Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian at Wellness Natural Pet Food, personally feeds her 16-year-old Border Collie, Megs, the company’s Wellness CORE diet. Megs suffers from canine atopic dermatitis, a condition that caused severe redness and itching, requiring daily medication. Dr. Bernal says that the Wellness CORE Ocean formula has helped Megs avoid common allergens like grains and certain proteins.
More importantly, the diet’s high natural omega fatty acids from salmon have reduced her skin inflammation. After three months on this diet, Megs regained a soft coat and normal color, and now only needs medication once a month for occasional flare-ups.
Meanwhile, the FDA is investigating a possible connection between some grain-free dog foods and a heart disease called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Dr. Lindsay Butzer, a small-animal veterinarian and partner with PetMeds, says more research is needed to fully understand this link and its effects.
She advises dog owners to work closely with their veterinarians to find the best diet for their pets. For dogs currently on grain-free diets without heart problems, veterinarians may suggest regular heart health monitoring and considering a diet change if issues appear. For dogs already diagnosed with DCM or other heart conditions, a diet change and appropriate treatment will likely be recommended.
Related Topics:
