Worst Dog Food for Heart Disease

Millions of American dogs are suffering from a serious health problem that many pet owners are not even aware of. I’m talking about heart disease, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). And the root of this problem is most likely poor-quality dog food. In this blog post, I’ll be discussing the worst dog foods for heart disease and why you should avoid them at all costs.

According to various literature on pet care, cardiology for pets really took off in the 80s with significant interest in the 90s and has progressed significantly with great studies being released over the past 5 years.

In 2017, a very impactful study led by Dr. Lisa M. Freeman of Tufts University was published in the prestigious Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). The study found a potential link between grain-free diets and a type of canine heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Worst Dog Food for Heart Disease DCM

1. 1. Nutro Max Adult Dog Food: This food is marketed as being “nutrient-rich” and “heart-healthy.” However, it actually contains very little nutrition and can actually contribute to heart disease. The first ingredient is cornmeal, which is a cheap filler with no nutritional value. It also contains chicken by-product meal, which is a low-quality source of protein that can actually be harmful to your dog’s health. Finally, it contains propylene glycol, which is a toxic substance that has been linked to heart disease.
2. 2. Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food: This food is marketed as being “nutritionally complete and balanced.” However, it actually contains several harmful ingredients. The first ingredient is corn, which is a cheap filler with no nutritional value. The second ingredient is chicken by-product meal, which is a low-quality source of protein that can actually be harmful to your dog’s health. Finally, it contains artificial colors and flavors, which can be toxic to your dog’s health.

As a result, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began investigating the potential link between DCM and grain-free diets, as well as diets that contain legumes such as peas or lentils.

What is Dog heart disease?

To understand the potential link between diet and DCM, it’s important to first understand what DCM is. DCM is a condition that results in an enlarged heart and can eventually lead to heart failure. It’s most common in large breed dogs, but it can affect any dog of any breed or size.

The first thing to understand is what exactly DCM is. DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that results in an enlarged heart and can lead to congestive heart failure. Symptoms of DCM include lethargy, coughing, exercise intolerance, and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s important to take them to the vet for an evaluation.

There are many potential causes of DCM, but the most common is genetics. Other potential causes include infection, trauma, and certain medications. However, the most likely cause of DCM in dogs is poor nutrition.

16 Worst dog food for heat disease;

• 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
• Rachael Ray Nutrish

There are many different causes of DCM, including genetics, infections, and various types of heart disease. However, the most common cause of DCM is unknown.

In the past, DCM was mostly seen in dogs that were not eating a balanced diet. For example, dogs that were fed a diet of table scraps or dog food that was not nutritionally complete were more likely to develop DCM.

Today, however, the vast majority of dogs with DCM are eating so-called “premium” or “gourmet” pet foods. In fact, many of the dogs that have been diagnosed with DCM in recent years were eating grain-free diets.

Which Line of Products by the 16 Worst dog food Brands linked to DCM/heart disease

• 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
• Rachael Ray Nutrish

In the next section, I have described the line of products for each brand of dog food linked to DCM. For example, Acana’s Heritage dog food is the one linked to DCM.

Acana:

One of the worst offenders on this list is Acana. Their “Heritage” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes. These ingredients have been linked to DCM in dogs.

Zignature:

Another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs is Zignature. Their “Limited Ingredient” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Taste of the Wild:

Taste of the Wild is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain-Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

4Health:

4Health is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain-Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Earthborn Holistic:

Earthborn Holistic is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain-Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Blue Buffalo:

Blue Buffalo is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Life Protection” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of corn, wheat, and soy.

Surprisingly this line of products is still on the market. Below is one of the highest rated-brand still available on Chewy;

Nature’s Domain:

Nature’s Domain is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain-Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Fromm:

Fromm is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Four-Star” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Merrick:

Merrick is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

California Natural:

California Natural is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Natural Balance:

Natural Balance is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Orijen:

Orijen is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Original” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Nature’s Variety:

Nature’s Variety is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Instinct” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

NutriSource:

NutriSource is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Nutro:

Nutro is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

Rachael Ray Nutrish:

Rachael Ray Nutrish is another company that has been linked to DCM in dogs. Their “Grain Free” line of dog foods is particularly dangerous, as it contains high levels of legumes and potatoes.

As you can see, there are a lot of companies out there whose dog foods have been linked to DCM. If you are concerned about your dog’s health, it is best to avoid these companies and their products.

Dog Food Ingredients linked to DCM

1. Grain-free diet: A grain-free diet is one that does not contain any wheat, rye, barley, oats, or rice. These ingredients are typically replaced with higher levels of legumes and potatoes.
2. Legumes: Legumes are a type of plant that includes beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts. They are a common ingredient in grain-free dog foods.
3. Potatoes: Potatoes are a type of starchy vegetable that is often used as a replacement for grains in grain-free dog foods.
4. Corn: Corn is a type of cereal grain that is commonly used as an ingredient in dog food. It is a cheap source of protein and fiber.