Pet industry is seeing boom in alternative diets

from 400 Life April 2022

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: How to navigate cases of medical negligence

Story by M. Gillan Ritchie

Wellness – it isn’t just for humans anymore. Since the pandemic, more people are focusing on physical and mental well-being. But improving the quality of life isn’t just about mankind. Exercise regimens and alternative diets have extended to furry, four-legged companions over the last two years.

In 2021, nearly 1 million animals were adopted in the United States while birth rates declined – both statistics can be attributed to the pandemic. Many pet owners, primarily younger adults, are devoting more time and consideration to what their companions consume.

When Kelly Peak and her husband, Mike Tompkins, adopted their second greyhound, Bear, the animal rescue advised that the dog should be on an alternative diet because of his sensitive digestive system.

Their other dog, Barney, was already on a grain-free diet so they decided to use the same food for Bear. But Bear didn’t respond well to the diet.

“We tried various kinds of food and found one that he liked and didn’t throw off his stomach,” Peak said.

Bear, now on a low-fat diet, is just one of many pets in the U.S. on an alternative diet.

The pet wellness industry has been seeing a boom in raw food, vegan and vegetarian, gluten-free, and grain-free diets. There’s even specialty items like immune support for dogs and cats, and daily nutritional greens supplement.

With so many different food options available to pet owners, it can be hard to decide what to feed pets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require pet food products to have pre-market approval.

The FDA’s website states that products should be made out of safe ingredients and have an appropriate function within pet food. Outside of that, guidance from the FDA on pet food ingredients is vague.

But in July 2018, the FDA announced its investigation of a potential link between grain-free diets and non-hereditary canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). According to the FDA, anything that is labeled as “grain-free” contains high levels of peas, lentils, other legume seeds, and/or potatoes in various forms within the first 10 ingredients. DCM cases previously reported to the FDA include dog breeds that aren’t previously known to have a genetic predisposition to DCM.

Some pet health experts are cautioning against alternative diets due to misinformation on the internet and the lack of regulation currently from the FDA. Alternative diets – whether for humans or pets – aren’t backed by substantial research, and pets become at risk for potential health problems.

“Due to the potential link for grain-free and legume heavy diets (peas, lentils, etc.) to cause diet related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) we recommend feeding all the dogs in our care a complete diet including grains and ideally one of the three major brands (Royal Canin, Purina, and Science Diet) to avoid any potential risk for dietrelated heart disease,” said Sam Orr, vet director of Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. ”We also consult with our valued vet partners for nutritional advice to make sure we are doing the best thing for each individual dog.”

Despite the FDA’s investigation into grain-free diets and DCM, there has been a significant increase in the number and sales of foods and treats over the last decade. According to Dr. Stephanie Clark, a board-certified companion animal nutritionist at BSM Partners, there is no research that indicates a definitive connection between grain-free diets and DCM.

“Our team of animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and veterinary cardiologists is undertaking projects to help bridge the gaps in DCM research,” Dr. Clark said. “We recently collected cases of DCM from around the country diagnosed by veterinary cardiologists and found no significant increase in DCM cases in recent years, while at the same time sales of grain-free pet food rose 500%. Another study we are actively working on is evaluating the relationship between nutrition and canine cardiac disease.”

As misinformation continues to spread on social media platforms, pet owners feel a sense of distrust with their veterinarians and veterinarians feel frustration as a result. Animals have different dietary needs from humans – what works for pet owners will more than likely not work for their pet.

Diets such as raw food can be very dangerous for pets because of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meats, and homemade meals lack certain nutrients. There are also certain foods that pets can’t digest and detoxify from their bodies such as onion and garlic.

“At a September 2020 symposium on DCM hosted by Kansas State University, which brought together veterinary nutritionists, cardiologists, researchers, and personnel from the FDA, Dr. Steve Solomon, the director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, noted it is best to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s specific dietary needs based on their health and medical history” Dr. Clark said.

“Moreover, with no reason to believe pulse [lentils, peas, chickpeas, field beans, and cowpeas] ingredients are inherently dangerous, more research is needed to fully understand this issue.”

Every pet is unique and that means that their diet should fit their nutritional needs. Humans may benefit from certain diets and exercise regimens – but that doesn’t mean pets will. If a pet owner has questions about what to feed their companion, they should consult with their vet before making any lifestyle changes.

State University, the screening can detect medication sensitivities in dogs.

Embark, Veterinary, Inc., another well-known company in dog genetics, announced its first-ever canine health discovery at the beginning of March.

Scientists at Embark found a genetic mutation in the EPS8L2 gene which is associated with early-onset adult deafness in Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The research comes after a decade of collaboration between breeders, scientists, and dog breeders. The study was conducted on more than 185 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and used more than 220,000 genetic markers.

“When we started this research over 10 years ago, we knew a discovery in early-onset adult deafness – one of the most common disabilities in humans and dogs – could provide valuable tools for life science companies using regenerative medicine to develop therapeutics for childhood hearing disorders,” said Dr. Mark Neff, Embark senior director of scientific discovery, in a recent press release.

Beyond Curiosity

The majority of DNA tests ordered by pet owners are done to satisfy curiosity about breed identification.

But others, like Kris Chapman of Marietta, use DNA tests with a specific intent. Chapman, a volunteer at Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, has used test kits on foster puppies to identify the breed and help market the puppy for adoption since potential adopters may search for certain breeds or avoid others. According to Chapman, she also uses the test to help rule out breeds that are restricted on a potential adopter’s lease.

Chapman used Wisdom Panel twice and Embark once to test three foster puppies – Ragsdale, Thanos, and Henree. The test showed that Ragsdale was more than 35% Labrador Retriever, Thanos was a mixture of Saint Bernard and German Shepherd, and Henree was 50% Boxer and 16% Bulldog. The DNA test found that each puppy had three or more different breeds in their family trees.

“Identifying a dominant breed helps you know how to work with them as well as making sure you find a home that is a good fit,” Chapman said. “For example, you may know the size that they will grow to be, whether they will be super active or working dogs and may need a fence or large yard or might not be the best ‘starter’ dog. Of course, the results do not predict every dog’s future, but it can serve as a guide.”

Thanos found his furever home with Chapman.

Flaws of Testing

DNA tests offered by Embark and Wisdom, along with other companies such as DNA My Dog, give dog owners the chance to understand everything from personality traits to family tree to allergies.

Despite Wisdom Panel and Embark’s growing databases and resources, DNA testing for dogs and cats is relatively new. Some scientists argue that the accuracy of these tests – or their ability to predict health outcomes – are not validated. Canine and feline genetic tests are also not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and could potentially be misinterpreted by veterinarians or pet owners that don’t understand the limits of testing. Without regulations or peer-reviewed publications reviewing these tests for accuracy, there are risks for potential breed misidentification or misinformation on illnesses.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s health or risks for potential diseases, talk to your veterinarian.