If you’re not familiar with the controversy behind DCM and dog food, now is the time to learn – especially if you consider yourself a loving and compassionate pet owner. DCM, short for dilated cardiomyopathy, is a disease that affects the functions of the heart. More specifically, DCM impairs the way the heart pumps blood, and without treatment, it can be deadly to pets.
DCM has been around for as long as veterinary medicine has, but the disease has been on the rise for the past several years. After extensive research on what could be causing this spike in the number of DCM cases around the world, research has come to the conclusion that dog food is to blame.
But dogs have been eating dog food since the beginning of time, so why more DCM in dogs all of a sudden? This is a question that might be ringing through your mind, and unfortunately, fingers are being pointed and blame is being passed. Many people are blaming the increase of DCM, to grain-free diets. But is this really to blame? The short answer is no.
In fact, grain-free dog foods can be extremely beneficial to canines, especially for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities. Grains are the main cause of food allergies, so switching out your dog’s current pet food with a grain-free alternative might just be the best thing you’ve ever done as a pet owner.
Many humans are undergoing a grain-free diet since there are certain health benefits associated with foregoing grains. Grains are known to contain high amounts of phytic acid, which means the human body has difficulty absorbing certain nutrients. Grain-free eating is common for many diet trends, including Whole 30, Keto, and Paleo. Well, guess what, canines can benefit from a grain-free diet as well.
Reasons to Switch to a Grain-Free Dog Food
It’s time to stop believing the negativity surrounding grain-free dog diets and start looking at the positive sides of going grain-free. Most of the hype on the topic of DCM and grain-free dog food is complete fiction, and there is no real data to back it up. Actually, research studies of the past have proven that DCM has absolutely nothing to do with diet at all. It’s all about genetics and always has been.
The School of Veterinarian Medicine at Cornell even says so: “The fact that canine DCM occurs at a higher incidence in specific breeds suggests a heritable genetic component to this disease…Breeds predisposed to DCM include the Doberman Pinscher, the Great Dane, the Boxer, and the Cocker Spaniel.”
Grain-free diets are beneficial to both humans and their furry friends. Cutting out the grains is the best way to deal with allergies and food sensitivities, but it does so much more than that. It gives canines more energy throughout the day, promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat, and can even cure bad breath. Grain-free dog food is completely safe, so it’s time to start looking at the facts and stop believing the fiction.
