tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213234239769123123.post4924352916659517159..comments2023-09-26T08:40:28.832-04:00Comments on MOVED TO ALLTRADESDVM.COM | Doc Of All Trades: Should I Switch Diets? Grain-Free, DCM, and the FDA. Caitlin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912507770411644461noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213234239769123123.post-81904500538767321622020-03-01T10:15:24.634-05:002020-03-01T10:15:24.634-05:00For consumers adamant on avoiding grains in their ...For consumers adamant on avoiding grains in their dogs foods, as well as some of the other concerns you've highlighted that are not intrinsically linked to grain-inclusive foods, they can still mitigate the risk of DCM by choosing a grain-free wet food from a reputable manufacturer, and checking to be sure that the food is free of pulse legumes and potatoes. <br /><br />For those insistent on a grain-free dry food, they are probably safest utilizing a grain-free food low in whole pulse legumes and from a reputable manufacturer, though it's still an unnecessary risk. Caitlin Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912507770411644461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213234239769123123.post-62451360558579176762020-03-01T10:11:31.594-05:002020-03-01T10:11:31.594-05:00Hey Anon!
Mycotoxins (including both aflatoxins a...Hey Anon!<br /><br />Mycotoxins (including both aflatoxins and vomitoxins) are a risk in any commercial dog food, and are more likely to be present in grain-inclusive formulas (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24734306.2019.1648636) but a responsible and reputable manufacturer will have quality control measures in place to reduce or eliminate the presence of such contaminants in their feed. As you can see in the linked piece, not all grain formulas have a presence of mycotoxins, and those that do fall below the accepted levels. An important principle in toxicology is that "the dose makes the poison." Many substances that are essential for life (such as Vitamin A) are also highly toxic at certain doses. However, the existence of an acutely toxic dose should not always lead one to conclude there are adverse effects associated with chronic, low dose exposure. <br /><br />In the case of these mycotoxins, we simply don't know if there are adverse effects to chronic exposure, and what those adverse effects, if any, may be. That is absolutely an area for research, but as it stands right now, the increased risk of low level mycotoxin exposure in grain-inclusive diets does not necessarily indicate a "scientific benefit" to grain free diets. <br /><br />It does serve as an example of why consumers should be discerning in selecting their pet food manufacturer, particularly in regards to quality control measures. <br /><br />BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are safe preservatives for dog foods. This is not up for debate, if we are talking about "scientific" benefits. That said, their absence is not an inherent trait of a "grain free" diet. Grain-inclusive diets can also utilize alternative preservatives. <br /><br />The presence or absence of dyes is not an issue of GI vs GF. Nor is the use of unnamed animal sources. <br /><br />If you have a source validating comparative meat percentages in GI and GF foods, as well as a supplemental source validating health benefits observed in dogs that eat a diet with a higher percentage of meat present within it, please do so. <br /><br />Dogs are not horses or cows, and this thread is not the place to get into explaining comparative physiology. The effect of corn and other grains on glucose levels is dependent upon the complete profile of the diet in question, as there are no commercial pet foods that consist solely of corn or another grain. <br /><br />Additionally, no one single ingredient holds a complete amino acid profile. Part of formulating a dog food is combining ingredients to create a complete and diverse amino acid profile, along with other essential nutrients, like dietary fatty acids. <br /><br />Again, there are no documented scientific benefits that a grain-free diet is necessary for dogs or superior for maintaining canine health. There are, however, prominent documented risks associated with feeding grain-free diets, particularly those high in pulse legumes. This likely boils down less to the lack of grains and more to the lack of research and expert input into these foods, but nonetheless, the diets do not appear safe for dogs as it stands right now. <br />Caitlin Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912507770411644461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213234239769123123.post-30747650152156956152020-03-01T09:44:24.820-05:002020-03-01T09:44:24.820-05:00Hey Anon!
I'm sorry you feel that way. The gro...Hey Anon!<br />I'm sorry you feel that way. The group I linked is operated by several veterinarians and multiple other pet professionals. Additionally, there are a multitude of boarded veterinary nutritionists and veterinary cardiologists that contribute to the group! This includes advising the admin team and providing content for the evidence-based learning units within the group. Furthermore, this group has compiled data on case reports very similar to the limited release offered by the FDA. All cases within the group has been confirmed by review of veterinary records. As it serves as an invaluable resource for those looking to learn more about this very concerning, developing issue, I've provided a link. <br /><br />If you'd like to discuss any of the actual content of the article,I'm happy to amend any mistakes or clarify anything that doesn't quite make sense. <br /><br />Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment!<br /><br />CaitlinCaitlin Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912507770411644461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213234239769123123.post-17968522181092058622020-02-06T19:55:59.750-05:002020-02-06T19:55:59.750-05:00Sure there's benefits to grain-free - no mycot...Sure there's benefits to grain-free - no mycotoxins, aflatoxins, vomitoxins, melamine...also I've never seen a grain-free dog food use BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin as preservatives (the safety of them is highly debatable, and many anecdotal stories abound of seizures on foods with these ingredients. Plus grain-free foods don't use dyes, typically don't use unnamed animal sources (pentobarbital anyone?) and most grain-free use a higher meat % than grain-inclusive, which is where you find the taurine, carnitine etc. Corn and other grains spike glucose levels, cause ulcers in horses and cows, and don't contain as complete an amino acid profile as meat does. So yes, there are scientific benefits to grain-free.hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03979173540668423822noreply@blogger.com