On Monday, July 1, 2019 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)announced a list of sixteen brands of dog food that may be associated with a heightened risk of heart failure in dogs. The FDA isn't suggesting that pet owners stop feeding their dogs the particular brands yet, but some vets are already advising against "grain free" foods.
The FDAhas been warning about the foods based on peas, lentils or potatoes since July 2018, but the statement released late last week is the first time the agency has identified the 16 brand names.
The brands which are ordered by the number of cases linked to them, ranging from a high of 67 to a low of 10, are:
Acana
Zignature
Taste of the Wild
4Health
Earthborn Holistic
Blue Buffalo
Nature’s Domain
Fromm
Merrick
California Natural
Natural Balance
Orijen
Nature’s Variety
NutriSource
Nutro
Rachael Ray Nutrish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfVW68oJQjA
While the vast majority of cases have been in dogs, there have been some in cats. Lindsay Haake, a spokesperson for the FDA, said, “We’re not saying don’t use these brands, we’re just telling pet owners to work directly with their veterinarians because we’re still investigating.”
According to Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a veterinary cardiologist in the department of clinical sciences at the Veterinary College of Cornell University and associate director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, “What we don’t know is if [the foods] used in these diets in place of grains are causing the problem,” Kornreich said. “It’s also possible that could be some kind of toxin.”
It is recommended that if your pet dog is showing any symptoms of the heart condition, including decreased energy, cough or difficulty breathing, the FDA urges owners to contact a vet as soon as possible.
Read this FDA report.
Learn more.