Can diet cause enlarged heart in dogs?

Certain types of grain-free dog food seem to be involved, FDA says. Dogs fed "grain free" food based on peas, lentils or potatoes are developing an unusual condition that can cause an enlarged heart, the Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday. 5 авг. 2018 г. forbes.comImage: forbes.comSo far, the FDA report’s biggest finding is that nearly all dogs with DCM were fed grain-free diets. This suggests a strong link between grain-free foods and heart disease in these pets. The FDA hasn’t yet determined the exact mechanism for how the disease forms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified more than a dozen brands of pet food it says are most frequently connected to a spike in reported cases of heart disease in dogs. The FDA is continuing to investigate more than 500 reports of dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in dogs eating certain types of pet food.Causes of Enlarged Heart (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in DogsBreed dispositionLow thyroidProlonged arrhythmiasIschemiaAmino acid deficiencies (typically taurine and carnitine)ToxicityInfectionDogs fed "grain free" food based on peas, lentils or potatoes are developing an unusual condition that can cause an enlarged heart, the Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday. The condition, called canine dilated cardiomyopathy, is more common in certain breeds, but it’s turning up in breeds that are not usually susceptible, the FDA said.

What dog food is causing enlarged hearts?

The FDA is investigating more than 500 reports that appear to link dog foods that are marketed as "grain free" to canine dilated cardiomyopathy.Acana.Zignature.Taste of the Wild.4Health.Earthborn Holistic.Blue Buffalo.Nature's Domain.Fromm.FDA names 16 brands of dog food linked to canine heart disease

What causes a dog's heart to enlarge?

A dog's heart will expand in this way when it is unable to properly contract and push blood out from it and to the rest of the body. Blood accumulates in the heart and its pressure pushes at the outer walls and valves of the heart, expanding it and thinning its outer walls.

What can I feed my dog that has an enlarged heart?

Some balanced diets include Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Canine Cardiac, Rayne Clinical Nutrition™ Restrict-CKD™, or Hill's® Prescription Diet® h/d®. Your veterinarian will help you determine the most appropriate nutrient profile at each stage of your dog's heart disease progression.

What foods cause heart disease in dogs?

In August 2021, researchers from Tufts University published a study that indicated that peas may be a leading dog food ingredient contributing to a rise in diet-associated canine heart disease (DCM) in dogs.

Is there a link between dog food and heart disease?

potatoes. Topline: Amid an ongoing investigation by the Food and Drug Administration into a possible link between heart disease in dogs and “grain-free” dog food often including “legumes such as peas and lentils,” the FDA listed 16 pet food brands that have been named most frequently in its investigation.

What causes an enlarged heart in dogs?

Nutritional deficiencies in carnitine and taurine have been proven to factor into the development of an enlarged heart in dogs. As well, other factors such as infectious diseases and genetics can contribute to this condition’s development.

Can a grain-free diet cause an enlarged heart in dogs?

In recent years, veterinarians have been noticing an upsurge in cases of enlarged heart in dogs. Also called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), it’s a serious and often fatal heart condition. Many of the cases of DCM have involved dogs that were fed grain-free diets, suggesting that diet may play a role in this disease.

Can a dog's enlarged heart size go back to normal?

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can make a dog's enlarged heart size go back to normal. When the heart is not working well, the rest of the body pays the price and the dog ends up developing what's known as cardiac cachexia, a metabolic disorder causing progressive weight loss due to loss of muscle mass and fat stores.