The issue doesnt appear to the fact that grains arent present but what is present. Diets in cases reported to the FDA frequently list potatoes or multiple legumes such as peas, lentils, other pulses (seeds of legumes), and their protein, starch and fiber derivatives early in the ingredient list, indicating that they are main ingredients. https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm613305.htm
Seems to me this is a case of crying wolf. That report is very inconclusive. I don't know why they would put something like this out until they have more information.
I do have an interest as I am currently feeding my Brittany, who is an allergy dog, a grain-free, limited ingredient food that contains peas, pea flour and chickpeas. But I'm not going to worry about it until there is some concrete evidence that it's a problem. Besides, it appears to be more of a problem in large breeds.
Seems to me this is a case of crying wolf. That report is very inconclusive. I don't know why they would put something like this out until they have more information.
I do have an interest as I am currently feeding my Brittany, who is an allergy dog, a grain-free, limited ingredient food that contains peas, pea flour and chickpeas. But I'm not going to worry about it until there is some concrete evidence that it's a problem. Besides, it appears to be more of a problem in large breeds.
In the 50s and 60s my mother raised dogs, she made all her own dog food. Entirely of grains, ground beef trimmings and molasses.
She cooked it in the basement, man that smelled good enough to eat myself.
I thought about making my own out of the deer I shoot.
In my 20 years as a veterinary nutritionist, I’ve seen vast improvements in our knowledge about pet nutrition, in the quality of commercial pet foods, and in our pets’ nutritional health (other than the unfortunate rise in obesity). However, in the last few years I’ve seen more cases of nutritional deficiencies due to people feeding unconventional diets, such as unbalanced home-prepared diets, raw diets, vegetarian diets, and boutique commercial pet foods.
In many cases it's not the grains to blame but the protein source.
If the issue is taurine, it's not found in cereal grains either. So whether the pet food makers use corn/wheat/potatoes/lentils makes no difference with respect to taurine levels. Taurine is primarily found in muscle meat; poultry has higher amounts than beef/lamb/venison/etc.
https://www.onlynaturalpet.com/holi...-importance-of-taurine-for-dogs-and-cats.aspx
Admittedly that's a pet food producer touting their own product but I believe they are correct about where taurine is found.
Interesting bit there about the history of dry dog food. I didn't realize WW2 figured into the transition so much.
It may be the cows at Chik-Fil-A have it right:
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:thumbsup: You are absolutely correct. Since taurine is not found in cereal grains what difference would it make if they use corn, potatoes or legumes?
However, the basic reason <reason for DCM - Chestle> remains the same for dogs as cats: there isn’t enough real meat in the food to sustain a meat-eating predator like a dog or cat. The vast majority of dry pet foods out there contain little or no real meat, but instead use cheaper substitutes like grain proteins (corn gluten, wheat gluten, soy protein), and by-products such as meat and bone meal.