The Food and Drug Administration, the government agency that monitors the quality of (animal) food in America, warned of a possible link between grain-free dog food and heart failure in dogs. What does this mean for your dog's food? We are happy to explain why you can give all Prins ProCare Grainfree products with confidence.
Heart failure in dogs
The heart condition in question is dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. "Dilated" refers to widening, "cardio" means heart, and "myopathy" stands for muscle disease. DCM is a heart muscle disorder in which the heart stretches, causing the heart muscle to lose its ability to function properly.
While DCM is typically a hereditary condition, it has also been observed in dogs without a genetic predisposition. Many of these cases involved dogs fed grain-free diets.
Why choose grain-free dog food?
Some dogs have sensitivities or allergies to grains. To accommodate these needs, grain-free foods use alternative carbohydrate sources, such as potatoes and legumes. Including carbohydrates in dog food is essential because they provide a clean and efficient source of energy. Carbohydrates are also crucial for creating properly pressed or extruded kibble.
Is a taurine deficiency the issue?
Initially, researchers suspected that the link between grain-free diets and heart failure was due to a lack of taurine, an amino acid essential for heart health. Taurine is found exclusively in animal products and can be added to dog food if necessary. Grains do not contain taurine, so their presence - or absence - does not directly affect taurine levels in the food.
Dogs are capable of producing taurine themselves, as long as their diet contains adequate levels of sulfur-containing amino acids. Therefore, the issue likely lies elsewhere.
Or does it have something to do with bile salts?
Taurine plays a significant role in the production of bile salts, which help digest fats. When dogs consume a high-fat diet, their bodies produce more bile salts. Normally, 95% of these bile salts are reabsorbed in the intestines and reused. This process relies on the dog consuming a highly digestible diet. The remaining 5% of bile salts, lost in the feces, can be replaced by the dog's own production.
The impact of legumes on digestibility and heart health
The primary issue seems to stem from legumes, commonly used in grain-free diets as a substitute for grains. Legumes contain a high amount of fermentable fibers, which can significantly impact food digestibility and nutrient absorption.
Research indicates that foods rich in fermentable fibers can hinder the absorption of bile salts in the intestines. This leads to more bile salts being excreted, requiring the dog to produce more. Over time, this increased demand for taurine may result in a deficiency, potentially contributing to the development of DCM.
The development of taurine deficiency
If only 90% of bile salts are reabsorbed instead of the usual 95%, a dog must double its bile salt production to compensate. In diets with high legume content, bile salt losses can reach 25%, forcing the dog to increase production fivefold. Even if the diet provides enough building blocks for taurine, not all dogs can meet this increased demand, which may lead to taurine deficiency and, ultimately, DCM.
The importance of a balanced diet
Prins ProCare Grainfree products are carefully formulated to ensure a balanced carbohydrate mix, including peas, potatoes, and potato starch. This approach keeps the level of fermentable fibers low, ensuring the food meets both nutritional guidelines and your pet’s specific needs.
Do you have any questions?
DCM, taurine, bile salts, legumes… it’s a complex topic, but an important one. If you have questions about the ingredients in our products or how they support your dog’s health, the Prins CareTeam is here to help.
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