.

    You may notice ‘vitamin d’, riboflavin, biotin, and other important nutrients added as well. These necessary vitamins and minerals contribute to a balanced diet, although they may make the ingredient list look long!

    A dog food (puppy large breed) that is ideal for your growing Great Dane will typically say ‘Large Breed Puppy Food’ on the label.

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    In some brands, a comparable large breed food for adult dogs may be acceptable (in lieu of a puppy formula).
    Talk to your veterinarian and read the AAFCO statement on the label before making a purchase.

    A senior dog may benefit from a transition to senior dog foods, which will be labeled accordingly and may offer additional support for the kidneys, heart, joints, energy levels, and weight.

    If you have a small breed dog in your house, we recommend feeding a comparable small breed dog food if possible.

    Small breeds, like giants, have unique nutritional needs, and taking advantage of modern advances in science and nutrition is better for everybody!

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    DO LARGE BREED DOGS HAVE TO EAT LARGE BREED FOOD?

    Large breed adult dogs can technically be fed any ‘all-life stages’ food however they greatly benefit from large breed food that is formulated specifically for them.

    A pet’s health is often tied to their nutrition, so choosing the right pet food formula matters. A large breed dog needs more joint support than a small breed dog, and large breed dog food offers the correct balance of nutrients and supplements for their orthopedic needs.

    Adult Great Dane health problems

    A dog’s risk of developing arthritis increases as they age.
    Many Great Danes also gain weight once they have been spayed or neutered.
    Keeping your Great Dane at a healthy weight is a key element in increasing their lifespan and reducing their risk of painful joint problems!

    These are just some of the reasons why choosing a large breed dog formula for the correct life stage (puppy vs. adult) is so important: the correct formulation for each life stage will help maintain appropriate growth, overall weight and joint health.

    Unfortunately, not all dog food brands are created equal, and it can be difficult to know which one is best for your pet.

    The nutritional needs of a Great Dane puppy are different than the needs of an adult. It is so important to choose an appropriate, large breed, science-backed food formulated by credentialed professionals!

    Here are some great adult options for your Great Dane, once maturity is reached:

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    WHAT FOOD DO GREAT DANE BREEDERS USE?

    The American Kennel Club supports breeders and recommends that dog owners speak with their veterinarian when choosing a food for their large and giant breed dogs.

    Some breeders will recommend ‘Life’s Abundance’. You can read our blog post here on why we don’t consider this an appropriate, safe, ethical, or quality food.

    IS LIFE’S ABUNDANCE FOOD GOOD FOR GREAT DANES?

    The majority of breeders with the top show dogs in the world feed and recommend Purina Pro Plan formulas. Contrary to popular belief, Purina is not a low-quality food. It’s highly tested, extensively researched, and formulated by veterinary nutritionists.

    While ‘sweet potatoes’ and ‘whole grain brown rice’ may sound healthy, the truth is that they are both carbs which may throw the nutrition and balance off!

    Kidney disease, heart disease, allergies, weight gain or weight loss are just some of the problems with feeding a poorly balanced or incorrectly formulated food. This is especially true for senior dogs who need as much support as possible to maintain robust health.

    We believe that this is why it is so important to not make purchase decisions just on the ingredients list of the food.

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    WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT DOG FOOD LABELS?

    Dog food labels can be exceptionally confusing to dog owners. When you are in the pet stores searching for adult food or a puppy formula for your Great Dane, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of dog food ingredients and analysis.

    However, it’s also important to recognize that as a dog owner, you likely aren’t a nutritionist with a veterinary degree and advanced certifications (and probably don’t know anybody who is, either).
    Sales reps and staff at dog food stores generally lack reputable knowledge and education about nutrition as well.

    Reading the ingredients and analysis label can only give you a tiny picture of the information needed to make a decision about which large breed food to choose for your Great Dane!

    Look at science, then look at marketing

    Look beyond the marketing of the brand. The claims of ‘robust health’, ‘human grade ingredients’, ‘no recalls’ and ‘all natural’ are all there to make you buy the food.

    This list below from the WSAVA is a helpful guideline for choosing dog food!

    You’d be surprised how many pet food brands do NOT meet these guidelines, despite being marketed as ‘high quality’, ‘natural’, and ‘family owned’.

    (This information is helpful for owners of small breeds, too!)

    Treat training pouches for training your Great Dane!

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    The Olly Backcountry treat pouch for Great Danes
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    The Olly smaller treat pouch

    THE BEST LARGE BREED DOG FOOD FOR ADULT GREAT DANES

    Unlike large breed puppies, an adult large breed dog is not growing and has different nutritional and support needs.

    Adult formulas in general tend to be a lower calorie food with different vitamins, minerals and slightly different protein-fat-carb-fatty acids balance.

    We recommend choosing large breed kibbles that, as above, are scientifically formulated and backed.

    Your dog’s diet should be complete and fully balanced for their life stage. Keep toppers to a minimum (10% of less of the overall intake) to avoid creating picky dogs or causing your dog foods to become unbalanced.

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    Natural dog food for Great Danes

    If you are looking for a more ‘natural’ option for your large breed puppies or adult dogs, Just Food For Dogs makes an excellent topper. Fiber and fresh foods can also help reduce the risk that your large breed dog will develop bloat!

    A well balanced raw meat diet may also be appropriate for large breed dogs.

    This option is worth looking into for dog owners that are willing to do diligent research and have the time and freezer space for it.

    Large breed dogs that suffer from allergies and intolerances may thrive on a balanced raw diet; talk to your veterinarian!

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    IMPORTANT FDA ALERT ABOUT GRAIN-FREE KIBBLE AND HEART DISEASE IN GREAT DANES

    FDA officials are investigating possible links to diets for dog heart diseases. DCM is a devastating and often silent disease that many large breed dogs, including Great Danes are prone too.

    It is believed that poorly formulated and untested foods may be a contributing factor in dogs developing this heart condition, which often presents as sudden death before any symptoms are seen.

    Suspect dog food ingredients

    Some suspect ingredients in lower quality, untested large and giant breed kibbles include peas, lentils, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and garbanzo beans. When choosing your dog’s food, these ingredients are worth noting and asking a veterinarian about.

    Dog nutrition can be complicated, especially when manufacturers must put as much nutrition as possible into a user-friendly baked and extruded kibble product!

    DACVN & The Credentialed Veterinary Nutritionist

    For information about veterinary nutritionists and the advanced degrees and certifications available to veterinarians to advance their knowledge of food and formulations, check out these links below:

    Companies that do not have a board-certified veterinary nutritionist employed to formulate their large breed dog food kibbles are treading in dangerous water.
    Regardless of your stance on the grain-free vs. DCM debate, that’s an important take-away for anybody trying to choose a healthy kibble diet for their big dog or smaller dogs, too!

    Please visit this link if you want more information and to find out if your pet’s food is putting them at risk.

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    GREAT DANE FEEDING CHART

    Looking for more information on how much to feed a Great Dane puppy? Is free feeding or scheduled feeding a better choice?

    Read our famous ‘Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart’ post and learn more about choosing a kibble, how much to feed, raw meat diets, home-cooked diets, and more.

    AgeTimingAmount
    Puppies under 12 weeks3x/day2-4 cups/day
    Puppies 12-24 weeks old3x/day3-6 cups/day
    Puppies 24 + weeks (6 months) or older2x/day5-10 cups/day
    Puppies 12-18 months2x/day6-12 cups/day
    Adults 18+ Months2x/day4-8 cups/day
    These values are averages. Your pet may need more or less. Always talk to your veterinarian and use the manufacturer’s feeding chart as a guideline.
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