Grain free dog food and taurine

[druid]

So the FDA has issued a warning about the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy and low taurine blood levels in atypical breeds being fed grain free dry food, specifically those using potato and legumes. Is this something we should be concerned about??

 

[gunnergundog]

Not according to Jean Dodds https://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/176405475391/fda-dog-heart-disease#.W5BEeM5KjIU

 

[SusieT]

There are a lot of issues with fad diets and some concern over this but little evidence to date as like all nutrition issues it is hard to gather concrete evidence

 

[TGM]

I did do some Googling on this a little while ago having heard people talk about this. As far as I could find out it was related to certain brands of feed which happened to be grain free rather than all grain free food in general. The brands concerned had a low meat content and the protein content was boosted by the legumes. From that I would guess that people feeding good quality high meat grain free food should not have too much to worry about.

 

[druid]

Not according to Jean Dodds https://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/176405475391/fda-dog-heart-disease#.W5BEeM5KjIU

I've read that and it basically says the same as the FDA release reworded, could be an issue but no research is done it's just a "trend" currently. She even suggests blood tests if you're worried.

I think if I were feeding a high legume feed I'd be reconsidering or supplementing taurine.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I was talking to Burns recently about this and they are supplementing their sensitive range with taurine although that diet sent grain free. Personally I think many of the new kibble s who say they are high quality don't necessarily have the same analysis as the older, more evil kibbles �� But also as I understand it the taurine deficiency is in susceptible dogs, not the general population?

 

[druid]

I was talking to Burns recently about this and they are supplementing their sensitive range with taurine although that diet sent grain free. Personally I think many of the new kibble s who say they are high quality don't necessarily have the same analysis as the older, more evil kibbles �� But also as I understand it the taurine deficiency is in susceptible dogs, not the general population?

I think the point of concern is that it has been reported in atypical breeds such as whippets and schnauzers? Alongside the mre expected Rotties etc