Peas, lentils and DCM in dogs

There has been a concern about grain free diets that have high levels of pea protein and lentils being implicated as a possibe cause of DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) seen in unusual breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Spaniels in the US. How do plant-based diets overcome this possible health risk?

This information is quite correct and has raised alarms with grain free pet food companies not having the valuable addition of both Taurine and its precursor Methionine added to the food when pea protein and lentils are used (See published research here). Both added ingredients are expensive to add and with profit margins in pet food being important, they have held back adding these amino acid nutrients to the grain free meat-based pet foods.

Well formulated plant-based grain free diets are fully aware that there has to be the valuable addition of Taurine, its precursor Methionine, as well as Vit B and Vit C for heart health, plus Omega 3’s from sustainable microalgae sources all to support a healthy heart of whatever breed is fed the food.

We even have grain free plant-based diets now that have NO PEA PROTEIN OR LENTILS in them at all such as Give A Dog A Bean that is a tinned food so ideal for sensitive dogs with storage mite (house dust mite) allergies from dry food, as well as those needing a truly novel protein diet. It uses highly sustainable and palatable faba bean protein as well as quinoa and hemp protein as its protein source.

What of the safety aspect of feeding a dog a nutritionally complete plant-based diet – have there been studies done to prove its efficacy?

Yes, no other pet food has had so many published papers done from around the world showing the safety of the food and its ingredients as shown here with to date 10 positive published studies.
There have been NO studies showing the efficacy and safety of raw feeding, in fact only negative impacts on the health of pets, owners and the environment as shown in this webinar by Prof Rob Foale.
Even insect-based pet foods have had no positive studies, also only negative ones as shown here.

What of the palatability of plant-based foods with fussy dogs? We are aware that Purina HA has to add in pure sugar to make their foods palatable to dogs (the 5th ingredient listed), do plant-based dog food companies do the same?

With the knowledge that Purina HA is highly processed and made from hydrolysed soya as a protein source, pure plant-based diets choose ingredients based on their nutrient profile….and dogs find these ingredients very, very palatable!

See the photos below of practice dogs Harley the Greyhound and Boris the rescue Shi-Tzu eating Give A Dog A Bean scooped out by hand by vet Dr Jo – they loved it! (Even one of the vet nurses tried it and really liked it!!!)