Grains Do Not Protect the Heart

For five years, there’s been a lot of discussion and controversy around grain-free diets for pets, particularly concerning heart health. We're going to bust some myths and clarify these issues, empowering pet parents with facts and guiding them in making informed decisions for their furry family members.

Background of the Grain-Free Diet Controversy

The scare tactic around grain-free diets for pets, especially concerning heart health, materialized when Dr. Lisa Freeman, a veterinarian on Purina's payroll, a well-known grain-inclusive pet food brand, published a blog suggesting potential risks of grain-free diets. This claim, which had no robust scientific backing or research, was largely anecdotal and sparked widespread concern among pet parents when the media latched onto the story and blew it out of proportion.

Subsequently, when Mars, the biggest player in the pet food industry, acquired Champion Pet Foods in March of 2023, known for its popular grain-free products, funded research to investigate these claims. The study particularly focused on the allegation that lentils and legumes in grain-free foods could prevent the absorption of taurine, an essential amino acid crucial for heart health. This research played a significant role in debunking myths and providing clarity on the matter. The research conducted in April of 2023 proved, lentils and legumes are perfectly safe sources of starch in pet food and do NOT prevent the absorption of taurine.

The Importance of Taurine and Protein-Rich Diets

Taurine is exclusively found in animal-based proteins and is vital for maintaining heart health in pets. Cats, in particular, cannot synthesize taurine and must obtain it from their diet. While dogs can produce taurine, certain breeds or individuals still benefit from taurine-rich foods. This amino acid supports cardiac function, eye health, and more. Therefore, diets rich in meats, especially organ meats like the heart, are essential in ensuring an adequate supply of taurine for your pet.

Questions to Ask Your Vet

As a pet parent, it’s important to have open conversations with your veterinarian about your pet’s diet and heart health. If your vet is suggesting you must feed a grain-inclusive food and not to feed a grain-free diet, here are specific questions you can ask:

Can you provide scientific studies showing the link between grain-free diets and heart disease in pets?

• This question aims to understand the evidence or lack thereof behind the claims against grain-free diets.

• Understanding taurine’s role and how to ensure your pet gets enough of it is crucial for their well-being.

• Certain breeds or pets with specific health conditions might require more dietary taurine.

• This question helps gauge the vet's awareness of the latest research and their stance on it.

• Proactive monitoring can ensure that any potential issues are caught early.

Misconceptions Around Grain-Inclusive Diets

It's important to note that the original claims about the benefits of grains for heart health in pets seem to have originated more from the human nutrition sector, particularly from cereal manufacturers. These claims were not based on human-specific or pet-specific research. The unfounded claims that grains protect the heart were not proven, they were a marketing slogan used to get us to buy more cereal. Understanding the distinct nutritional needs of pets is essential when choosing their diet and we already know, grains are not a natural diet option for carnivores.

Moving Forward: Making Informed Choices for Your Pet

The most important takeaway for pet parents is to make informed decisions based on credible research and proven science. While grain-free diets have been under scrutiny, unbiased studies have shed new light, emphasizing the importance of a balanced, meat-rich diet, nutrient dense, low-carb diet especially for heart health. Always prioritize a diet that caters to your pet's biological needs. We know, cats and dogs have no biological requirement for carbs, so choosing to feed a carb-rich food is oftentimes influenced by the big pet food manufacturers who use a high percentage of grains in their food. Whether you choose to feed a grain-inclusive or a grain-free food is entirely your choice! Knowing that grains do not support the heart will ensure you are choosing a food your pet does well on.

Final Thoughts

As pet parents, our ultimate goal is to provide the best care for our furry family. This includes staying informed about their dietary needs and being aware of the latest research and developments in pet nutrition. By asking the right questions and choosing diets rich in essential nutrients like taurine, we can support our pets' heart health and overall well-being. If you ever find yourself with questions about your pet's diet, specific needs or dietary requirements, we are always happy to help!