An FDA warning about dog food still has many pet owners asking: what's the best diet for my dog?
The warning basically says if you have your dog on one of those boutique 'grain free diets,' it might lead to heart disease.
Many people have their dogs on this exact diet because they've heard dogs in the wild don't eat grains but rather lots of protein.
Now, after this warning, people suddenly had questions on whether they were hurting their pups with this expensive food.
Dr. Denise Ginex of South Tampa Veterinary Care says not to make any quick changes.
"There are still ongoing studies. They haven't made a direct correlation between all grain free foods and heart disease. That's [an] overgeneralization," Dr. Ginex said. "So you just take it one food at a time, and if you have a breed that is predisposed to heart disease such as Dobermans and Boxers and Danes and Irish Wolf Hounds -- also Cocker Spaniels and Labradors -- then you should check with your veterinarian to see if there's anything to change."
Dr. Ginex also says it may not be the protein that's the problem. Check the ingredient list to see what other foods are in there instead of grains.
"Just be judicious in what you use," Dr. Ginex said. "If you have a small batch of pet food that has a lot of lentils or peas or potatoes in it, you should be careful with that and check with your veterinarian if that is safe."
Also, keep in mind: this is just one study. There are more studies being done as we speak. The FDA hasn't recalled any food for this reason.
Dr. Ginex gave 10News two more bits of advice:
- If your dog has been on the same food for several years and is doing great, it's not suddenly going to be a problem.
- If you're worried and can't get to the vet, gradually change back to a grain-in diet while staying away from peas, lentils and potatoes and any exotic proteins.
But to be safe and give you peace of mind, it's best to check with your vet on your next visit.
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