Keep Your Pet’s Heart Healthy. Without Changing Their Food

When your pet is diagnosed with a heart dysfunction or heart disease, you want to take immediate action to support your pet’s health and well-being. In addition to specific recommendations from your veterinarian, here are some tips to help keep your dog or cat’s heart healthy — without modifying their main diet.  

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Your pet’s weight plays an important role in heart health. One of the main contributors to heart problems is obesity. Being overweight adds unnecessary stress to your pet’s joints, muscles, internal organs, but also to the heart itself. 

Help your pet maintain a healthy weight by giving him the right amount of food for his size, breed, age, and reproductive status. 

In combination with a proper diet, daily exercise is vital. Walks, runs, and active playtime improve the strength and endurance of the heart’s ability to circulate blood, but also burn excess calories that can lead to obesity.

If your pet has been diagnosed with heart disease, please consult your veterinarian before starting any exercise program with your pet.  Certain heart conditions dictate no exercise while others allow for lower-intensity exercise sessions that include monitoring duration, intensity, and external temperature. 

Feed the Beneficial Treats

When searching for heart-healthy treats, look for single-ingredient, nutritionally dense, minimally processed products.  These types of treats are typically lower in sodium and other unhealthy preservatives that may aggravate a heart condition. My favorites are freeze-dried hearts, any fish treat (since fish is high in omega 3’s), or any treat containing no or low-salt additives.

Additional Supplements

Supplements can be an important part of your pet’s heart health plan. Although supplements should never replace a well-balanced diet, they can provide a nutritional boost that can help reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, manage weight and improve overall well-being. 

Organotherapy

If you haven’t heard of organotherapy, you’re not alone. This ancient therapy is defined as the practice of using whole animal tissues to support or promote the healthy functioning of a body’s internal organs.¹ It is also known as glandular therapy, cell therapy or tissue therapy. 

Why Organotherapy Works

Organ meat is high in a plethora of vitamins and minerals that may offer benefits for your pet. The cells within a particular organ or tissue contain the amino acids, nutrients, lipids, and glandular secretions (insulin, enzymes, and nucleic acids) needed to benefit that same organ within your pet. In other words, organotherapy may benefit your pet’s body on a cellular level by stimulating the function of that organ. For example, feed your pet liver (which contains amino acids and vitamins) to improve liver health.¹

Where to Find Organ Nutrients

Organ and tissue are plentiful in commercially prepared fresh and minimally processed diets where they have not been heat treated and therefore have the most bioavailable nutrients. Most of these diets contain at least 80% meat, organ, and bone, so they are rich in the essential nutrients, omega fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals that may support healthy organ function. Feeding organs doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult to incorporate into a healthy pet’s diet. For example, many commercially prepared options such as Instinct include amino acid levels like taurine as part of the guaranteed analysis. These can even be added to kibble diets as a fresh topper.

Some dietary supplements, like taurine, are derived directly from beef and pork heart. Digestive enzymes–primarily used to improve pancreatic function–are commonly sourced from pork pancreas. 

Freeze-dried organ treats also offer an excellent source of nutrition for your pet’s organ health, particularly single-ingredient options.² Freeze-dried liver, heart, lung and kidney make extremely healthy treats. Liver is perhaps the most popular as it’s frequently used and recommended by dog trainers due to its rich flavor and palatability. Liver is also considered one of the highest value rewards you can offer your pet. Freeze-dried treats are perfect for both cats and dogs. 

Organ benefits:

Heart: Taurine, carnitine, CoQ10

Lung: Iron, Vitamins A, D, E and B12

Kidney: Vitamin A, B, and iron

Liver*: Vitamin A, glycogen, potassium, copper, B vitamins, and vitamin D, K and E

Pancreas: digestive enzymes, manganese, insulin and glucagon

Spleen: Vitamins D, K, A, E, plus iron and zinc.

Brain: DHA and EPA, other omega-3 fatty acids

*It’s important to note that liver should be fed in moderation. Excessive amounts can induce vitamin A toxicity.³

Every pet is different and has unique nutritional needs. Supplementing with organ meat for various reasons should be considered on an individual basis. Stop in to speak with us about what options may be best suited for your pet. 

This information is provided for educational purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for treatment options for your pet. We recommend consulting a board certified veterinary nutritionist for disease-specific nutrition information.

REFERENCES:

  1. Cameron, T. “Glandular Therapy.” Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine. Integrative Veterinary Care Journal. 2012.
  2. Gaylord, L. Raditic, D. “Glandular therapies for pets.” Integrative Veterinary Care. August 6, 2022 https://ivcjournal.com/glandular-therapies-for-pets/
  3. Cho DY, Frey RA, Guffy MM, Leipold HW. Hypervitaminosis A in the dog. Am J Vet Res. 1975;36(11):1597-1603.

What Should I Do If My Pet Is Overweight?

Many pet owners don’t even realize their pets are overweight. A few extra pounds might not sound like a big deal, but it is.

The Perks of Pumpkin for Pets

Pumpkin is a commonly recommended supplement for dogs and cats for everything from loose stool to constipation to an occasional bowl topper or a regular supplement. But what is it about pumpkin that makes it so great for your pet? Let’s find out what makes this sweet treat a favorite among vets and nutritionists! 

Reasons You Should Consider Adding Pumpkin to Your Dog’s Diet

#1 RICH IN FIBER

Pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber – both soluble and insoluble. 

  • Soluble fiber helps with weight management, lowering fat absorption, stabilizing glucose levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, and feeding healthy gut bacteria. 
  • Insoluble fiber assists in preventing constipation and lowers the risk of diverticular disease. 

Because pumpkin contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, it can essentially help to normalize your pet’s stool, whether it’s too loose or too firm. It’s a win-win situation! 

As a preventative, pumpkin is an excellent source of prebiotics that feed the good gut bacteria- probiotics. This is a wonderful addition for any pet with a sensitive stomach as it can aid in the digestive process. Also, since roughly 80% of your pet’s immune system resides in their gut, a happy belly can mean a healthier pet!

#2 ESSENTIAL VITAMINS

Pets need food that allows them to consume all their vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin is packed with essential vitamins and minerals:

  • Vitamin A and Zinc help strengthen your pet’s immune health, promote clearer skin and a healthier coat, and improve overall eye health. 
  • Vitamin D helps to grow and maintain strong bones by regulating and balancing the retention of calcium and phosphorus. It also works to reduce inflammation. 
  • Potassium is vital to pet health! It assists in the functioning of the heart, nerves, and muscles by aiding in transferring energy from the nutrients. 

Not only is pumpkin a great source of vitamins and minerals your pet needs, but it also assists with the absorption of these nutrients to improve many functions of their body.

#3 ADDED MOISTURE

Kibble-fed pets often live in a mild state of dehydration, as the body pulls moisture from itself to digest the dry food. Therefore, adding moisture to your pet’s kibble is essential. Adding moisture-rich pumpkin can help to keep your pet well hydrated. Added moisture is crucial for not only the digestive process but also… 

  • Weight control – Pumpkin is high in moisture and fiber, which helps your pet feel full. As a result, your pet is less likely to overeat and will be satisfied longer!  
  • Hairballs– Lack of moisture can lead to more frequent hairballs. An addition of pumpkin to your pet’s kibble will keep them well-hydrated, which means fewer hairballs for them and less clean-up for you. 
  • Low in glycemic index– Glycemic index is a measurement of the blood glucose response to carbohydrates. Low GI foods (such as pumpkin) contain carbs that are digested slowly, so energy is sustained for an extended period of time. 

Pumpkin is super versatile for your furry friends. You can include it as a treat, bowl topper, or toy filler. Pumpkin is worth the hype! With the holidays right around the corner, include your pet in the holiday festivities and try incorporating more pumpkin into your pet’s diet! 

*This article is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to provide medical advice or replace the advice of a qualified veterinarian.

Science of ‘Sense’ – how does your pet see the world?

There has always been debate about how and what dogs and cats can see. The reality? Dogs & cats don’t see as clearly as humans, and they’re lacking in the color department. However, they can see movement better than we can.

Learn Something New

Grain-Free Pet Food Diets | What to Know Before Switching

The benefit and necessity of grain-free pet food have come under scrutiny in recent years due to an FDA investigation due to a potential association with a canine heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). As a result of this potential association, many have been told there is no scientific evidence to support the use of grain-free foods in canines and felines, or that these foods do not provide any benefit over grain-inclusive foods. For the most part, grain-free refers to kibble, although some have also categorized various canned, freeze-dried, and raw diets under the ‘grain-free’ umbrella. But are these claims accurate? Let’s find out:

 

Grain-free foods don’t provide benefits?grain free dog food kible

The pet food industry’s switch to grain-free was not fueled by a problem with the grains themselves or grain allergies like most believe. The largest pet food recalls in history was due to melamine and cyanuric acid contamination of ingredients coming from China. The short version of the 2007 recall is that wheat gluten and rice protein were intentionally combined with melamine for its high nitrogen content. Higher amounts of nitrogen can cause the protein content of an ingredient to test higher than it actually is. Since cyanuric acid was present, and the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid is likely the reason the recall was so deadly – not the melamine on its own. This series of events fueled the consumer trend of wanting grain-free pet food.

Other Concerns

Another major factor absent from the discussion on grain-free vs. grain inclusive diets for people – and pets – is the contamination of grains with herbicides, pesticides, mycotoxins, and fertilizers. This has become an increasingly large concern since the mid-’90s in both the human and animal food supply. Numerous peer-reviewed articles are detailing the disruption many of these agricultural contaminants have on normal gut bacteria function.1,2 In fact, available literature suggests that humans are becoming increasingly intolerant to grain and grain products for exactly these reasons (e.g. wheat & gluten sensitivity & celiac disease in humans).

We are learning that disruption of vital gut bacteria balance can have devastating effects on the health of the host, including diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disease, cancers, GI issues, and even DCM.3–5 Could the contamination of grains in pet food be one reason why many pets experience improvement of various issues with the change from grain-inclusive to grain-free? Could be.

Ultimately the phrase ‘there is no evidence to support the use of grain-free foods’ doesn’t mean there is not a benefit. It simply means that we have a major gap in research into companion animal nutrition and that we easily forget our recent history. On the contrary, we don’t have evidence to support that feeding grains to canines or felines are any more healthful than feeding grain-free diets. Evidence only shows that it meets minimal (known) nutritional standards, not that pets thrive on these processed diets. In short, canine and feline nutrition fields are far behind the knowledge we have in livestock and human nutrition.

 

Are ALL grain-free foods the same?

Many veterinarians and pet owners automatically lump grain-free cans, fresh food, raw food, and freeze-dried products as ‘grain-free’. While this is technically correct – there are stark differences that make these foods different from their kibble counterparts.

Regardless of whether we are feeding grain-free or not, we need to consider the high temps kibble and canned foods are heated to during the manufacturing process. This high heat creates Maillard Reaction Products (MRP) which is the name for a series of reactions that is the product of sugar (carbohydrate) and protein when heated. These are also known as AGE’s or Advanced Glycation End Products.

MRP’s are responsible for the nutrient loss and associated with diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, loss of cognitive function, allergies, periodontal disease, and chronic inflammation.6–12 This can mean things like arthritis, skin, and ear issues, an old injury that keeps resurfacing, bloating, IBS, etc. Also, there is a large amount of research to suggest that they are carcinogenic and accelerate aging.13,14

  • Heterocyclic amines are MRPs from cooking protein that increases with elevated cooking temperature. This phenomenon is more pronounced in meat than fish – and these increase with temperature and dryness of meat or meat products15.
  • Acrylamides are a chemical that forms naturally from starchy foods during high-temperature cooking. According to the European Food Safety Authority evidence from animal studies shows that acrylamides are genotoxic and carcinogenic: they damage DNA and cause cancer. And since we know so little about animal nutrition is it possible that much of the disease we’re seeing – including DCM – has at least something to do with the MRP’s that are in dry and/or canned pet food? Is it a coincidence that freeze-dried, fresh, and raw options do not have as many associated issues as their processed counterparts? Maybe.

 

Allergic to Grains? Probably Not (sorry, not sorry)

Pet food can be made of everything from rendered unfit foods for human consumption to ingredients that are 100% organic and probably better than the food we feed ourselves. I’m not necessarily here to split hairs on ingredients and in the types of ingredients that are in our pet’s food. Because is it these ingredients that are causing the problem? Or is it something else? – These are the questions that the experts seem to avoid entirely. When a dog experiences issues related to food, we are quick as a society to turn over the bag and blame an ingredient or set of ingredients. However, those ingredients as listed are likely not the problem – rather the quality, processing agents, AGE’s and contamination of these ingredients (e.g. herbicides, pesticides, etc.); something you will never find listed on a label.

 

More Important: Nutrient Availability & Digestibility

The digestibility of food is altered as it is processed, mixed with other ingredients, and heated. That said, canned and kibble foods by definition will have varying levels of nutrient availability and digestibility than their lesser processed counterparts. The ingredients (or set of ingredients) that make up a food could be the most nutrient-dense food available – but if they are not digestible by the cat or dog then those ingredients are irrelevant. In short, this means that it is important to ask your pet food company for their digestibility and nutrient analysis to determine if their food is adequate for your pet. Learn more about what questions to ask and why here.

 

About the author: Nicole Cammack

Nicci is the owner of award-winning NorthPoint Pets & Company, in Connecticut. She is also the Founder & CEO of Undogmatic Inc. Her undergraduate and graduate education includes biology, chemistry, business, and nutrition. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry on multiple R&D projects and has had the privilege to learn from leading international figures in the human and pet health industry. She regularly lectures at national conferences, including federal, state, and municipal K9 events. Her current research involves identifying pathogenic risk factors and transmission among raw fed pets through a comprehensive worldwide survey.

www.northpointpets.com

www.undogmaticinc.com

 

References:

  1. Van Bruggen AHC, He MM, Shin K, et al. Environmental and health effects of the herbicide glyphosate. Sci Total Environ. 2018;616-617:255-268. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.309
  2. Aitbali Y, Ba-M’hamed S, Elhidar N, Nafis A, Soraa N, Bennis M. Glyphosate based- herbicide exposure affects gut microbiota, anxiety and depression-like behaviors in mice. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2018;67:44-49. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2018.04.002
  3. DeGruttola AK, Low D, Mizoguchi A, Mizoguchi E. Current Understanding of Dysbiosis in Disease in Human and Animal Models. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2016;22(5):1137-1150. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000000750
  4. Galland L. The Gut Microbiome and the Brain. J Med Food. 2014;17(12):1261-1272. doi:10.1089/jmf.2014.7000
  5. Yoshida N, Yamashita T, Hirata K. Gut Microbiome and Cardiovascular Diseases. Diseases. 2018;6(3). doi:10.3390/diseases6030056
  6. Jandeleit-Dahm K, Cooper ME. The Role of AGEs in Cardiovascular Disease. doi:info:doi/10.2174/138161208784139684
  7. Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Thomas WP, Skiles ML, Rogers QR. Clinical findings in cats with dilated cardiomyopathy and relationship of findings to taurine deficiency. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992;201(2):267-274.
  8. DCM: add taurine to grain-free dog foods, say scientists. Accessed May 15, 2019. https://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/8162-dcm-add-taurine-to-grain-free-dog-foods-say-scientists?v=preview
  9. DACVIM CDSBM. Breed-specific variations of cardiomyopathy in dogs. dvm360.com. Accessed May 15, 2019. https://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/breed-specific-variations-cardiomyopathy-dogs
  10. Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs. vca_corporate. Accessed May 15, 2019. vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dilated-cardiomyopathy-dcm-in-dogs–indepth
  11. Medicine C for V. FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. FDA. Published online June 27, 2019. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy
  12. Freeman LM, Stern JA, Fries R, Adin DB, Rush JE. Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know? J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2018;253(11):1390-1394. doi:10.2460/javma.253.11.1390
  13. Prasad C, Imrhan V, Marotta F, Juma S, Vijayagopal P. Lifestyle and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Burden: Its Relevance to Healthy Aging. Aging Dis. 2014;5(3):212-217. doi:10.14336/AD.2014.0500212
  14. Turner DP. Advanced glycation end-products: a biological consequence of lifestyle contributing to cancer disparity. Cancer Res. 2015;75(10):1925-1929. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-15-0169
  15. Jägerstad M, Skog K, Arvidsson P, Solyakov A. Chemistry, formation and occurrence of genotoxic heterocyclic amines identified in model systems and cooked foods. Z Für Leb -Forsch A. 1998;207(6):419-427. doi:10.1007/s002170050355

June 2020: Journal of Animal Sciences Grain Free & Heart Disease Summary

Background & History of DCM Investigation

In June of 2018 a blog titled “A broken heart: Risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients” was published on the Tuft’s University blog ‘Petfoodology’. This blog was followed by a commentary article in JAVMA causing increased media and public attention. It’s important to note that neither of these papers were peer reviewed, and the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) disseminated it as gospel.  This is unfortunate considering 80% of veterinarians believe or look at AVMA as a source of truth even if an article does not contain true or accurate science content.

These articles were composed by Lisa Freeman, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist from Tufts University in order to warn the public and veterinary community about the imminent danger from ‘BEG’ foods. This blog caught the media by storm followed by the FDA launching an investigation into the matter. As a result, the FDA launched an investigation which was complicated by sampling bias, overrepresentation of subgroups and confounding variables. For the past two years, despite additional commentary articles, scarce and vague scientific data and inconclusive FDA reports, information regarding DCM has been incomplete at best. Lack of information has been accompanied by abbreviated synopses of case studies with multiple variables and treatments, incomplete medical information and conflicting medical data and opinions from veterinary nutrition influencers.1  

The reality is that there are many variables that may, or may not, impact the onset, disease process and outcome of DCM. Available studies lack evaluation of isolated variables in a controlled environment free from sampling bias. For example, many unknowns exist surrounding numerous nutrients, genetics, hypothyroidism, myocarditis, arrhythmias and other diet-related etiologies.1

Critical Part of the Conversation: DCM Disease Process & Role of Nutrition

One of the largest points of contention within this investigation is that pet owners and even some within the veterinary community are unaware of the multiple etiologies and the complex relation of nutrition to DCM. Causative factors behind DCM have been oversimplified to blame grain-free foods – which is fundamentally incorrect and is a disservice to the field of nutrition and the health and wellbeing of pets. 

Any self-respecting nutritionist knows that nutrients, not ingredients, make up a well-formulated diet. Nutrition is far more complex than this 2-year conversation has given credit to – and this review acknowledged that. At the same time, this paper also cited the importance of having a general knowledge of the incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnostics and potential treatments required before digging into the rest of the DCM conversation. Let’s have a look:

Incidence & Genetics

The most common cardiovascular disease in canines is chronic degenerative valve disease (approx. 75%), followed by DCM as the second most common. The incidence of DCM appears to be 0.5 and 1.3% of the population, with the majority of cases being an inherited, genetically linked condition.1  In context, the estimated population of dogs in the United States equals 77,000,000 which suggests a minimum of 308,000 to 1,001,000 dogs in the United States have DCM at any given time. Certain breeds and male dogs are often reported to have a higher incidence of DCM – with most cases appearing in middle age to older dogs.1  It was thought that mixed breed dogs had a greater protection against developing genetically linked types of DCM, however statistics show this is not the case. The authors highlight the need for more research in both purebred and mixed breed dogs and the genetic relationship to DCM.

Manifestation & Diagnostics

Clinical manifestation, or presentation of the disease is elusive in many cases. Most dogs have no outward symptoms in the beginning stages of the disease. If undiagnosed DCM progresses on to include decreased efficiency and effectiveness of the heart muscle leading to exercise intolerance, congestive heart failure (CHF), syncope (passing out), and even sudden death. Unfortunately, sometimes there are no outward symptoms, and sudden death is the only sign, especially in Doberman Pinschers1.

The smallest section of the paper titled “Histopathological Manifestation” has one of the most interesting facts in the entire review: “Histopathological changes vary from myocardial samples in dogs with DCM, reflecting the numerous underlying etiologies.” Simply put, biopsies, or samples of heart muscle from various dogs are showing multiple and variable changes to the cardiac tissue that indicate differing causative factors. These factors could include arrythmia, genetics, hypothyroid disease, doxorubicin (chemotherapy), myocarditis, digestive impairment, low protein diets, high fiber diets and deficiencies of l-carnitine, taurine, sulfur amino acids – among many others.1

While the gold standard of diagnostics in humans, cardiac muscle biopsy is rarely conducted in canines due to the invasive nature and high cost of the procedure.  Traditional diagnostics used to rule out other diseases and arrive at a DCM diagnosis include, but are not limited to radiograph(x-ray), echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (EKG), 24-Holter monitoring, and cardiac biomarkers (blood testing). Often, many of these options are limited due to accessibility due to location and the cost prohibitive nature of some of these tests.

Presumptive Diagnosis & Misdiagnosis

As a result of limited access to testing for various reasons, presumptive diagnosis and misdiagnosis are of concern. For example, both left and right sided valve disease may lead to characteristics that could lead to pathologies that resemble DCM. In addition, neoplasia, CHF, pericarditis and left atrial rupture can all cause pericardial effusion which leads to increased silhouette of the heart.1 Ignoring these other potential disease pathologies could lead to misdiagnosis and result in inadequate treatment.

Treatment of DCM

As we’ve learned within the past two years treatment of cases of DCM vary widely, and are complicated by accompanying disease states, age and nutritional status – among other factors. In general, treatment of DCM depends largely on the severity of disease. Treatment for primary DCM can involve use of pharmaceutical drugs, management of arrythmias, l-carnitine supplementation, taurine supplementation, and diet change. Management of secondary DCM may focus on treating the underlying condition in addition to the treatments listed above.1

Nutrition Considerations:

Choline – an abundant nutrient having several important roles within the body and potentially several that may influence DCM in different ways. In humans, choline is important for the regeneration from methionine from homocysteine. When choline is deficient elevated homocysteine elevations occur which likely increases risk of cardiovascular disease. Additional risks related to choline may be indicated by its involvement in the production of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) which promotes inflammation and cardiovascular disease development in humans.1

This review states that choline is deserving of more research to determine if there is a relationship to DCM in canines. It’s important to call out that much of the information in the discussion on choline is from human data highlighting the knowledge gap in this area.

Methionine and Cysteine – These are sulfur containing amino acids which are involved in the synthesis of taurine. There are multiple factors that influence the synthesis of taurine from these two precursors. These influences include low bioavailability, thermal processing of food, diet formulation, deficiency of methionine which is a limiting amino acid – among others. In addition, sulfur amino acid requirements may vary between breed and size of dogs.1

Again, we need more research to determine breed, size and potentially age specific requirements for these nutrients.1 It’s also important to note that we lack the ability to measure functional adequacy of these nutrients highlighting another knowledge gap.

Taurine – Another sulfur containing amino acid, is not considered essential in dogs. This is because canines can synthesize taurine on their own. Taurine is an essential amino acid for cardiovascular function, skeletal muscle, nervous system function and as a component bile acids. Since the initial DCM investigation taurine has been questioned as being essential, however insufficient data exist to make any conclusions.1  That being said, canines with various cardiovascular diseases have been found to have low taurine levels. Further research is needed to determine if low bioavailability of taurine, low taurine synthesis and/or increased requirement of taurine are factors in these pathologies.

Taurine status is also deserving of more research. It is likely that various breeds, and disease states have different taurine requirements. In addition, several factors may influence bioavailability and synthesis of this amino acid. Variables affecting these factors need to be studied in a controlled environment.

Carnitine – Another nutrient that has been given attention is carnitine. This is because carnitine is beta-oxidized to generate continued energy, and 60% of cardiac energy production is through beta-oxidation. Therefore, deficiency or increased need of carnitine may cause cardiac dysfunction leading to cardiac disease such as DCM.1  Like other nutrition considerations discussed, functional assessments for carnitine status are lacking through blood testing. In order to accurately measure carnitine, biopsy of the heart muscle is required. 

Taurine, carnitine and a variety of other nutrients and amino acids require specific balances of vitamins and minerals in bioavailable forms for proper function. Examples include, but are not limited to zinc, iron, selenium and niacin. This means that adequate levels of carnitine or taurine could be present but be unable to be utilized properly by the body.

Thiamine – Insufficient evidence exists regarding thiamine deficiency and cardiac function in canines. However, thiamine does play a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and specific amino acids. Thiamine can also be rendered unavailable by the presence of certain enzymes in some foods. In short, more research is needed to determine if thiamine deficiency, or lack of bioavailability, potentially contributes to the disease process of DCM in dogs. 

Copper – Copper is known to play an important role of many enzyme functions, hemoglobin synthesis, nerve structure and function, blood vessels and various tissues. Copper deficiency on cardiac health has been studied in other species, but not dogs. While copper is routinely supplemented, it’s status could be negatively impacted by excess zinc and/or iron.1 This again indicates another knowledge gap in the area of canine nutrition and DCM. 

Vitamin E – Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant which has links to cardioprotective mechanisms. Dogs with DCM have been found to have lower vitamin E in comparison to healthy dogs.

Selenium – Selenium deficiency may be related to reduced ability for cysteine synthesis. In addition, selenium deficiency results in increased oxidative stress, and decreases other antioxidant activity. Further, decreased bioavailability of selenium may inhibit the absorption of other metabolic constituents creating further complications. Additional research is needed to determine the involvement of selenium in the pathology of DCM.

Heavy Metals & Other Toxin Considerations:

Heavy metals and various toxins have well documented roles of nutrient interference in humans, canines and other species:

  • Cyanide can increase the sulfur amino acid requirement
  • Certain raw foods (fruits/vegetables) can inhibit iodine function and increase risk of hypothyroid disease
  • Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury increase taurine requirements since taurine detoxifies these metals

Limitations in Current Available Data:

We know that DCM in dogs is not a new concern. Given that, we also know there are significant limitations to research studies currently available due to small sample sizes, sample bias, sample parameter inconsistencies, lack of complete data and known genetic predisposition. Extrapolating data from a small sample size to a large population can be highly inaccurate because subsets of populations are likely to skew results. 

In addition, confounding variables and lack of control for independent variables can infer correlation when none exists. 

The FDA Reports & Sample:

The sample population from the FDA reports resulted from a call for submission of DCM cases in dogs eating suspect (boutique, exotic, grain-free) diets. This resulted in a polluted data set for multiple reasons, including breed reporting, media attention, lack of all confirmed and suspect DCM cases reported, and other confounding factors such as health status of the dog. These confounding factors include obesity and other underlying conditions and diseases.

Summary:

As discussed, DCM has many etiologies, and many variables affecting disease manifestation. Considerable research is needed into these etiologies, and this paper largely serves as a call to action. While researchers state no definitive link can be found between DCM and ‘BEG’ diets, the largest points are that all etiologies of DCM need more investigation and science of nutrition is complex, and oversimplifying suspicions can lead to misguided and incorrect conclusions.

Nicole Cammack

Nicci is the owner of award-winning NorthPoint Pets & Company, in Connecticut. She is also the Founder & CEO of Undogmatic Inc. Her undergraduate and graduate education includes biology, chemistry, business, and nutrition. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry on multiple R&D projects and has had the privilege to learn from leading international figures in the human and pet health industry. She regularly lectures at national conferences, including federal, state, and municipal K9 events. Her current research involves identifying pathogenic risk factors and transmission among raw fed pets through a comprehensive worldwide survey.

www.northpointpets.com
www.undogmaticinc.com

Link to article: https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/98/6/skaa155/5857674?fbclid=IwAR3A8FdX_DBMbEsi8CGh3tyBgNmSoy712FQf-sUkt4k2n2Ch_larxBQ0aJw

1.         McCauley SR, Clark SD, Quest BW, Streeter RM, Oxford EM. Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concerns. J Anim Sci. 2020;98(6). doi:10.1093/jas/skaa155