Is Your Dog at Risk for Developing Heart Disease Based on Diet?
What’s in your dogs’ diets could be a factor in whether they develop heart disease, according to a new FDA report.
The Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that it is continuing to investigate a potential connection between certain diets and cases of dilated cardiomyopathy, known as DCM or canine heart disease, which can result in congestive heart failure.
The agency first announced the investigation in July 2018. Thursday’s announcement named 16 pet food brands most frequently identified in 524 reported cases, which included 515 dogs and nine cats.
“We know it can be devastating to suddenly learn that your previously healthy pet has a potentially life-threatening disease like DCM,” Steven M. Solomon, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in a statement. “That’s why the FDA is committed to continuing our collaborative scientific investigation into the possible link between DCM and certain pet foods.”
The report says 119 dogs and five cats died from the disease.