Earlier this month we received a stern warning from our veterinarian that our dog, Jasper, was becoming too fat. Obesity is a problem in pets just like it is in people. So, we made a switch to what we thought was a better kind of food for Jasper to eat. We should have asked our Vet what food would be the best alternative for our dog.

It turns out the "so-called healthy" brands of dog foods can pose risks of their own. I called them "healthy" brands because the advertisements for many of these feeds focus on the "healthy" ingredients listed in the foods. The advertisements seem to mock other dog foods with more traditional and time tested nutrition.

One of those risks identified by the Food and Drug Administration is canine heart disease. Now, just to be clear, the FDA isn't telling pet owners to stop feeding their pets these brands of food but many vets, including mine, are advising against the grain-free foods.

So far 16 different brands of pet food have been mentioned in association with findings from the FDA.  Those brands include, Acana, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Earthborn Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Nature's Domain, Fromm, Merrick, California Natural, Natural Balance, Orijen, Nature's Variety, NutriSource, Nutro, and Racheal Ray Nutrish.

FDA Spokesperson Lindsay Haake spoke with NBC News about the concerns that appear to link dog foods that are marketed as "grain-free" to canine dilated cardiomyopathy.

We’re not saying don’t use these brands, we’re just telling pet owners to work directly with their veterinarians because we’re still investigating.

Your best course of action is to consult your animal healthcare provider and get his or her input in regard to the best food for your pet's continued good health.

I guess lentils, peas, and potatoes aren't the flavors that dogs naturally crave. But then again whatever the stuff is they put in other dog food doesn't smell that enticing either. But then again, I don't spend my spare time licking my private parts and drinking toilet water. Maybe my sense of taste is a tad different than my dog's.

 

 

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