Is Grain Free Dog Food Still Causing Heart Disease? 

No kibble at all here! No processed food at all here! I make my dog's food as you demonstrated and he also gets your Ultimate Canine Supplement. I use organic vegetables and meat. He's doing fantastic at 11 years old, acting like a puppy. Thank you for all that you do! 💜

My Neapolitan mastiff was diagnosed with heart disease at 2.5 years old. He lasted only a year after that. He was on Origen, an expensive grain free food. When I took him to the vet due to a little bit of bloating in his belly, they asked if he was on grain free food, and I said yes and they said he could have heart disease and it could be due to his diet. I couldn’t believe it, but apparently all this is true. Breaks my heart. He passed away about five months ago at only 3.5 years old.

Another informative video. A month ago, one of my cats got sick. She wouldn't eat. A vet charged me $650 to tell me, "the prognosis isn't good." Thirty days of feeding her, mostly raw ground beef, with a little grain free Orijen, she is doing fine and gaining back the weight she lost. Apparently, dogs can have some plant protein. Cats need meat protein.

My dogs get raw chicken (whole chicken,gizzard,heart and liver)plus beef heart.I add cooked pumpkin,yams and some green beans.Crushed up boiled eggs 3 or 4 times a week.All my dogs have done great on this diet.My vets don't want to hear this from me,but my dog's health proves them wrong

Sending love and hugs to everyone who's lost their beloved fury family members or will be losing one to an illness,injuries, or old age.

I don't have dogs, but I have cats. A vet once told me (or I saw it online) to rotate and vary the kinds of foods my cats get. That was years ago, and since then, they have just about every choice in the book, with the exception of the most expensive foods at $3.00 a can. But they have dry, grain free and not grain free. Canned grain free and not. I give them a bit of organic milk on the side, a bit of real tuna in water, dried catnip, and they have the fenced yard for their grass. I also give them commercial cat treats. My cats eat better when I mix their wet with either water to make a stew, or dry food half and half. Pets like variety, just like we do. We wouldn't want to have only hot dogs for every meal, would we? They can't tell us what they want, so we need to watch them carefully and see what they like and what they don't, then rotate it. Sometimes I have to go further afield to find different stuff. I give the leftovers to the squirrels and the strays.

Dr Jones, Thank you very much for this update. This is so timely, I I just bought my dog Honest Kitchen kibble. It was expensive, I thought I made a good choice. Then my daughter’s dog’s vet said to avoid grain free. Your videos have been great with your timely updates. I have been supplementing my dogs diets and give my dogs vitamins

THANK YOU! my 14 year old dog has a heart murmur. He's now on a homemade diet, and peas used to be a big part of his diet....so bad! These companies trying to make our dogs become diseased with DCM. Thank you Dr. Jones for your constant posts and knowledge!!! 💞🫀🐕

We have a 6 year old English golden retriever (Cota) and a 4 year old Goldendoodle (Bella). We had been feeding "Zignature Kangaroo" dog food to both of our dogs since they were puppies. Originally we started feeding this to our English Golden because he has allergies. We tried so many different types of protein - Beef, chicken, salmon, rabbit, etc. and he had issues with all. He could tolerate the kangaroo. When we got our goldendoodle (Bella) she was put on this food from a young age. Within the last month she has become very ill. Not eating or drinking and had a fainting spell. She had an Xray and ultrasound performed at the vet. Her heart is grossly enlarged. She then had a echo cardiogram performed. She has now been diagnosed with DCM/Congestive heart failure. She is only 4! After telling the vet about her diet, lifestyle, etc. our vet had mentioned several studies that have come out with DIRECT links between Zignature dog food and cardiovascular disease in dogs. Bella's parents and siblings have no history of any heart issues. The vet wanted to check Cota too (English Golden) and he too has heart issues. Fortunately they are not as severe and he should be able to make a recovery. Two completely different dog breeds, different ages (4, and 6), strong/healthy blood lines. Bella has been on several medications and she showed improvement, but has now taken a steep decline. The Vet just made the recommendation today (6.29.23) to put Bella down. It is so incredibly sad. My heart is broken. She was such a sweet and happy soul. I just want to tell our story to as many people as possible so they and their babies do not have to go through what we are.

I just lost my 12 year old yorkie to heart disease a month ago and she had Peas in her food. 💔 I went to the vet multiple times with concerns on boating and cough and they brushed it off as being over weight. She did not over eat and her treats were veggies and fruits that are safe for dogs. They put her under for a teeth cleaning without doing any x-rays or blood work to make sure she was healthy enough for the cleaning. I blame them for killing my dog. 😭💔

Peas and beans also high in oxalates!!Do we know if oxalates deposit in the heart?

Thank you so much for doing this update video. I have a 10 yr old rescue schnauzer with horrible skin allergies who is starting to develop a mucocele in her gallbladder. Being a schnauzer she is also very prone to pancreatitis. Trying to find a low fat hypoallergenic diet has been extremely hard. I recently went to a whitefish and potato diet which is grain free. This had me concerned as several dogs showing DCM in the initial FDA warning were schnauzers. She is doing well on this grain free fish diet, but the information you presented in this video makes me feel much more at ease.

Thanks for the update! Looking for the link to recipes?

I feed my dogs fermented organic oats with blueberries for breakfast. Dinner time raw plus veg . I give slippery elm syrup every few days for their gut plus sauerkraut ❤😊

Six fish Origen with brown rice, yoghurt and a carrot 🥕 no issues 4 yr old black lab

Thanks so much!!I make their food because of you. Kibble is Nulo frontrunner. No peas!!!

❤❤❤ Hi Dr. Jones.

I lost THREE dogs because of this before it came to light in the media…two Golden Retrievers and a Jack Russell Terrier. Thank you for the information.

I'm so glad I found your channel, there's a lot of useful information. I started learning towards going to a non-traditional approach a year ago. My GSD at a year old was told that I should consider euthanizing my dog due to hip dysplasia, he had one leg he favored, ran around playing like any other dog. I'm doing things for him, warm compress sometimes cold, gentle massages, dog aspirin to help with his bad days, sh.e said it wasn't right for him to go on as most of these surgeries don't always work and are very expensive. I'm crying all the way home looking him , questioning myself thinking I'm a bad dog mom for holding off on "ending his suffering in her eyes" Then I got really mad, how euthanizing him the only option? I got home and went online to a GSD group that had recently joined. I explained the story and expressed my concern over the Euthanasia suggestion. I hit post and I literally had a hard time keeping up with everyone, all of them outraged that was my Vet's solution, reassuring me that I was doing the right thing by not going along with my Vet. Every single GSD owner that was treating their GSD'S with Cosequin and had a excellent results. So I thought I would give it a try, within 30 days he was no longer favoring one leg as much progressing every week to no longer favoring one leg. Now a year later you would never know he was having any issues. Why are some Vet's no offering other things to try? If I had stayed with her practice I would have been badgered in to Euthanizing an otherwise healthy dog. I'm so grateful that you are putting all of these videos out here. Some things will always be best handled with a Vet visit and yet you're demonized for not following lock and step with the Veterinary community. God bless!

I've learned it's the Taurine in grains that helps a healthy heart. I learned the hard way. I use ancient grains and make sure there is Taurine in the food. I also make homemade, too.

Homemade only all of the way. My dogs are family members and deserve the best nutrition.

Link to the recipes please!?!? Thank you for your informative videos. Love and blessings sent to you and family👍👏🙏❤ and Talula❤🐕🐶

I wouldn’t personally use spinach, they are the highest in oxalate (which is also an anti nutrient like the phytate you mentioned)

You're a blessing to me and my fur babies! Thank you Dr. for all that you do! God bless you!

Thank you for this update, Dr Jones. I feed my dog fresh frozen food, not kibble, but what to feed is always so confusing depending on who I get the information from. I really appreciate the up to date information on health care and life care for our pets!

I’d like to see data of dogs who get dcm on grain free diet instead of data on dcm in dogs overall. It would give a clearer picture.

Could you comment on human grade dog foods? E.g. Honest Kitchen, which has both whole grain and grain free dehydrated formulas, and minimally processed dry food. E.g. The Farmer's Dog wet packaged food.

Thank you for the valuable info. My furbaby has DCM. He is a large mixed breed 14 years old rescue.

I was surprised by some of this. If the conclusion is that it's the peas and legumes are causing the DCM, I am surprised that taurine has been found to reverse it. Because taurine is found in animal products, and grain free food still has meat...

It’s tough when one has a dog allergic to just about every grain except white rice-the itching is horrible-and feeding a 100 lb shepherd raw or homemade or freeze dried is outrageously expensive.

I Feed raw food and my dog died from DCM at 2 years. He was a Cane Corso. I think he had it genetically. He was the best dog ever! I miss him so much 😢. I got my new pup genetically tested and she doesn’t have any genetic markers for DCM. I don’t feed peas or lentils. My dogs eat meat, organ meat and sometimes carrots, spinach, apples and blueberries.

Have to make her food with about 1/3 Turkey, about 1/3 oatmeal and 1/3 vegetables. Getting worried about being able to buy much meat soon. For my dog - Watched your show about peas. Subbed green beans for peas and still give her potatoes and carrots. Winter squash when on sale. And gained 2 stray cats. They need more chicken or Turkey. Have taurine and krill for the cats but putting in oatmeal too and found some ocean fish - tilapia on sale but can’t keep this up. I think there will be more stray animals. I can’t let them starve.

I don't trust the FDA. If I had a dog, I'd feed him raw

Where are the recipes, please?

I took my dogs of grain free a few years back. I used to feed raw, which I cannot afford anymore, but my gang thrived on it.

I switched my dog to Merrick in 2019 and he was diagnosed with heart failure, an enlarged heart and heart murmur in 2021 and has been on Vetmedin for over 2 years. I had no idea about the study linking grain free foods to heart disease. It kills me that I have been spending over $80 a bag on Merrick food, because it was something I thought would be healthier for my dog, and it turns out it is likely what caused him to develop heart issues. Merrick also uses peas as an ingredient.

Thanks for this information, so helpful. Haven't got a lifetime to be an expert in everything, so this is great! Please let us know if you do these livestream videos each week? Love your shows! Been telling all the dog owners I meet about your shows! (Videos)

Thank you doctor. You're awesome.

You forgot to mention that grains also contain phytates...nor did you explain how Orijen got on that list when the food was about 85% meat...Goldens initially got DCM on lamb and rice diets... but certainly a more balanced video than I usually see from vets

What is a good taurine supplement for cats and dogs?

I switched to cooking for our dog. I’m considering raw and will be seeing a holistic vet this week. We also give him Instinct brand frozen raw chicken. I can’t thank you enough for helping me get back to how things used to be with REAL food for our pets. How I went from that to thinking prescription dog food 100% (same flavor, formula, kibble EVERY DAY) was ok is mind blowing. We’ve been so lied to so companies can make a profit. HOW though did they mange to make us forget real food is always better????

So glad I found your channel!! You make it easy to understand how to do what's best for our beloved furry babies!! Thank you!!

You do know most of the cases of DCM will not be reported.

Lost mine to that ,I was feeding him taste of the wild, and it was too late to save him from it with taurine supplementation 😪

Thank you for this super informative video. I really appreciate you putting it in perspective just what the chances are of a dog getting DCM. Trying to navigate food and healthcare care be overwhelming and you are God sent and a true blessing.

Love all the great info you share with us ♥️

I recently read also how the FDA was no longer going to report the brands, but I learned that Blue Buffalo was one. My dog, Katy was diagnosed in late December 2022 with DCM. Katy is 14 yrs old and a small black wiry hair terrier. She's been eating dry Blue Buffalo for 13 yrs! I stopped the food. When I asked my veterinarian for a cardiac diet I was given an article on low salt. I'm lost for diets!! She is on two medications right now. A diuretic and ACE inhibitor. Her cough is worse at night, and when she gets excited. She tolerates her walks well, but if I over do it, she coughs worst later. I think I have to keep her walks at a 1/2 mi.or less. If left up to her, she would walk all day. I'm wondering if you can post some cardiac diets, and care I should be providing. Seriously, I'm clueless. Thank you again. P.S. my veterinarian didn't mention any follow-up for her. I am a nurse and worry about her losing her potassium. I have listen to her heart and do hear a murmur clearly. I tell my friends that I'm good at taking care of people, but dogs not so good. I'm worried, stressed, and feel helpless. Thank you again.

Stopped with kibble over a month ago switch to canned food already seen a huge difference in both dogs going to do raw soon. My ibd cat I'm still working with his stool has improved somewhat. I will say atleast my birds are easy just throw in veggies and go. I even do bird tricks homemade seed mix recipe for them.

I love your channel! You are amazing. Thank you!

So we can change our dogs kibble every few months? I never did that because I thought it was bad for the dogs stomach, but I would love to do this for my dog. Do we need to gradually introduce the new kibble?

I watched one of the videos a little while back where he were making homemade dog food, but does anyone have a good link to a really good form a dog food especially if we live out in the country and have access to pretty much all the stuff Southeast America has to offer

Thank you for covering this!! 💖

Dr. Jones,🦊 Foxie eats Honest Kitchen turkey ( butcher block Pate with root vegetables) mixed with the dehydrated turkey- carrot's, spinach, yams, banana mixed in . Of course Foxie would be happy to call and place her to go order for the week since Tully approved 🐕🤗🦊

The clue is on the branded bag of food in the background. They sold out out to Mars and have added more peas and legumes to their mix. The problem with grains in the dog food is the potential glyphosate which reeks havoc on the digestive system. It's best to find a grain free legume free kibble and mix in with some fresh protein.

In my grain free dog food she's eating right now there is taurine in the food.

Thanks for the info. There is so much confusion over how dogs can get DCM. You put some sanity into it.

I feed grain free dog food & my 140 lb dogs ,live 16 -17 years ,iv been doing it for over 20 years now

I was feeding my cat grain free kibble with no by products and no meal and he threw up several times through the day. Changed him to Purina One sensitive systems plus he gets canned food daily too and he rarely throws up now.

Made my own dog food for over 20 years..never used peas but used spinach which ended up giving one of my poodles urinary stones when he was 14 I also gave oatmeal back then but not today...They did get a little kibble but the best I could find and organic as much as possible. The vets had me worried then about my dogs not getting a "balanced" diet. Come to find out they didn't know what a balance diet was...I steer clear of canned unless it is BPA free lined cans.

Thank you very much for the update! Diet for pets (and us) is confusing at times. I still think my dogs do great on the Gentle Giants brand that has peas. I add pumpkin and other whole foods at times to mix it up...I have pugs so getting them to eat is never a problem! Any tips for owners of brachialsphalic dog breeds?

What about Visionary Keto dry Dog food is it any good?

Ordered your supplements and making dog and cat food now Use better kibble for puzzles and treats All our pets are looking great- thanks

Awesome and shared!!

What should I feed my 11 week old GSD puppy?

Love you Dr. Jones.

You answered all my questions. Thank you so much!

I don't see the link for the stew recipe? I would like to make it

Love you made this video. I've been curious about grain free. Not the culprit. Thank you

Thanks for the update!

Thank you for ALL your knowledge!!!

Thank you, doctor, for this important information.

if you care about phytates, just soak lentils overnight, or even let them make litle sprouts, then cook them.

cosistantly great information. Thanks Doc.

My Vet Put My Dog on Pro Plan Veterinary Diet. Urinary Ox. Bc she had a Urinary Tract infection before. My Pup Really don't like the Food at all. Its very Expensive. I looked at the Ingredients its really no different from the other Dry dog food. I wonder should I Keep buying it for her. Please Help. I also Seeb one of the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary food was Recalled a Few days ago.

Such an important video ! Thank you 💗

1 1/2 yrs ago my dog was diagnosed with a heart murmur which the Vets assistant told me was because of the grain free food (Blue Buffalo) I was feeding him. So I changed to Lamb and Brown Rice. When I got him from the SPCA they said he had heartworm but the vet I was sent to BY the SPCA took another test and said he didn't have it. 2 years later my vet said he had heartworm and they wanted to give him arsenic which I refused and another vet I took him too, put him on Doxicyclin for a year and he was cured. Then a year later he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. I've changed vets a few times but am really confused. He is now on Vetmedin and Lasix and seems ok with a rare cough. Can a heart murmur be cured? He eats primarily my food and then his own when he feels like it. Feeding today is so confusing.

Thank you for this important information!

It would not seem that animals eat grain Thomas so I don't see why grain is in their food. They do eat grass and fruits and vegetables

Thanks so much for this video! Much appreciated,

❤ love Tula

I feed my 2 dogs an 80/10/10 raw diet. 80% muscle meat, 10% bones, 10% organ meat, and add a little supplements to that.

My 10 year old Labrador was just diagnosed with DCM. He has been on a grain free diet most of his life. My veterinarian has recently added supplements, including taurine, plus we’ve just started to switch his protein based diet to a cardio diet. However, It is a kibble. Is this not a good idea? It is high in omegas. But, it is a kibble diet. I really want to do what is best for him and his outcome.

My 7 year old Setter has just been diagnosed with a enlarged heart what food is best to give her?

I like goat milk Keefer And share it with my dog. It's a great Probiotic

Great tip as usual

Please help. Allergic british bulldogs. Grains of any kind he cannot do. Please suggest a diet. Chicken no good. Fish he hates. Beef he itches. Desperate.

I dont see a link to recipes. I would like to homemake my doggies food rather, so what recipe should i follow? Thank you so much for speaking up and helping so much ❤ i am already using your supplement powder in her food, i just want to be sure the food combination is good.

An important public service video for sure, Doctor and I thank you for the follow up. Still, I am disappointed and not surprised that the names of the dry dog food that has some relationship with this fatal heart disease has still not been disclosed. My beagle Honey hung on for 14 months with this horrible condition. The drug Vetmedin extended her life with us, but for the last 5 months or so, it was hard for her, with weekly drainings of her abdomen from built up fluids. Although the odds of your dog getting this condition is small, when your number comes up, it is always a heartbreaking and fatal outcome & it rips your own heart into two.

What about dog kibble that sais Pea Starch? Im gping to feed my new puppy Farmina. Most the protein is from meat.

Thank you!

I need help! One of my rescue dogs had distemper. He's fine now, however, he's overweight. He takes a strong medication every day for his epilepsy. He's been on diets but nothing seems to work. He needs to lose at least 4 lbs. I give him CBD oil so I don't have to increase his meds.

Whats up Doc 🥕 What about diamond dog food grain free? what are your thought on that?

Another great video the out there

I can’t find the diet you were talking about. Different recipies

I make my dogs food but it's driving me nuts... I have 6 little dogs... Its always, one won't eat it or picks through it or they get sick and vomit and have diarrhea... Rice = Vomit, Peas they hate, Carrots Ok in small amounts, Some don't like Sweet Potato, Chicken they love but sometimes = diarrhea, Beef sometimes is good and the next time diarrhea... I'm losing my mind with this... they won't touch kibble or can dog food... I have tried raw and some will eat it and others won't touch it...

I don't see the mentioned recipes below the video?

Great video. I swear this an get frustrating.. what do you think about fromm 4 star beef grain free?

brilliant info yet again, thank you. Can a dog who is on wet cooked food, get a raw piece of chicken every now and then? Or should stay with cooked

My dogs food contains a little pea fibre, so Is pea fibre ok?

Those calculations are only based on those you know, I know you can't know what you don't know, but I would guess its higher.