FDA investigates possible link between certain pet foods and heart disease in dogs
- The FDA is investigating a potential link between pet diets and dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that weakens the heart in dogs and can lead to cardiac failure.
- The agency named 16 brands most frequently involved in the reports.
- The agency first started investigating the possible link after receiving reports of the disease in breeds that were not commonly associated with DCM.
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating a potential link between certain brands of dog food, including Blue Buffalo, Merrick and Rachel Ray Nutrish, and an increased risk of heart disease in pets.
The agency is looking into more than 500 cases of canine heart disease, identifying the brands of dog food that have been most frequently fed to pets with the disease.
Consumers were first warned last year by the FDA that there is a potential link between particular pet diets and dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM — which can weaken a dog's heart and lead to cardiac failure — after the agency started receiving reports of the disease in breeds that were not commonly associated with DCM.
Though the FDA said it is not yet known how certain diets may lead to heart disease in canines, it noted 90% of the foods identified in the reports were "grain-free," meaning they did not contain soy, wheat, rice, barley or other grains, 93% contained peas or lentils and a "far smaller" portion contained potatoes or sweet potatoes. The FDA said there were no sources of protein, like chicken or lamb, that were predominant in the reported cases.
Acana, Zignature and Taste of the Wild had the most reports of DCM with more than 50 each between Jan. 1, 2014 and April 30. The FDA said 16 pet foods each had more than 10 reports of DCM, mostly in dogs, that are suspected to be linked to diet. Most reports were for dry dog foods, though there were some cases involving raw, wet and semi-moist foods, as well. The FDA noted some reports of DCM may have named multiple food brands.
See the chart below for all of the brands identified by the FDA:
Midwestern Pet Foods, which owns the Earthborn Holistic brand, said it has reviewed the FDA's recent update regarding grain-free pet foods and the potential link to DCM.
"This report does not provide any scientific findings linking nutrition and DCM," the company said in a statement sent to CNBC. "Rather, FDA is simply attempting to gain more information as part of its evaluation process."
The company added that taurine, an amino acid, has been thought to be helpful for dogs with DCM, so the company has "fortified" its grain-free recipes with taurine and L-Carnitine, another amino acid, "as prudent nutritional considerations."
The FDA said it is still "gathering information to better understand" how taurine may have a role in reports of DCM.
Champion Petfoods, owner of the Acana and Orijen brands, agreed the FDA's update "provides no causative scientific link" between their products and DCM.
"Our hearts go out to every pet and Pet Lover who have been impacted by DCM," the company said in a statement to CNBC. "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."
General Mills, the parent company for Blue Buffalo, said in a statement to CNBC that it is "actively working with the FDA and the pet food Institute to study this issue." The company said its Blue Buffalo formulas undergo formulation, manufacturing and testing processes and that its food undergo feeding studies.
General Mills added that all of its Blue Buffalo products contain taurine. "Blue Buffalo is evaluating the data shared by the FDA, and will be utilizing this data into our own research regarding canine DCM," the company said.
In a statement to CNBC, J.M. Smucker, which owns Natural Balance and Rachel Ray Delish, said: "As pet parents ourselves, we will continue to monitor this very closely, as we want to make sure all dogs are happy and healthy. Since a conclusive root cause has not been identified to date, we will continue to actively collaborate with the FDA and industry partners to better understand and resolve this increase in heart disease occurrences among dogs."
The Taste of the Wild food brand and Fromm Family Pet Food said they are not commenting at this time. None of the other brands' parent companies immediately returned CNBC's request for comment.
Over the more than five years tracked by the FDA, the agency said 560 dogs were diagnosed with DCM, resulting in 119 deaths. There were also some cases of the disease reported in cats. Within that same time-frame, 14 cats were affected by DCM, with five dying from the disease.
DCM is recognized as a genetic condition in dogs, commonly affecting larger breeds like the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound. However, the FDA began to investigate after receiving reports of the disease in breeds that don't normally suffer from the condition.
There have been cases of DCM in dogs like Golden Retrievers, mutts, and Labrador Retrievers, as well as smaller dogs like the Bulldog and Cocker Spaniel, that the FDA believes could possibly be linked to diet.
It can be "devastating" to learn your once-healthy pet has been diagnosed with DCM, Steven Solomon, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in a statement. Solomon said the FDA will continue its investigation into the potential link between a pet's diet and heart disease.
"Because we have not yet determined the nature of this potential link, we continue to encourage consumers to work closely with their veterinarians, who may consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to select the best diet for their pets' needs," Solomon said.