Does your dog whine and paw at you when you eat? Do they bring you their empty bowl after they have already eaten? Are they successful in convincing you that they are starving even though you’re feeding the “right amount”? If your answer is yes, then you are not alone. So many pet parents are convinced their dogs are starving and can’t help themselves but to give them a treat, snack, more at meal time, or even an additional meal during the day. Not only is this reinforcing negative behavior, but it is contributing to obesity, metabolic disease, and is likely unnecessary.
A 42lb dog has a stomach capacity of 64 ounces! It would take 29 slices of Pizza Hut Thin and Crispy Pepperoni pizza to fill that belly up! Could you imagine a 42lb child eating that much pizza? That is A LOT of food! You would never give your dog that many pieces of pizza. Dogs do not need to completely fill their stomachs to get the nutrition they need. That doesn’t stop some dogs from thinking that’s how much they need.
If you were feeding that same dog Solutions Beef Recipe, you would have to give 8 pounds twice a day to fill their stomach to capacity. If you are feeding the correct amount, though, to support their health and longevity, you would only give about 1.5 cups a day. Therefore, the amount of food your dog wants is likely nearly 10 TIMES MORE FOOD THAN IS NEEDED! Can you imagine what that would cost in a month?! … or how much poop you’d have to pick up?
Hopefully, understanding this fact helps you fight the urge to overfeed. There are consequences to feeding too much:
Extra weight on a dog can cause metabolic disease including cancer and diabetes.
When feeding a high protein food overfeeding can actually cause weight loss… we know it’s weird and we’ll discuss why in another post. It’s important to know that overfeeding a food like Solutions can actually make your pet too skinny, just like body builders which eat high protein in order to get “cut” for competitions.
Severe bloat or diarrhea, as well as, gas can be a result of overfeeding/obesity. Bloat is life threatening.
Obesity is extremely hard on the joints. As dogs get older, they need support in this area even if they are an appropriate weight. Extra weight can make for an uncomfortable way of life for your dog.
Please use our calorie calculator to find the right amount of caloric intake your dog should have each day. Try not to fall prey to the guides you see on bags and cans of pet food. They will undoubtedly tell you to feed entirely too much food.
If your dog is just a pest no matter how much you feed, consider trying these methods to increase the time it takes to eat instead of increasing how much you’re giving:
Put the food in an enrichment mat (e.g. SodaPup, Messy Mutt Mat, Lickimat, etc)
Put the food on a Mine Pet Platter or smear it over a cookie sheet
Freeze a small amount of food into a marrow bone, dried or raw trachea, the bottom of a slow feeder bowl, in a stuffable toy (e.g. West Paw Toppl, SodaPup Can Toy, Tall Tails Pinecone, etc)
Feed smaller amounts, more often
Add low calorie, healthy, bulky additions such as broccoli (~8.5kcals/oz), organic oats (~100kcals/1cup, hydrated), Zucchini (~5kcals/oz), etc.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
I’m sure you have seen many calculators or guides online or on pet food packages that tell you how much you should feed your dog. I can assure you that 99% of them will tell you to feed too much food. I’m allowing 1% because I know there are some good companies out there trying their best and have truly put a lot of effort into getting this right. Why would they tell you to feed too much? I’m sure you have already figured out that they sell pet food, therefore if you feed more than you need, then you will need to buy more, sooner. More sales, more profits!
We’ve even seen laboratory analyses of popular brands that indicate that the calories in the product may be as much as 20% higher than the package indicates. In addition to that, they suggest that you feed an average of 25% more than your pet needs. That means you could potentially be feeding as much as 45% more food than is healthy for your pet! No wonder we have such an obesity problem in pets.
So how do you figure out how much you should feed your pet? We are here to help you with just that. If you use the tips below, you should be feeding your pet an appropriate amount of food.
All dogs, in general will start with this range:
0-50lbs
200 calories per 10 pounds of body weight (= (dogs weight) x 20 ….…. e.g. 38lbs x 20 = 760kcals/day)
51-75lbs
175 calories per 10 pounds of body weight (= (dogs weight) x 17.5 … e.g. 69lbs x 17.5 = 1,207.5kcals/day)
76-110lbs
150 calories per 10 pounds of body weight (= (dogs weight) x 15 …… e.g. 94lbs x 15 = 1,410kcals/day)
111lbs+
100 calories per 10 pounds of body weight (= (dogs weight) x 10 ……e.g. 124lbs x 10 = 1,240kcals/day)
(You will find the calories on your pet food packaging or website. Most of the time it is directly on the package. It will be listed as “kcals” which is the same as calories.)
You may be thinking, “why would my big dog need fewer calories than a small dog? I’m not feeding less!” Pets and other animals tend to need fewer calories per pound as they get bigger. For example, if a hummingbird were 150lbs it would need about 155,000kcals/day. If an elephant were 150lbs it would need only 700kcals/day. Similarly, larger breed dogs have slower metabolisms and need fewer calories per pound of body weight than smaller breed dogs.
There are also additional factors to consider when calculating calories for your pet. Some of the questions we like to ask are:
How old is your pet?
Puppies under 14 months of age need about 25% more calories per 10lbs of body weight than an adult.
A senior (any pet that is over 75% of their expected lifespan) needs about 15% fewer calories per 10lbs of body weight than an adult.
Is your pet spayed or neutered?
Pets that are fixed have lower metabolisms.
A pet that is not spayed or neutered usually need about 15% more calories than a pet that is fixed.
Does your pet need to gain or lose weight?
Just like with humans, increased or decreased caloric intake will alter body composition.
Increasing or decreasing caloric intake by 10% can help your pet gain or lose weight.
Is your pet active?
The more exercise your pet gets, the more calories they need, and visa versa.
An inactive pet (<30 minutes of activity/day) should have their caloric intake decreased 10% from the average dog (30-90 minutes of activity/day).
An active dog (>90 minutes of activity/day) needs a 10% increase in calories.
An extremely active dog (>2 hours of activity/day) needs an increase in 25% in calories per day.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and not everyone fits into an “average.” If your pets’ caloric needs seem vastly different than the average it may indicate a medical problem. Feel free to reach out to us or your local vet (if your vet understands caloric intake math. If they don’t you may just ask them about your pets thyroid health, PLE or EPI).
Here is an example for you.
Harley is a 22lb terrier. This is a good weight for Harley.
22 (lbs) x 200 kcals/10lbs/day = 440kcals/day base
She is 9 years old (small dogs live up to 20 years old, so she’s not a senior yet).
No caloric adjustment necessary
She is not particularly active. She goes to the dog park once a week to chase her frisbee.
Reduce the caloric base by 10% because she classifies as sedentary. 440 x 0.9 (90% of the total) = 396kcals/day
She is spayed.
No caloric adjustment necessary because this is the standard.
Harley needs 396kcals/day.
We hope this helps you with calculating the right amount of calories for your pet. Please also note that feeding too many calories can cause your pet to have soft stool or diarrhea. Be sure to monitor this.
Do you think sugar when you hear the term carbohydrates? If you don’t, then you should. The majority of Carbohydrates turn into sugar in the body. You would be amazed at the amount of sugar in popular bags of kibble. Yes, even the expensive, veterinarian recommended brands like Science Diet and Royal Canin.
As humans, we need to monitor our sugar intake and dogs are no different. Would you be surprised to know that even “Super Premium” Recipes of Dry Dog Food can have 50+% carbohydrates (AKA Sugar)? Most things are not dangerous when fed in moderation. However, when you feed a cup of kibble to your dog, and nearly half of that turns into sugar in the body, we are increasing the risks of metabolic diseases including cancer. Nearly half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop some sort of cancer. As the use of carbohydrate rich kibble products increases, so too do disease rates! We can’t ignore the correlation.
Did you ever notice that Carbohydrates aren’t even listed on your pet’s food label? Why is that, you may ask? There are a couple of reasons.
Regulators and scientists agree that there is no nutritional need for carbohydrates the diet of cats or dogs. As a matter of fact, “carbohydrates” are not even defined in the AAFCO official handbook or any State Law.
Companies that utilize large amounts of inexpensive carbs in their products don’t want to draw attention to that fact. If you see “64% carbs” on a label you might think twice before buying it. But if you see, instead, “Protein – 20%, Fat – 5%, Fiber – 1%, Moisture – 10%” you are unlikely to even notice that it doesn’t add up to 100%. You are even less likely to think, “the difference must be carbohydrates because those aren’t listed.” In summary, you’re easier to trick if they just don’t draw attention to it at all!
All that being said, how do you know how many carbohydrates are in a bag of food? Since it’s not required to be listed on your pet’s food you have to calculate the percentage on your own. Don’t worry! It’s very easy to calculate.
Take a look at this example Guaranteed Analysis. This is where you will find everything you need* to figure out the carbohydrate percentage.
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein
24.0% min
Crude Fat
14.0% min
Crude Fiber
5.0% max
Moisture
10.0% max
Calcium
1.0% min
Phosphorus
0.7% min
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
0.5% min
Omega 6 Fatty Acids
3.0% min
Glucosamine
400 mg/kg min
So here is the formula:
Add the following together: Protein + Fat + Fiber + Moisture
In this example it would be 24 + 14 + 5+ 10 = 53
(All products below “moisture” are micronutrients, aka Vitamins and Minerals, which are contained within macronutrients. Therefore, they are already calculated in the protein, fat, fiber and moisture)
Take that total and subtract it from 100.
100 – 53 = 47
This particular food has 47% carbohydrates!!! That is insane because that means that nearly half of your pets food is comprised of a macronutrient that scientists and regulators say that your pet DOESN’T NEED! In other words, if you purchased that product for $100, $50+ of it is wasted!
*The only thing that is not listed is Ash. Sometimes its listed and sometimes it isn’t. If you want to be more precise, you can assume its 6% for a dry product and 3% for a wet product. Alternatively, you can call the company and ask them for this percentage.
I would also recommend watching this video. Its Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib talking about popular food brands and how much sugar they have. It’s a nice visual for the topic of sugar in food. The Unknown Sugar in Pet Food
Regenerative Agriculture is a holistic land management practice that produces healthy microbe-rich soil for healthy plants, animals, humans and the environment. Regenerative Farms work to be an active part of the solution through regenerative and sustainable practices based on science. They are soil doctors first and foundationally, potentiating everything above with more opportunity for health. Circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis that with healthy soils comes phytochemical richness and this change to herbivore diets enhances biochemical richness of meat and dairy, which is linked with human and environmental health.
The dog’s microbiota — the community of microscopic organisms on and in his body — likely influences a tendency toward health or disease, including, but not limited to, the following conditions: allergies, obesity, diabetes, dental disease and gingivitis, dermatitis, cancer, arthritis, and cognitive decline and disease. Modern hypothesis states that exposure to healthy soil can help restore a dog’s ancestral microbial communities and therefore enhance his overall health.
Healthy soil is highly biodiverse; one gram, ¼ teaspoon, may contain 10 billion microbes, and 2,000 to 50,0002species per gram, though some studies estimate as many as 10,000,000.3 Healthy soil is clean, not treated with herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and sustainable, preferably produced on polyculture farms through Regenerative Agriculture methods. Modern farming methods cannot support soil health.
The canine ancestral environment was full of microbe-rich soil. Starting at birth, soil-based microbes colonized every canine environmental niche, externally and internally. Today, most puppies are born inside, in a radically different environment often full of harsh cleaning chemicals, antimicrobial soaps, and the accompanying indoor microbes that thrive in such environments. Many puppies may never play in soil until they get to their new homes, if then. They are not exposed to their ancestral microbes.
Just as we find that most dogs are healthiest when they consume their ancestral diets, we think they are healthiest when they have their natural — ancestral — microbial populations. Dogs co-evolved with the trillions of microbes that are in and on their bodies. The dogs who possessed the greatest harmony between their genes and the microbes to which they were exposed were the fittest and most successful. From a Darwinian perspective, the canine genes selected for were those that fit best with the microbes in the dogs’ environment.
I’m excited to collaborate with Solutions Pet Products. Their mission to support Regenerative Farms, soil health and education align with mine.
– Natasha Lilly, DVM, CVA – Co-owner of the Royal Animal Health University, the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies, and RISObiotics
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating grain-free diets is a hot topic in pet news right now. Many pet parents feel concerned, confused, frustrated and even a little misdirected right now. The implication is that pet foods that don’t contain grains are in some way missing a vitally important nutrient, Taurine, and that this inadequacy is resulting in life threatening disease.
Is it really the case that because a food doesn’t contain grain it is nutritionally inadequate? Or are pet parents being fooled by Big Kibble to feed inexpensive kibbles, rich in grains? There are a few factors to consider when determining your pets risk of developing diet-induced DCM.
Regulatory Inadequacy or Product Inadequacy? Who is to blame?
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is responsible for providing pet food manufacturers with guidelines to help them determine the nutritional adequacy of their products. In 1975, when there was a DCM epidemic in cats fed grain-laden kibble foods, AAFCO decided not to make any nutritional suggestions or requirements for Taurine supplementation in canine diets, even though they recognized the need for adjustments in feline diets. Other clinical diseases caused by Taurine deficiency included feline central retinal degeneration, dilated cardiomyopathy, reduced reproductive performance, and growth, motor and immune disorders. (HAYES et al., 1975; PION et al., 1987). (7)While DCM has not been linked to dietary inadequacies in dog food, no research has been done prove that dietary inadequacies are not the cause either. Rather, science chalked up this disease to “genetics” alone. To date, data regarding any potential increases in DCM prevalence is sparse. It is becoming clearer that while some breeds may be more genetically equipped to endure a lifetime of nutritional abuse, less-adept breeds (Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds and Saint Bernards) consuming grain-rich dry kibble foods regularly developed DCM before grain-free options were available.
The important thing to remember, though, is that all manufacturers of grain-Free and grain-containing pet foods are in compliance with AAFCO nutrient requirements. There continues to be no requirements for any manufacturer to add not only Taurine to canine diets, but also Methionine or Cysteine, its dietary precursors. Ultimately, the primary source of this problem, then, is regulatory failures. Is this the only cause of DCM though? And how can you protect your pet if no pet food is required to contain this protective nutrient?
Well then, is it even true that dogs fed grain-free diets are developing DCM?
Yes, but historically most dogs diagnosed with DCM consume diets that contain grains. Comparative studies have not yet been finalized to determine if there is any increase in risk of DCM in pets fed grain-containing or grain-free foods. (1) Current FDA reporting clearly states that an equal number atypical dog breeds (that do not have a genetic propensity to develop DCM) recently diagnosed with DCM have not been found to be Taurine deficient. This implies that perhaps Taurine is not the issue, or at the least, not the ONLY issue that pet owners need to be concerned about regarding AAFCO’s nutritional adequacy recommendations in processed kibble food products. (2)
What is causing this?
No one knows yet! However, it has been proven that DCM can be caused by taurine deficiency, carnitine deficiency, methionine/cysteine deficiency, genetics, infectious disease, chemotherapeutic toxins, and immunological cellular damage. (3) Other theories propose that the fiber or sugars (polysaccharides) in the GI tract are blocking taurine absorption or that anti-nutrients called lectins (also found in grains) are a contributing factor. (4)The assortment of potential causes makes it difficult to determine dietary risk as compared to environmental or genetic risk.
Do foods that contain grains ever cause Taurine deficiency?
Yes. The Grain-Free pet food “trend” began in 2012. (5) However, a 2010 study on 775 dogs diagnosed with DCM referenced DCM trends in dogs as far back as 1982, 30 years before grain-free diets were available. (6)
What about Raw Diets? How likely are they to cause DCM?
A study published by the Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis (7) determined the following Taurine trends in animal feed products:
– Animal muscle tissue, particularly marine and turkey, contain high taurine concentrations.
– (All) plant products (fruits, veggies, grains, soy, nuts, seeds, and tapioca) contained either low or undetectable amounts of taurine. Processed kibble diets contain between 30-90% non-meat ingredients. Whether your pets’ food contains grains or grain-free alternatives, these Taurine deficient binding ingredients all dilute the naturally-occurring Taurine found in meats. Raw pet foods, however, do not require (or generally add) significant amounts of non-meat products and do not contain binders that dilute necessary Taurine.
– The amount of taurine that remained in a feed ingredient after cooking depended upon the method of food preparation – with no Taurine loss in raw meats, and significant losses in baked or boiled meat products. All processed pet food products must be heated, which ensures that naturally-occurring Taurine levels are inadequate. How adequate can feeding fresh, raw food be for your pet?AAFCO’s highest Taurine requirement for cats is .5g/1000kcal. RawLean Beef (one of the most inadequate sources of naturally occurring Taurine) was shown to contain 1% more Taurine than AAFCO’s highest nutritional taurine requirement. (8)
– There is a broad range of taurine concentrations between meats of varying quality, species, environments and processing methods. Cost conscious pet food manufacturers commonly use Mechanically Deboned Meats (MDM) and Meat Meals in products. AAFCO’s minimum Taurine requirement for cats is .25g/1000kg. MDM/Meat Meals provide 38% less Taurine than AAFCO’s minimum feline standard, and that’s prior to processing that contributes to additional Taurine loss. (8)
Seventeen years ago, in 2001, scientists stated, “From an evolutionary standpoint, taurine was plentiful in the diet of a true carnivore, as high concentrations of taurine are found in the muscle tissue. However, as most domesticated felines normally do not consume living prey, they are at risk to become taurine deficient if not adequately supplied in the diet…. However, nutritional paradigms have been recognized to result in taurine deficiency in dogs. In many cases, taurine deficiency was also associated with dilated cardiomyopathy.”(7) (BACKUS et al., 2001)
What about synthetic supplementation of Taurine? Is that a safe and/or adequate option?
Yet another regulatory failure … synthetic Taurine manufacturers are not required to produce studies to determine tolerance, metabolism and residue, and toxicological effects (concerning consumer safety). (9) Therefore, supplementation of synthetic Taurine to grain-containing and grain-free diets is questionably safe.
One brand of a “Cardiac Support” dry kibble (rich in grains) contains 0.18% Taurine. (10) AAFCO requires 0.1% Taurine in Cat Foods, so this dog food meets AAFCO feline standards. (8) However, feeding a kibble product still runs the inescapable risks of feeding kibble or canned that are listed below:
1) AAFCO does not require supplemental carnitine, methionine or cysteine (found naturally in fresh, raw meats) which are precursors to Taurine conversion
2) Kibble and canned foods are cooked and processed (lending it to further nutrient losses)
3) Binder ingredients, such as Brewers Rice, Soy Protein Isolate and Powdered Cellulose do not contain Taurine and dilute the Taurine content in meats.
4) Binder ingredients contain lectins, fibers and polysaccharides that may inhibit Taurine absorption or conversion.
Considering that no commercially available dog food is required to add Taurine or its amino acid constituents, and the safety of synthetic Taurine is questionable, the best way for Pet Parents to protect their pets from disease conditions caused by nutrient deficiencies or inhibiting ingredients is to place their trust in nature, not regulators. AAFCO has proven again that their knowledge of nutrient requirements in pets is as inadequate as their recommendations, and sadly this has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of animals in the decades AAFCO has been in existence. Nature, however, continues to provide safer, more adequate and more comprehensive nutrients than AAFCO in the form of fresh, raw, whole foods… and we didn’t even have to ask!
Ethoxyquin – This chemical preservative is equally toxic to Arsenic and has been linked to acute renal failure, tubular necrosis, organ weight loss or gain, genetic mutations and death. (1,2,3)
Menadione – also known as Vitamin K3 and more toxic than Arsenic, Menadione’s chemical registration states it is “not for human or veterinary use,” is “harmful if swallowed,” and it is linked to reproductive damage, tumor growth and cancer. (3, 4, 5, 6)
Dyes & Colors, including Caramel – Synthesized from coal tar, petroleum and other chemicals using acids, hydroxides and/or phosphates, these carcinogenic, allergy inducing aesthetic ingredients are minimally researched and usually contaminated with high levels of heavy metals. (7,8)
“Animal” or Poultry Digest – This “material” is digested with Carboxylic Acid (which has no toxological research), Potassium Hydroxide, Pancreatin or Pepsin is derived from unspecified parts of unspecified animals. (9, 10)
Animal Fat – If the type of animal is known it must be listed on the label – therefore, this fat source of unknown origin is rendered (generally meaning it was rejected for human food consumption due to contamination or concerning quality) and can legally be anything from tallow to restaurant fryer grease. (11)
Propylene Glycol – This chemical ingredient is largely used in antifreeze, may cause allergic dermatitis, and causes Heinz Body Formation which reduces the lifespan of red blood cells in cats. (12, 13)
Soybean Oil – As defined by AAFCO, this oil must be “composed chiefly of (damaging) triglycerides,” and it has been noted as a cause of obesity, diabetes, and heart and liver damage. (14, 15, 16)
Poultry or Beef By-Products – These bottom-of-the-barrel ingredients are inferior to profitable by-products such as bully-sticks. They NEVER contain “meat” and are “rejected for human use” due to contamination from disease-causing bacteria, chemicals, or due to aesthetic concerns (e.g. rotted meats). (17, 18)
Corn Gluten Meal – This by-product of ethanol/biodiesel production is an EPA registered chemical that is generally manufactured with GMO, pesticide-ridden corn and processed with yeasts, antibiotics, toxic chemicals such as sulfur and chlorine dioxide, liquid urea, diammonium phosphate, anhydrous ammonia, and corn steep liquor. (19, 20, 21)
BHA, BHT – These preservative chemicals are linked to kidney, lung, liver and genetic damage and cancers at only 61ppm (Arsenic is toxic at 763ppm). (3, 22, 23)
Meat and Bone Meal – If the manufacturer knows what kind of animal the “meat” is from they must state it on the label – this unidentified source of by-products (brain, horns, scrotum, snout…), “can’t be used in animal feed unless (it is) heat-treated and further processed,” and is high in phosphorus and pepsin indigestible residue. (18, 24)
Sodium Selenite – This mineral, intended to provide Selenium, is more than 100x more toxic than Arsenic, it is “not thoroughly investigated,” and is noted to cause salivation, tremors, alopecia, vomiting, dermatitis, paralysis, and behavioral changes. (3, 25, 26)
There is no direct correlation between Taurine deficiency and DCM based on current FDA information.
Almost all of the dogs that tested high in Taurine were diagnosed with DCM, while only a little over half of those that tested low in Taurine were diagnosed with DCM.
Most breeds only had 1-3 dogs’ records submitted. (To be clear, this analysis is only on pets that had their Taurine levels tested (whole blood or plasma or both). This is a total of 179 pets (3 of which were cats). This is a much smaller number than was used in their “don’t use grain free foods” document (560 – according to this document only 349 even had their medical records reviewed (62% of pets referenced in the “study”) and only 179 had their Taurine levels tested (32%)).
Only 19 necropsies were performed, meaning that the severity of disease and definitive diagnosis has only occurred in 3.4% of pets analyzed. Some necropsies evidence that assumed “heart disease” was actually not DCM.
At the end of the report they state that they will recheck Taurine levels 2-6 months after switching diet. It’s important to remember that these tests will be done after the supplementation of synthetic Taurine and heart medication as well. Low Taurine levels would then be a failure of the medication and supplementation as well. Further, elevated Taurine levels, as seen by this analysis, does not decrease the risk of the development of DCM of other heart diseases.
Important take-away, “Dogs that eat grain-free, AND dogs with DCM, do not always (or even normally) test low in Taurine.”
Pets with “Low” Taurine levels:
Total number – 84 (46.9% of all pets that had their Taurine levels tested were “low” in Taurine)
WITH DCM – 53 total. Therefore, 63.1% of all pets that tested “low” in Taurine had DCM. This is 39.8% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 29.8% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES – 21 total. This is 25% of all pets that tested “low.” This is 67.7% of all non-DCM cases. This is 11.8% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NORMAL HEART – 10 total. This is 11.9% of all pets that tested “low.” This is 71.4% of all normal heart cases. This is 5.6% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
Pets with “Normal” Taurine levels:
Total number – 52 (29% of all pets that had their Taurine levels tested had “normal” Taurine levels)
WITH DCM – 38 total. Therefore, 73.1% of all pets that tested “normal” in Taurine had DCM. This is 28.6% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 21.3% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES – 10 total. This is 19.2% of all pets that tested “normal.” This is 29% of all non-DCM cases. This is 5% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NORMAL HEART – 4 total. This is 7.7% of all pets that tested “normal.” This is 28.6% of all normal heart cases. This is 2.2% of (560) all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
Pets with “High” Taurine levels:
Total number – 29 (16.2% of all pets that had their Taurine levels tested had “high” Taurine levels)
WITH DCM – 28 total. Therefore, 96.6% of all pets that tested “high” in Taurine had DCM. This is 21% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 15.7% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES – 1 total. This is 0.34% of all pets that tested “high.” This is 2.9% of all non-DCM cases. This is 0.5% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NORMAL HEART – 0 total
Pets with “Mixed” Taurine levels: (Whole Blood and Plasma were both checked with results showing one high or normal and another low or normal)
Total number – 6 (3.4% of all pets tested were “mixed” in blood and plasma Taurine)
WITH DCM – 6 total. This is 100% of all pets that tested “mixed” in Taurine. This is 4.5% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 3.4% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES – 0 total.
NORMAL HEART – 0 total.
Pets with “Unknown” Taurine levels: (Taurine test was done but results are “unknown” for an unknown (unstated) reason)
Total number – 8 (4.5% of all pets tested were “unknown” in Taurine)
WITH DCM – 8 total. This is 100% of all pets that tested “unknown” in Taurine. This is 6% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 4.5% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.
NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES – 0 total.
NORMAL HEART – 0 total.
How each breed rates:
– Mixed Feline – A total of 3 cats were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. Two tested “low” in Taurine and 1 tested “high.” All were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Australian Shepherds/Mixes/Mini’s – A total of 4 were referenced, or 2.2% of all animals analyzed. 1 tested “low” in Taurine, 1 tested “normal” in Taurine, and 2 tested “high” in Taurine. All were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Australian Cattle Dog – A total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. Both tested “high” in Taurine. Both were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Akita – A total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “high” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Basenji – A total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “high” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Beagle/Mixes – A total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. Two of these dogs tested “high” in Taurine and one tested as “unknown.” All were diagnosed with DCM.
– Blue Heeler Mix – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Bluetick Coonhound – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Boxer/Mixes – a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. Two of these dogs tested “low” in Taurine and one tested “mixed” in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Boston Terrier – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “normal” in Taurine and the other tested “high” in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Bulldog Mix – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “normal” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Catahoula Leopard Dog – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “mixed” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Chesapeake Bay Retriever – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “unknown” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Chihuahua – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “normal” in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% non-DCM)
– Cocker Spaniel – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. These dogs both tested “low” in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Collie/Smooth & Rough – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “low” in Taurine and was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM), the other dog tested “high” in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (50% DCM & 50% non-DCM)
– Corgi – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% non-DCM)
– Coton de Tulear – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Doberman/Mix – a total of 9 were referenced, or 5.1% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested “low” in Taurine and were diagnosed with DCM. 7 tested “normal” in Taurine, 5 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 2 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (22.2% DCM & 77.8% non-DCM)
– English Setter – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “unknown” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– French Bulldog – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “low” in Taurine, the other tested “high” in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Golden Retriever/Mixes – a total of 59 were referenced, or 33.1% of all animals analyzed. 39 dogs tested “low” in Taurine, of those 22 were diagnosed with DCM, and 23 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 13 dogs tested “normal” in Taurine, of those 5 were diagnosed with DCM and 8 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 1 tested “high” in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (47.5% DCM & 52.5% non-DCM)
– Great Dane/Mixes – a total of 11 were referenced, or 6.2% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested “low” in Taurine, 4 dogs tested “normal” in Taurine, 4 dogs tested “high” in Taurine, and 1 dog tested “mixed” in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– German Shepherd/Mixes – a total of 7 were referenced, or 3.9% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “normal” in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. 4 dogs tested “high” in Taurine, two of which were diagnosed with DCM and 2 of which were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 2 dogs tested “mixed” in Taurine and were diagnosed with DCM. (71.4% DCM)
– German Shorthaired Pointer – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “normal” in Taurine and one dog tested “unknown” in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Hound mix – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “normal” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Labrador Retriever/Mix – a total of 12 were referenced, or 6.7% of all animals analyzed. 6 dogs tested “low” in Taurine, 4 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 2 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 5 dogs tested “normal” in Taurine; all were diagnosed with DCM. 1 dog tested “high” in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (83.3% DCM & 16.7% non-DCM)
– Maltese – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Mastiff – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “high” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Miniature Schnauzer – a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “normal” in Taurine, one tested “high” in Taurine and one tested “unknown” in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Newfoundland mix – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “normal” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Pitbull/Staffordshire Terrier/mixes – a total of 12 were referenced, or 6.7% of all animals analyzed. 5 of these dogs tested “low” in Taurine, 4 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 1 was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 3 dogs tested “normal” in Taurine, 2 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 1 was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 2 dogs tested “unknown” in Taurine and both were diagnosed with DCM. (66.7% DCM, 33.3% non-DCM)
– Pomeranian – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “unknown” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Pug – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “high” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Rhodesian Ridgeback mix – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “low” in Taurine and one tested “normal” in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Samoyed – a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. All 3 dogs tested “low” in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Poodle/mixes – a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested “low” in Taurine and 1 dog tested “normal” in Taurine. All 3 dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Shetland Sheepdog – a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. All 3 dogs tested “normal” in Taurine. 2 dogs were diagnosed with DCM and 1 was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (66% DCM & 33% non-DCM)
– Shih Tzu – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “normal” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Standard Schnauzer – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Viszla mix – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Wirehaired Pointing Griffon – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “low” in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% DCM)
– Wheaten Terrier/mix – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested “low” in Taurine and was NOT diagnosed with DCM. The other dog tested “normal” in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (50% DCM & 50% non-DCM)
– Whippet – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “normal” in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% DCM)
– Welsh Terrier – a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested “normal” in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Yorkshire Terrier – a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested “normal” in Taurine and 1 dog tested “high” in Taurine. All 3 dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
– Unknown Crossbreed – a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. 1 dog tested “high” in Taurine and 1 dog tested “unknown” in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)
Its important to identify the root cause of allergies to prevent acute imbalances from turning into chronic diseases. Simply avoiding aggravating ingredients and exposures or suppressing symptoms with drugs allows imbalances to continue – often resulting in diseases such as cancer.
There are several reasons for allergic reactions beyond the scope of sensitivity to specific ingredients.
Microbiome Imbalance (often caused by antibiotic use, inorganic foods, chemical exposure or consumption, etc)
Allergy tests are a snapshot of a single moment, like a selfie, which isn’t necessarily representative of what the system always look like. If, for example, your dog walked through a field that was just sprayed with Glyphosate they are likely to be more reactive to foods because their system is aggravated that day. If you do allergy testing it’s only valuable if you regularly test to establish trends over time.
The most common allergy stimulating ingredients are Chicken (some other poultry…. About 85% of dogs, in my experience, that are allergic to poultry are NOT allergic to other poultry), Chicken Eggs, Wheat and Wheat derivatives, Corn and Corn derivatives, Soy and Soy derivatives, and Rice, and Barley.
However, quite literally any ingredient can cause issues. Sometimes the issue with an ingredient is around its production – for example, synthetic minerals are inextricably contaminated with heavy metals. Extruded kibble products are manufactured with phthalate-rich machinery lubricants to protect the extruder from heat. Glyphosate is often used to desiccate lentils, potatoes and grains.
If you’re looking to attempt to make your own pet food, so you have more control over individual ingredients (and you have the time and money to source well), you must purchase the Animal Diet Formulator to ensure you’re getting the correct balance of nutrients and not unintentionally creating issues. Without a program to analyze nutrient levels your homemade diet is guaranteed to be deficient in Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium, and Manganese and is likely to be deficient in B-Vitamins, Iron, Zinc and Copper. You may also contact any manufacturer directly and ask them details about their sourcing and processing to determine if you’re capable of doing a better job for less money.
Alternatively, Raw Goat Milk or Raw Cow Milk (preferably A2) function as complete diets when fed correctly (just like breast feeding an infant). Giving 1oz per 10lbs of body weight per day these can function as a vitamin, mineral, amino acid, enzyme, protein supplement for homemade or incomplete diets.
Contact us for information about supplements to use to safely resolve these imbalances once you have identified them.
A Purine is a part of the bases adenine and guanine which are constituents of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) which, when fully broken down in the body form uric acid and xanthine, theobromine (stimulant in chocolate) and caffeine. Purines provide part of the chemical structure of virtually all genetics and are, therefore, naturally found in almost all cells and foods. Certain foods (primarily high protein) contain concentrated levels of purines. This is why high protein foods increase uric acid/ammonia production, sometimes leading to gout in humans. New purines are synthesized in the body’s own genetic matrix and they may also be consumed in high levels in the form of high protein foods or in low levels in the form of certain vegetables (which do not affect the uric acid production in the body). Purines are then broken down and excreted, through a longer process than this chart shows, via the Uric Acid cycle, which is different in dogs and cats than it is in humans.
Foods with very high purine levels(up to 1,000 mg per 3.5 ounce serving):
What’s good and bad about Purines and the Uric Acid Cycle?
Again, Purines break down into Uric Acid which, as a matter of fact, is an antioxidant that assists in preventing damage to our blood vessel linings and is a powerful scavenger of singlet oxygen, and free radicals, making it one of the major antioxidants of plasma that protects cells from oxidative damage, thereby contributing to an increase in life span of our species and decreasing the risk for cancer. However, when humans consume excessive levels of purines (proteins) or xanthines (caffeine) excess uric acid is produced and at least among modern Homo sapiens, a high level of uric acid is strongly associated and in many cases predicts development of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, visceral obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, diabetes type II, kidney disease and cerebrovascular events. In general, we want purines in our diet.
Uroliths in dogs and cats
Clinic Review Articles, Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice “Urology” by Joseph W. Bartges, July 2015, pg 27, states under the section for Purines and Urates that, “most information concerning urate uroliths is derived from dogs, with little information available for cats.” While, “Urate is the third most common mineral found in uroliths in dogs and cats, … and the second most common urolith, occurring in dogs and cats less than 1 year of age (infection-induced struvite is the most common urolith ….” “Urate uroliths form when urine is oversaturated with urate and usually ammonium. These uroliths form because of liver disease (usually a portosystemic vascular shunt) or because of an inborn error of metabolism resulting in hyperuricosuria… more common in dogs and cats less than 7 years of age.” This document goes on to show that when affected pets are switched from dry kibble foods to low purine canned diets, about a 30% resolution rate is seen WHEN COMBINED with allopurinol medication every 12 hours. Liver surgery is the treatment of choice for liver shunts. No mention is made of the fact that the pets were switched from dry kibble to canned diets and the increase in moisture in the food could be a contributing factor in the resolution of the issue. A protein-restricted alkalinizing diet has been shown to have greater than 90% reduction in uroliths, though the moisture content of diet is not mentioned and no supplementation was attempted. (1)
Purines and HUMANS
A U.S. National Library of Medicine scientific article states that, “Uric acid is a final enzymatic product in the degradation of purine nucleosides and free bases in humans and Great Apes. The pathway of purine catabolism in humans is shortest among vertebrates because about 8–20 million years ago during primate evolution the activity of urate oxidase (uricase, is an enzyme catalyzing conversion of uric acid to allantoin) was lost in a two-step mutation process. In other mammals, the last enzymatic product of purine degradation chain is allantoin, which is excreted in the urine. As a consequence, humans have to cope with relatively higher levels of uric acid in the blood (200–400 μM) and are prone to hyperuricemia (formation of urinary stones) and gout.” It can be assumed that the reason for this evolutionary alteration is because Humans and Apes are evolved to eat primarily fruits, not meats(2) and therefore should have no need for an additional step to assist uric acid elimination. Uric acid levels in the blood can be increased by the breakdown of purines in conditions such as excessive protein consumption, muscle wasting, necrosis, anemia, epilepsy, recurrent infection and other conditions, all of which the body may not be able to keep up with uric acid elimination needs. When uric acid accumulates monosodium urate crystals can deposit in tendons, joints, kidneys, and other organs. This accumulation of uric acid crystals is called gouty arthritis, or simply “gout.”
Purines and DOGS
Hyperuricosurie is a disease characterized by the formation of uric acid stones in the urinary tract. The end product of purine catabolism is Allantoin except in Humans, Apes and ALL Dalmatian breed dogs. The Dalmatian breed, like humans, has lost the ability to resorb uric acid due to a mutation in urate transport protein, yet other breeds have not. This makes Dalmatians more prone to uric acid stone formation if they are eating a high protein/purine diet or suffer metabolic cannibalism diseases. It is believed that this genetic mutation was the result of intentional breeding patterns for more distinctive spotting patterns on the Dalmatian. It is possible for other breeds (Bulldog, Black Russian Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Retriever, Parson Russell Terrier, South African Boerboel, Weimaraner, Big Munsterland Pointer, German Shepherd) to have this same genetic mutation, but it is not common. Dalmatian mixed breeds and other breeds appear to tolerate purines and uric acid levels appropriately. (3) Hyperuricosuria is an autosomal recessive inherited disease caused by single nucleotide exchange of c.G563T in SLC2A9 gene (gene for urate transport) that will develop only in dogs that inherited the mutation from both parents. (4) Therefore, unless the dog is a Dalmatian or has a rare genetic mutation they can tolerate high levels of Purines from food and/or illness. For Dalmatians and dogs with the SLC2A9 mutation see below for supplemental options.
Purines and CATS
The differences between the physiology of the Feline compared to that of a dog or human are numerous. Among other differences, cats have an essential requirement for high levels of dietary protein and amino acids. Cats need significantly higher levels of dietary nitrogen because they don’t conserve nitrogen as well as other species. Cats have no ability to utilize unsaturated fats without supplemental arachidonic acid. They require dietary Vitamin D (pork, free run poultry, fish) as they can’t get it from the sun. Since Taurine is an amino acid that is primarily free floating in tissues, cats fed cooked proteins (where the taurine has leached out in the process of cooking) tend to be deficient in Taurine. Plant proteins such as soy or cheese do not contain taurine. Cats also have virtually no ability to tolerate glutamic acid found in vegetable proteins. High levels of glutamic acid (vegetable protein) in a cats body often results in sporadic vomiting and thiamin deficiency.
Feeding a low protein diet to a feline does not decrease their enzyme activities for metabolizing amino acids. Rather a low protein diet causes the Feline body to digest its own proteins for survival, a conditional called muscle wasting, where amino acid destruction continues despite dietary restrictions. As a result of being an obligate carnivore (meaning their bodies will not adjust to digesting plant proteins even if that is all that is fed) their metabolic pathways to breakdown by-products of protein are far different than those of herbivores and omnivores.
Cats require high levels of the amino acids arginine (found in meats, fish stock, diary or spirulina), ornithine (found in meats, cheeses, eggs and spirulina), and citrulline (melons) for appropriate uric acid cycle functioning and elimination of uric acid buildup in the body. Cats can convert arginine to citrulline utilizing high levels of ornithine transcarbamylase, they do not get citrulline from their diet. Therefore, if their diet does not contain sufficient levels of arginine and ornithine, citrulline levels will be inadequate and uroliths (crystals/stones) and/or hyper-ammonemia (buildup of ammonia) will develop. (5) For a deeper understanding of the obligatory high protein/purine needs of felines and their relationships with arginine, ornithine and citrulline see “Nitrogen Metabolism and Excretion,” published 1995, pg 154, by Patrick J. Walsh and Patricia Wright. (6) In summary, the only reason that a cat wouldn’t be able to tolerate high levels of purines is if the diet is inappropriate. Even in the case of muscle wasting changing the diet should resolve the problem.
What do I do about Purines in my pet on a high protein diet or with a medication condition?
Plaintain herb contains allantoin which may be useful in supplementing insufficient production of allantoin in the excretion of uric acid and ammonia. (9) This could be useful for Dalmatians, dogs with genetic mutations, pets with metabolic cannibalistic conditions such as excessive exercise, anemia, necrosis, muscle wasting, recurrent infection, and epilepsy. Elemental Provisions can provide this in powder for or you can find it in Honest Kitchen Perfect Form in lower levels.
Raw Goat Milk and Cow Milk Kefir – Dairy foods contain purines and actually appear to lower our risk of uric acid buildup caused by meat protein consumption. (7)
In the rare event that a dog is incapable of tolerating purines boiling high-purine foods in water can cause break-down of the purine-containing components and eventual freeing up of the purines for absorption. For example, in some animal studies, where rats were fed cooked versus non-cooked foods, the animals eating the cooked version experienced greater absorption and excretion of purine-related compounds. On the other hand, when foods were boiled, some of the purines were freed up into the cooking water and became lost from the food (because the water in which the food was boiled got discarded after cooking). From this evidence, the exact opposite conclusion would make sense: cooking of high-purines reduces the purine risk. When it comes to the moderately high-purine vegetables like asparagus or peas or spinach, there is no reason for you to avoid them in raw form, provided you keep your portion sizes down and your total portions within your practitioner’s guidelines. (8)
“Confounding variables and lack of controlling for independent variables can
introduce bias and suggest a correlation when none exists.”
Incidence of heart disease:
“Despite no definitive correlation for grain-free diets or their ingredients to DCM, some veterinary cardiologists and researchers are recommending pet owners switch their dogs to grain-based diets, without exotic protein sources and avoiding boutique brands. Yet, others state there is insufficient evidence-based research on whether diet is the cause for the subjective claims.”
Requirements for an effective review of data:
Sampling bias* – “Regardless of what diet the dog is eating, asking the veterinary community and the public for DCM cases in dogs only eating grain-free or exotic protein diets will result in sampling bias.”
Diagnostics** – “Echocardiography is necessary to definitively differentiate DCM from other cardiovascular diseases. It is important to note that a normal ECG does not rule out the presence of DCM, as most arrythmias are intermittent and have high day-to-day variability.”
“In 2018 a longitudinal study was noted for having one of the largest sample size populations that assessed taurine concentration in Golden Retrievers. … (implemented treatments included) a diet change, administration of supplemental taurine, with or without L-carnitine, inotropic agents, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers. Despite inconsistencies, the study concluded that taurine supplementation could slow down the progression of DCM in dogs fed commercial diets. Since not all dogs received the same treatment, determining which variables had any
75% of cardiovascular disease in dogs is chronic degenerative valve disease
The 2nd most common cardiovascular disease in dogs is DCM
0.5%-1.3% of all dogs suffer from a form of cardiovascular disease
“A review of the current literature reveals gaps within DCM studies in dogs,including:
– Sampling bias,*
– Inconsistencies in sampling parameters, – Confounding variables,
– Lack of complete data for case studies in DCM, and
– Known genetic predisposition in certain dog breeds.”
Additional, generally unmet, scientific requirements include:
– Knowledge of the incidence
– Clinical manifestations, complete medical records (identify confounding variables)
– Diagnostics**
– Potential treatment required and
standardization of treatments (diet,
supplements, pharmaceuticals) provided
– Knowledge of duration of previous diet – Use of a single laboratory for analyzing blood parameters to prevent the use of
different reference ranges
– Analysis of one variable at a time
correlations to these improvements can be challenging if not impossible.”
Scientifically proven contributing factors to the development of DCM and Heart Disease:
“Prevention of non-inherited cases of DCM is difficult in most cases,
as arrhythmias, infectious disease, and hypothyroidism are not preventable.”
Hypothyroidism and Endocrine Disease – “Thyroid hormones regulate key proteins involved in positive cardiac ionotropy and chronotropy. Clinically hypothyroid dogs may have decreased systolic function, low QRS voltages, weak apex beat, and sinus bradycardia due to poor hormone regulation. Thus, hypothyroidism can lead secondarily to DCM.” Large amounts of “spinach, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, soybeans, strawberries, sweet potatoes, peaches, pears, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, canola, cauliflower, mustard greens, radishes and rapeseed have properties that suppress the function of the thyroid gland, increasing the risk of hypothyroidism.”
Myocarditis (Infectious/inflammatory insults) – “Myocarditis in humans and dogs is commonly viral in origin. Myocarditis is reported in cases infected with Parvovirus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Bartonella, Trypanosoma cruzi, Neospora caninum. In many cases of suspected myocarditis, the source of infection is not identified.”
Genetics – Dystrophin (DMD) in German Shorthair Pointer’s, Striatin (STRN) in Boxers, Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 (PDK4) and a locus on chromosome 5 in Dobermans
Elevation of Cardiac Troponin-I (cTnI) as seen in Doberman Pinscher research.
Chronic Tachycardia/ High Arrhythmic Load –“results in increased oxygen demand, decreased myocardial blood supply, loss and eccentric hypertrophy of myocytes, abnormal calcium handling and reduced ATP production.”
Results of laboratory analysis done by Know Your Pet Food, an initiative of Paws for Change, found the following Amino Acid results in five (5) randomly selected consumer accessible dry kibble dog foods:
Natural Balance (grain-free) – Lowest in Cysteine/Taurine, #2 in Methionine
Purina Pro Plan (grains) – Highest in Cysteine and Methionine
Royal Canin (grains) – 2nd lowest in Cysteine, Moderate in Methionine
Taste of the Wild (grain-free) – Mod. Cysteine, 2nd lowest in Methionine V-Dog (Vegan, grains) – 2nd highest in Cysteine, Lowest in Methionine
Methionine & Cysteine Deficiency – “these Sulphur containing amino acids are used to synthesize taurine. Deficiencies of these amino acids may occur from poor bioavailability of ingredients, degradation during high-heat processing (as is done with most kibble and canned pet foods), or failure to add sufficient supplementation to a diet. One study demonstrated that dogs eating diets containing such as animal “meals” (rendered meats), turkey, whole grain rice, rice bran or barley had low plasma methionine and cysteine concentrations.”
Choline deficiency – “As a methyl donor, choline is important for the regeneration of methionine from homocysteine. When choline stores are deficient, the capacity to methylate homocysteine to methionine is diminished resulting in increased plasma homocysteine concentration. Elevated homocysteine concentrations are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in humans.”
Taurine deficiency – “While Taurine is not currently considered an essential amino acid in dogs, it is considered an essential amino in cats. This is due to cats having a lower activity of cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase affecting the biosynthesis of taurine. Studies evaluating if taurine should be considered an essential amino acid in dogs have not been conclusive. Studies have found that breeds that are predisposed to DCM often have normal taurine concentrations, indicating that taurine was not contributing to the development of DCM. Currently, studies suggest that there may be breed-specific taurine concentration reference ranges and that one range cannot be applied across all breeds. Certain breeds are more associated with taurine-deficient DCM than others.”
Carnitine deficiency – “Carnitine is … synthesized endogenously in the liver. Carnitine assists in the transport of long chain fatty acids from the cytosol to the mitochondrial matrix; once inside, it undergoes beta-oxidation to generate energy. Roughly, 60% of the total energy production for the heart is through beta-oxidation. Carnitine also plays an important role in the buffering of toxic levels of acyl CoA in the mitochondria to allow beta-oxidation to continue. Therefore, deficiency in carnitine could cause cardiac dysfunction leading to cardiac diseases, including DCM.
Results of laboratory analysis done by Know Your Pet Food, an initiative of Paws for Change, found the following mineral/heavy metal results in five (5) randomly selected consumer accessible dry kibble pet foods:
(Products tested were as follows – Purina Pro Plan Chicken/Rice (contains grains), Royal Canin GI Low-Fat (RC) (contains grains), Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream (TOTW) (grain-free), Natural Balance Sweet Potato/Fish (NB) (grain-free), V-Dog Vegan (contains grains))
Selenium – All of the products tested contains Sodium Selenite. None of the dry kibble products tested contained detectible levels of Selenium.
Copper deficiency – “Copper is necessary in the production of hemoglobin, myelin, and melanin, as well as maintaining the strength of blood vessels, epithelial tissue and connective tissue. Thus, deficiency in copper can have detrimental implications for cardiac function. The effects of copper deficiency range from anemia, CHF, myocardial necrosis, calcification, and cardiac hypertrophy. Research into relative copper deficiencies which could be caused by excessive dietary zinc or iron and the correlation with potential copper deficiency and cardiac health in dogs.”
Scientific literature notes that iron intake in excess of 60mg/kg can result in severe toxicity and lead to severe morbidity and mortality in humans (AAFCO indicates that no studies have been done in dogs).
Therefore, toxic levels of iron were found in as little as 1.8oz of Natural Balance (1/2 cup) to 9.4oz of Purina (2 ¾ cups).
Iron Toxicity – Ho-Wang Yuen; Wenxia Becker, 2020
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459224
Vitamin E and Selenium deficiency – “Vitamin E works with the selenium-containing enzyme, Glutathione Peroxidase, to scavenge free radicals & prevent oxidative damage to polyunsaturated fatty acids. Dogs with DCM have significantly lower vitamin E concentrations and reduced glutathione peroxidase, which is involved in cysteine synthesis when compared to healthy dogs. Selenium is more available in its organic forms, seleno-cysteine & seleno-methionine, rather than the inorganic form, selenite. Selenium deficiency increases the occurrence of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy in mice exposed to both virulent and avirulant Coxsachie virus due to reduced glutathione peroxidase. Thus, glutathione peroxidase may protect against virally induced cardiac inflammation because reactive oxygen species may enhance viral replication.”
Copper –
AAFCO requires a minimum of 7.3mg/kg of Copper Purina Pro Plan – 18mg/kg
Royal Canin – 16.5mg/kg
Taste of the Wild – 14mg/kg
Natural Balance – 31.5mg/kg
V-Dog – 24.5mg/kg
No tested products were deficient in Copper. However…
Zinc/Iron –
AAFCO requires a minimum of 80mg/kg of Zinc
AAFCO requires a minimum of 40mg/kg of Iron
Purina Pro Plan –
Zinc = 257mg/kg (3.2x min), Iron = 224mg/kg (5.6x min) Royal Canin –
Zinc = 242mg/kg (3x min), Iron = 281mg/kg (7x min) Taste of the Wild –
Zinc = 170mg/kg (2x min), Iron = 1,200mg/kg (30x min)
Potassium deficiency – “decreased potassium intake can induce a taurine depletion that can contribute to cardiovascular diseases in cats. 50% of cats provided diets sufficient in supplemental taurine, but deficient in potassium, still developed DCM and thromboembolisms while those fed sufficient potassium did not.”
V-Dog –
Zinc = 170mg/kg (2x min), Iron = 301mg/kg (7.5x min)
Heavy Metals – “Since Taurine detoxifies heavy metals, there is an increase in the demand, which may result in a taurine deficiency. More specifically, taurine depletion can occur during arsenic-induced cardiomyocyte viability, reactive oxygen species products, intracellular calcium, and apoptotic cell death. Taurine has also been observed to reduce cadmium-indices damages in murine hearts and hypothalamus. A similar effect is exhibited in rats with taurine and its hepatoprotective effects against mercury toxicosis.”
160ppb
Cadmium – Purina – 58ppb, Royal Canin – 84.7ppb, TOTW/Natural Balance – 52.9ppb, VDog – 66.2ppb Mercury – Purina and VDog – Not Detected, RC/TOTW/ NB – Detected under 10.7ppb
Results of laboratory analysis done by Know Your Pet Food, an initiative of Paws for Change, found the following results in five (5) randomly selected consumer accessible dry kibble pet foods
(Products tested were as follows – Purina Pro Plan Chicken/Rice (contains grains), Royal Canin GI Low-Fat (RC) (contains grains), Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream (TOTW) (grain-free), Natural Balance Sweet Potato/Fish (NB) (grain-free), V-Dog Vegan (contains grains))
Purina Pro Plan – (grain containing diet)
Carbohydrate – 45%
Fiber/Ash – 5.94% (stated maximum = 3%) Protein (includes vegetable/filler protein) – 32.22% (max 0.7oz “meat” per cup)
Fat – 11.01% (stated minimum = 14%)
Phytic Acid (antinutrient) – 5566mg/100g (5.6%)
Royal Canin GI Low Fat – (grain containing diet) Carbohydrate – 59%
Fiber/Ash – 6.39% (stated maximum = 3.6%) Protein (includes vegetable/filler protein) – 21.59% (max 0.4oz “meat” per cup)
Fat – 4.21% (stated minimum = 4.5%)
Phytic Acid – 3837mg/100g (3.8%)
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream – (grain free diet) Carbohydrate – 47%
Fiber/Ash – 7.02%
Protein (includes vegetable/filler protein) – 27.08% (max 0.6oz “meat” per cup)
Fiber/Ash – 9.73% (stated maximum = 4.5%) Protein (to include all vegetable/filler protein) – 20.7% (stated minimum = 21%)
(max 0.4oz “meat” per cup)
Fat – 7.48% (stated minimum = 10%)
Phytic Acid – 6289mg/100g (6.3%)
VDog Vegan – (grain containing diet)
Carbohydrate – 53%
Fiber/Ash – 7.8% (stated maximum = 5%)
Protein (to include all vegetable/filler protein) – 25.35%
(while this product should contain 0% meat, beef protein was detected in one lab analysis, likely due to cross-contamination)
Fat – 6.25% (stated minimum = 9%)
Phytic Acid – 5898mg/100g (5.9%)
Excessive Levels of Insoluble Fibers – “The GI tract has been identified as the primary location where sulfur-containing amino acids are metabolized… it has been demonstrated that certain dietary fiber, such as non-starch polysaccharides, are relatively nonfermentable and have anti-nutritive effects. This can lead to a decreases in sulfur-containing amino acids and result in nutrient deficiencies, such as taurine or carnitine.”
“(One) study hypothesized that diets, which were formulated to meet AAFCO requirements, may not actually be meeting the dogs’ nutritional needs due to fiber’s negative effect on nutrient absorption. Fiber can also influence fermentation by products from microbes in the hindgut and hinder reabsorption of taurine, even if taurine is biosynthesized in sufficient amounts. For example, fiber in the form of unrefined cereals, legumes, nuts, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables can reduce the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins”
Tofu-based Diets – “While (tofu is) lower in protein, AAFCO requirements for protein were met. Tofu is made from soybean cure, which is low in sulfur-containing amino acids, devoid of taurine and may have contributed to the cause.”
Low-Protein Diets Designed for the Management of Urate Stones – “this may be due to low protein diets being low in essential and nonessential amino acids or vital precursors for carnitine and taurine synthesis.”
Cassava (tapioca) and cyanide – “Cassava is known to accumulate cyanogenic glycosides, cyanide. When cyanide is consumed, it is converted into thiocyanate, which requires sulfane sulfur from sulfur-containing amino acids during detoxification. There is an increased demand for sulfur containing amino acids during detoxification. This can limit the availability of sulfur-containing amino acids used to biosynthesize taurine and carnitine.”
Popular brands that use Tapioca (Cassava) – Nature’s Variety Instinct, Merrick, Eden, Petcurean Go!, Nutri Source, Earthborn Holistic & Zoic
Phytic Acid can bind to necessary minerals and block enzymes, leading to digestive trouble or mineral deficiencies. Mineral deficiencies can result in pain syndromes similar to fibromyalgia. Despite some potential antioxidant properties, it is recommended that intake is limited to 100-400mg per day.
Of the 5 kibble products tested by Know Your Pet Food, Phytic Acid levels averaged 5,321mg per cup of food.
https://www.integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/ – Phytic Acid – Top Reasons to Avoid this Anti-Nutrient
Where FDA publications have failed the public and vets:
“The use of the acronym “BEG” (Boutique, Exotic, Grain-Free) and its association with DCM are without merit because there is no definitive evidence in the literature…it is impossible to draw any definitive conclusions… linking specific diets or specific ingredients to DCM.”
“Descriptors of pet foods implicated to have a subjective association with DCM are diets with specific characteristics, such as, but not limited to, containing legumes, grain-free novel protein sources and ingredients, and smaller manufactured brands. However, an exhaustive review of the literature provides evidence of conflicting information. For example, boutique diets, defined as produced by a small manufacturer, have been implicated in association with DCM. However, when the FDA report is broken down into which pet food manufacturers made the called-out diets, 49% of the brands listed were made by one of the six largest pet food manufactures in North America. Given that almost half of the brands listed on the FDA report on June 27, 2019, are not manufactured by boutique pet food companies it is unlikely that an association can be made to DCM.”
Breeds prone to DCM regardless of diet:
DCM in dogs is more prevalent in males than in females
DCM is also a disease of middle aged to older dogs
Doberman Pinschers Irish Wolfhounds
Great Danes
“The FDA … lists the top seven proteins of the implicated diets: chicken, lamb, salmon, whitefish, turkey, beef and pork. These comprised 75% of the diets named in the FDA report which are not exotic pet food proteins… suggesting exotic protein sources may not lead to the development of DCM.”
“(One) study concluded that whole blood taurine concentrations were lower in dogs fed whole grain diets, such as rice bran and barley, while another study observed that beet pulp, rather than rice, had a greater impact on lowering the concentrations of plasma and whole blood taurine. This suggests that these
Boxers
American Cocker Spaniels
Bulldogs
Golden Retrievers
ingredients are likely not a cause of the taurine-deficiency in dogs. However, the FDA has currently raised concern for diets that contain legumes as one of the top seven ingredients. According to the FDA’s 2018 report, lentils, peas, and other legumes (pulse ingredients) have been speculated to be responsible for diet-associated DCM. However, this hypothesis may be unsupported by evidence-based research. In a study conducted at the University of Illinois, in a controlled environment, dogs were fed 45% legumes or fed a diet primarily comprised of poultry byproduct. Interestingly, over the 90-d study, there was no significant difference when comparing plasma amino acids between groups. Additionally, comparing the plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations between groups was not significantly different. Therefore, since there was no change in taurine concentrations with dogs being fed a diet containing 45% legumes, legumes are more than likely not a cause of taurine deficient DCM.”
Saint Bernards
Airedale Terriers
Newfoundlands
Scottish Deerhounds English Cocker Spaniels
German Shorthair Pointers
A 2020 publication on DCM “was not well-controlled from a nutritional standpoint. The study evaluated two groups: traditional diets and non-traditional diets; however, the non-traditional diet group was comprised balanced AND those used only for supplemental feeding, which are not formulated to meet AAFCO requirements. Furthermore, the majority of the dogs eating he non traditional diets did not have low taurine or abnormal cardiac parameters. Moreover, not all dogs with decreased systolic function had low taurine concentrations, and the relationship between whole blood taurine, plasma taurine, and cardiac muscle taurine concentration remains unknown.”
“In recent FDA reports, of the 340 dogs’ medical records reviewed, 202 (only 36%) had a definitive diagnosis of DCM, confirmed by an echocardiogram. The FDA Vet-LIRN states that 176 (only 31%) of the dogs diagnosed with cardiovascular disease had taurine measurements and echocardiograms. However, the report does not provide details on whether it has been suggested that whole blood taurine may be more indicative of the actual taurine status of the dog than plasma taurine.” Further, “the FDA reports do not have complete medical records and diet histories for all dogs… of the 515 dogs,
14 dogs(only 2.7%) have provided initial samples for the 1 to 2-mo follow-up. 44% of DCM diagnosed dogs had concurrent conditions which can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. 15% of the dogs had valvular degeneration, 12% had atrial fibrillation, 9% had hypothyroidism and 8% had Lyme disease. 61% of dogs with chronic valvular disease or DCM have another concurrent condition… therefore, dogs with these conditions… should not be included. The information cannot be properly analyzed if a case report does not contain all required information, therefore, it should not be included in studies.”
“In the FDA report, 13 (4%) of the dogs were reported “unknown breed”, 62 (20%) mixed breeds, and the remaining were named by breed. Of the 305 dogs that had breeds listed 223 (73%) were identified as a breed predisposed to DCM.…(leaving only 3% of dogs that could effectively be analyzed for “new” or “abnormal” DCM cases) overrepresentation and breed reporting bias possibly inflated the number of reported cases. An increase in
A study done on 64 dogs with DCM showed that only 24 (37.5%) had blood samples submitted, only 14 (22%) of those had low taurine and 6 were DCM prone breeds. 100% of the taurine deficient dogs were consuming lamb & rice diets, 8 (67%) of which were consuming the exact same product. Yet, all boutique brand products are villainized as potential causes of DCM.
reports due to awareness or concern regarding diet history and veterinarians knowledge of predisposed breeds resulted in reporting bias and overrepresentation. To further understand incidence rate and if there is a possible increase in DCM, multi-clinic, retrospective studies are warranted to identify a percentage of the population seeking referral to diagnose DCM, the incidence in specific breeds, and diet history, comparison to market share.”
Limiting factors in research:
“Difficulty of antemortem testing of the myocardium and out of pocket cost to screen for nutritional deficiencies and infectious agents.”
“Most definitive diagnoses in dogs are obtained through postmortem histopathology. Due to limitations in definitive testing modalities in dogs, myocarditis is suspected to be underrepresented as a cause of DCM.”
To read the full report, see:
Required tests to effectively diagnose cardiac disease:
– L-Carnitine (free, total and carnitine ester concentrations) – Plasma and Whole Blood Taurine
– hs-CRP
– Homocysteine
– Mineral/Heavy Metal Analysis (HTMA Test ParsleyPet.com)
Board Invited Review: Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concerns, Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science, Journal of Animal Science, June 2020
AUTHORS:
Sydney R. McCauley – Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University – Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences Stephanie D Clark, PhD, CVT, PAS – Clinical and applied nutrition, Trained FSMA/AAFCO/ Regulatory/ HIPAA, IACUC, IRB, SHEA Guidelines
Bradley W. Quest
Renee Streeter, DVM, DACVN
Eva M Oxford, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (cardiology)- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Molecular Medicine at Cornell University
