Is Feeding A Grain-Free Food to Our Dogs Dangerous?, with Linda Case

09/29/18 • 49 min

Grain-Free dog food has been all over the news since July 12th and sadly the information the mass media has reported been oversimplified and incomplete. The fact is this is a complex issue.

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from September 29, 2018, Don speaks with canine nutritionist, science writer, and the author of Dog Food Logic Linda Case about this very issue, asking, Is Feeding A Grain-Free Food to Our Dogs Dangerous? Other issues addressed in the show are:

Should dog parents currently feeding their dogs a grain-free diet immediately switch to a non-grain-free dog food?
What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy and what is the role of Taurine in the disease and grain-free foods?
Does the FDA know with 100% certainty that grain-free food is the cause or could it be something else?
There has been some suggestion in posts on Facebook and other places online that one should only purchase dog food that has been tested via AAFCO feeding trials. Is that sound advice?
Is it important for dog parents to review the ingredients label when making decisions about what to feed their dog?

Recommended Resources FDA Reports

FDA Investigating Potential Connection Between Diet and Cases of Canine Heart Disease – 12JUL2018 – https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm613305.htm

Questions & Answers: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Investigation into a Possible Connection Between Diet and Canine Heart Disease – https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm616279.htm

How to Report a Pet Food Complaint – https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm182403.htm

Whole Dog Journal Articles

DCM in Dogs: Taurine's Role in the Canine Diet - What is taurine-deficiency dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and how can dog owners prevent it? (Hint: It involves more than just grain-free foods.) – The Whole Dog Journal – September 2018 – https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/21_9/features/DCM-in-Dogs-Taurines-Role-in-the-Canine-Diet_21901-1.html

Please Don’t Panic About the “Grain-Free Thing” – Whole Dog Journal’s Blog – 2AUG18 – https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/blog/Please-Dont-Panic-About-the-Grain-Free-Thing-21893-1.html

Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

UPDATE! – Pet Nutrition – Grain-Free Foods and FDA Reports of Increased Heart Disease in Dogs – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2018/07/27/update-pet-nutrition-grain-free-foods-and-fda-reports-of-increased-heart-disease-in-dogs/

Grain-Free Foods and FDA Reports of Increased Heart Disease in Dogs – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2018/07/22/pet-nutrition-grain-free-foods-and-fda-reports-of-increased-heart-disease-in-dogs/

What Do You Feed Your Dog? – http://bit.ly/WhatDoYouFeedYourDog

Some Myths and Facts – Part 1 – My story with Gus – Maine Dog Magazine – Winter 2017 – http://bit.ly/Gus-Nutrition

Book Review – Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack – The paradox of pet nutrition by Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/RuinedByExcess-BookReview

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show ( http://www.woofmeowshow.com ) What do you feed your pets? – http://bit.ly/WhatDoYouFeedYourPets-Podcast Podcast – Pet Nutrition with Dr. Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/DrPatton-Podcast Podcast – Pet Fooled – A Lo...

Grain-Free dog food has been all over the news since July 12th and sadly the information the mass media has reported been oversimplified and incomplete. The fact is this is a complex issue.

Should dog parents currently feeding their dogs a grain-free diet immediately switch to a non-grain-free dog food?
What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy and what is the role of Taurine in the disease and grain-free foods?
Does the FDA know with 100% certainty that grain-free food is the cause or could it be something else?
There has been some suggestion in posts on Facebook and other places online that one should only purchase dog food that has been tested via AAFCO feeding trials. Is that sound advice?
Is it important for dog parents to review the ingredients label when making decisions about what to feed their dog?

Recommended Resources FDA Reports

FDA Investigating Potential Connection Between Diet and Cases of Canine Heart Disease – 12JUL2018 – https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm613305.htm

How to Report a Pet Food Complaint – https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm182403.htm

Whole Dog Journal Articles

Please Don’t Panic About the “Grain-Free Thing” – Whole Dog Journal’s Blog – 2AUG18 – https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/blog/Please-Dont-Panic-About-the-Grain-Free-Thing-21893-1.html

Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

What Do You Feed Your Dog? – http://bit.ly/WhatDoYouFeedYourDog

Some Myths and Facts – Part 1 – My story with Gus – Maine Dog Magazine – Winter 2017 – http://bit.ly/Gus-Nutrition

Book Review – Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack – The paradox of pet nutrition by Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/RuinedByExcess-BookReview

Previous Episode

Rabies with Dr. Dave Cloutier from the Veazie Veterinary Clinic

In the past few months, the news has been filled with stories about rabid wildlife in Maine. Rabies is a dangerous disease so we thought it would be appropriate to discuss it on the show. Don and Dr. Cloutier from the Veazie Veterinary Clinic discuss Rabies, why it is so dangerous to people, pets, and wildlife, the animals most likely to carry Rabies, how to recognize a potentially rabid animal, how Rabies is treated in both animals and people, and why vaccinating ALL dogs and cats is so important.

You can hear The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://www.wzonthepulse.com or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ and the Apple iTunes store.

#WoofMeowShow #Rabies #VeazieVeterinaryClinic

Next Episode

The P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center in Camden

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from Saturday, October 13th, Don travels to Camden where he interviews Brandi Moore and Claire Brunner of the P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center where Claire is the Director of Animal Sheltering and Brandi is the Director of Programs and P.A.W.S. resident Dog Trainer.

Don, Claire, and Brandi discuss the history of P.A.W.S., their mission, vision and core values. We also talk about how PAWS is governed and financed and then get into the details of the dogs and cats P.A.W.S. cares for and rehomes. Claire informs us how potential adopters can learn about the pets currently at P.A.W.S. and then explains how you can apply to adopt one of these marvelous furry companions. Even if you do not reside in the immediate Camden area, the P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center is a shelter you will want to visit, either online or better yet in person, if you are looking for a kitten, puppy, dog or cat.

Brandi concludes our show by telling us about several upcoming events at P.A.W.S. including their annual auction on Thursday, November 29th and a presentation Don will be doing on Saturday, November 10th entitled Understanding Dog Behavior, How Dogs Learn, and the Best Ways to Train Them. The show concludes with a discussion of how you can help the P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center in Camden and how you can find both their facility and website and Facebook page. Don asks that you please “Like” them.

Don’s Seminar at P.A.W.S. on Saturday, November 10th

Please join Don when he presents the latest science on dog behavior, how dogs learn, and the most effective and humane ways to train our furry friends. In 2015, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reported “Mistaken or misinformed beliefs...” about canine behavior and training are a significant reason people experience behavior problems with their dog, along with the continued use of punitive training techniques.

Don’s presentation will address the following questions; What are the myths and facts about canine behavior?, How do dogs learn?, and What is the most humane and effective way to train a dog?

In addition to being the producer and host of The Woof Meow Show, Don is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). You can learn more about Don at http://bit.ly/AboutDonHanson

Understanding Dog Behavior, How Dogs Learn, and the Best Ways to Train Them is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available. This event is brought to you by the PAWS Outreach Committee as part of the Second Saturday Humane Education series.

Let us know if you are interested in the seminar or will be attending at https://www.facebook.com/events/312788389289124/

You can hear The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ and the Apple iTunes store.

P.A.W.S. Contact Info

Address: 123 John Street, Camden, Maine 04843

Phone: 207-236-8702

Website: https://www.pawsadoption.org/ Email: [email protected]

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pawsanimaladoptioncenter/

Recommended Resources Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

Barking – How Do I Get My Dog to Stop Barking? – http://bit.ly/BarkingHelp

Before You Visit the Dog Park – http://bit.ly/BeforeYouVisitTheDogPark

Dog Training – A Rescue Dogs Perspective – WWM JAN2016 – http://bit.ly/Rescue-Muppy

Dominance: Reality or Myth – http://bit.ly/Dominance-Reality...