FDA DCM Grain-Free Diet Report

• Posted on 5 July 2019
• By Dr. Jill Tack
• Posted in acana, Champion petfoods, DCM, earthborn, fda, fromm, grain-free diet, orijen, Propac, zignature
• 0

We at The Pet Beastro put a lot of background work into the selection of products we provide to you, our customers, to share with the animals we all love. Through science, diligent research, and our knowledge about pet nutrition, we carefully consider every brand we choose to carry at our store. In light of the recent concerns related to DCM and media articles of various regulatory reports, we reached out to the five brands we carry at our store for their feedback on how this issue relates to their specific products. We want to share this information with you in the spirit of knowledge and complete transparency. 

We at The Pet Beastro put a lot of background work into the selection of products we provide to you, our customers, to share with the animals we all love. Through science, diligent research, and our knowledge about pet nutrition, we carefully consider every brand we choose to carry at our store. In light of the recent concerns related to DCM and media articles of various regulatory reports, we reached out to the five brands we carry at our store for their feedback on how this issue relates to their specific products. We want to share this information with you in the spirit of knowledge and complete transparency.  

Champion Petfoods - Acana/Orijen

“On June 27, 2019, the FDA released an update saying that it is “continuing to investigate and gather more information in an effort to identify whether there is a specific dietary link to the development  of DCM.” More specifically, its update provides no causative scientific link between DCM and our products, ingredients or grain-free diets as a whole.

Our hearts go out to every pet and Pet Lover who have been impacted by DCM. We take this very seriously and will continue to work internally and with other industry leaders on research into the cause of DCM in order to help Pet Lovers understand the facts. Our own research and the millions of pets who have thrived by eating our food over 25 years have shown that Champion pet foods are safe.

DCM is a serious but rare condition. Of the 77 million dogs in the U.S., 0.5% to 1% have DCM, and of those dogs with DCM, fewer than 0.1% are speculated to have DCM related to diet, although that is not scientifically proven. In the recipes Champion makes, we emphasize fresh and raw meat with total animal-derived ingredients ranging from 60 to 85 percent of the finished product. Legumes are not a significant feature in Champion’s recipes and never have been.

Champion’s mission is to provide high-quality foods that are biologically appropriate and enhance the long-term health and well-being of cats and dogs and we carry out state-of-the-art nutritional research to ensure that our products remain that way. As Pet Lovers ourselves, everyone at Champion will continue our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards for ingredients and food safety. If you have any questions about DCM, please call our customer care line at 1-877-939-0006.”

Earthborn / ProPac 

“We have reviewed the FDA’s recent report regarding grain-free pet foods and a potential link to DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). This report does not provide any scientific findings linking nutrition and DCM. Rather, FDA is simply attempting to gain more information as part of its evaluation process. Congenital heart disease has been recognized in 0.56% to 0.85% of dogs for many years (Detweiler and Patterson, 1965). The report only touches upon the genetic or congenital prevalence of the disease, hinting that the disease may have a nutritional component without suggesting a nutritional solution. It has been recognized that taurine, an amino acid, may be helpful for dogs with the full onset of DCM. Since their introduction, we’ve fortified our grain-free recipes with taurine, amino acids, and L-Carnitine as prudent nutritional considerations. Midwestern Pet Foods’ utmost priority is to provide safe, high-quality nutrition. Our recipes are created by a board certified animal nutritionist (Ph.D.), use only FDA permitted ingredients and make nutritional claims permissible by the FDA. Additionally, our recipes closely follow FDA sanctioned nutrient profiles published by AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials).

We take the nutrition and health of pets very seriously. We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that our products are safe and nutritious.

Grain-Based Options:

Earthborn Grain Based: Adult Vantage & Ocean Fusion & more coming
Venture: Pollock is completely Legume Free
Pro Pac & Wholesome have many Grain Based options.”

Fromm 

“As you may be aware on June 27th, 2019, the FDA issued an updated press release with a summary of their ongoing investigation into the potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Fromm, along with many other pet food manufacturers, is listed as one of the pet food brands included in complaints filed by pet owners with dogs or cats diagnosed with DCM.

The FDA investigation acknowledges that the potential association between dietary characteristics and DCM is complex and may involve multiple factors outside of diet alone including genetics and metabolism. While the complexity of DCM and other metabolic factors makes it difficult to substantiate causation to specific diets, ingredients, or ingredient interactions, we take this matter seriously and will continue to monitor all information as the FDA investigation progresses.

Fromm’s dedication to the health and nutrition of animals has been the bedrock of our brand since 1904. Since 1949, we have been producing complete and balanced foods for dogs. At times, this includes the supplementation of essential amino acids in addition to the vitamins and minerals needed for balanced nutrition. In regard to taurine deficiency and the potential for increased risk of diet-related DCM, all From recipes, including both grain-free and grain-in, are supplemented with taurine. Additionally, all of our foods contain ample levels of cysteine and methionine which dogs use to metabolize their own taurine. 

We empathize with any pet parent and their beloved pet who may have experienced the hardship of coping with DCM health-related issues. As always, we will remain vigilant in monitoring FDA communication and potential findings related to DCM and other possible health issues. Our team of customer service professionals are at the ready to address any concerns you or your customers may have.”

Zignature 

“We want to thank our global family of Zignature pet parents and retailers for your incredible support over these past five days. 

As pet parents like you, we are passionately committed to making the highest quality, most nutritious, and safest pet food on the planet. Our goal and devotion is to continue to formulate the world’s safest pet food products that help pets with common food sensitivities, remain nutritionally strong, and provide a path for pets to be their happiest and healthiest.

Since our founding in 2010, our meticulously designed diets are formulated by Zignature’s thought-leading team of veterinarians, Ph.D. animal nutritionists, and food scientists. 

Our goal is to ensure we help your canine companion avoid common food sensitivities and keep them safe. To achieve this, we remove common food-sensitive ingredients from our formulas such as chicken, corn, wheat gluten, soy, and potatoes. We further add vital supplements such as antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and an exclusively designed custom vitamin and mineral pack. 

All formulas are thoroughly tested and researched.

We conduct years of rigorous research and testing on all products before they are available to the public. This includes ongoing tests on blood metabolites- including whole blood and blood plasma taurine levels, as well as palatability trials, stool quality tests and digestibility trials. This allows us to formulate the safest and most nutritious pet foods out there today.

Recent studies by Summit Ridge Partners Labs, an industry leader in pet food testing, reveals Zignature provides a healthy and appropriate level of Taurine 

Our most recent studies performed by an Industry leader in pet food testing for over 30 years (providing accurate, reliable, and precise research expertise) reveals that Zignature provides a healthy and appropriate level of Taurine through its meticulously designed formulas.

While taurine has always been included in our diets, new studies have shown that extra taurine is important for dogs’ cardiovascular health. Zignature further supplements all of its diets with extra taurine and L-Carnitine, providing some of the highest levels of taurine available in the industry. 

Please see attached image of blood taurine test results.

Blood Test General Conclusion Statement

Body weights, food consumption, and stool quality appeared normal throughout the study. During the study the group mean whole blood and plasma taurine levels increased or stayed the same from Day 0 to Day 28. Whole blood and plasma taurine values for each dog were within optimal reference ranges while the animals were consuming the diet. 

We have great confidence in our naturally sourced grain-free diets.

As we continue to have great confidence in our naturally sourced grain-free diets that meet the needs of dogs with food sensitivities, we want to provide an additional line developed by our expert formulation team that is a nutritionally sound and grain-inclusive recipe, with oats and quinoa. Trout & Salmon Meal Recipe, Lamb Recipe and Turkey Recipe will be our first three formulas we launch in the coming months. We will add more Recipes as you ask for them. 

We feel, as a partner to our pet parents, it is important for us to listen and understand our valued extended family’s needs and offer a variety of pet foods that satisfy your four-legged family member’s needs.

We will continue to invest heavily in pet food testing and research to do whatever it takes to keep your pet safe

This company was founded out of a passion and commitment to pet health and we care deeply about animals. 

We continue to invest heavily in our own research to ensure we continue to make the safest and highest quality pet food on the market today to keep your dog safe and healthy. If you have any questions about our formulas or anything else, we encourage you to reach out to us directly at [email protected] so we can connect you with one of our resident expert pet nutritionists or veterinary research scientists to discuss together.” 

More Information 

On Sunday, July 14th at 11 AM, The Pet Beastro will host a roundtable session that will be broadcast via Facebook Live Video to provide an opportunity to discuss this DCM issue with you, what we know, and our thoughts on the situation. 

Until then, feel free to call us at 248-548-3448 or stop in and we will be happy to discuss with you more personally.