Taste of the Wild Grain Free BEWARE

mare54 · ‎08-14-2011

Please be aware of this dog food. My daughter has a sheepadoodle who's heart was damaged by this dog food. She unknowly fed it to both her dogs because one of them had a stomach sensitivity. So she decided to feed it to both of them. Well Belle - the sheepadoodle nearly died. She has developed Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy caused from a grain free diet. She's on heart meds that will probably just prolong her life. She is 5 years old. The other dog wasn't affected. So please be aware of this danger. I think there is a lawsuit against Taste of the Wild.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@mare54 - There is still ongoing research into this issue.

It may be that grain-free food for dogs lacks something essential for them. The ASPCA says that a supplement of the amino acid taurine, may help them recover from DCM.

Any food that substitutes peas and/or lentils for traditional grains, may cause the same health issue.

It's awful - we want to do the best for our furbabies and then something like this happens. I hope your daughter's dog recovers in time.

(I feel just as strongly about clumping clay litter that has killed cats from being ingested, but it continues to be sold because it's cheap.)

Tori3569 · ‎06-27-2010

I've been hearing about heart related issues from a grain free diet for a few years now. It's not just Taste of the Wild, it any grain free food. I wish more bets would bring it up on visits, so the word got out more quickly.

moonandthestars · ‎03-11-2010

Wow, I haven't heard this before. Why would a grain free diet cause heart issues in dogs? (cats too?) I thought actually grains were not good for them. I could see it perhaps being hard on the kidneys over time with maybe too much protein, but the heart, not sure what the issue would be. Does anyone know?

moonandthestars · ‎03-11-2010

I did a quick google search and not sure I've really been able to understand it yet, but perhaps the food is lacking certain nutrients. I thought though that prepared foods always added in the essential nutrients, just as you need to do if you are home cooking.

But the problem may be something else .....

Scary!

Josmad · ‎12-10-2018

@moonandthestars wrote:
Wow, I haven't heard this before. Why would a grain free diet cause heart issues in dogs? (cats too?) I thought actually grains were not good for them. I could see it perhaps being hard on the kidneys over time with maybe too much protein, but the heart, not sure what the issue would be. Does anyone know?

Most if not all grain free dog foods lack taurine which is a supplement that dogs need.

moonandthestars · ‎03-11-2010

I know that is an essential nutrient, I'm so surprised because I thought that all the prepared foods had that added. also the supporting animo acids are needed too and thought those were also added. @Josmad

Another new name Sue · ‎03-11-2010

I've known of this possibility for some time, so if I'm feeding a grain-free kibble, I make brown rice or oatmeal as a topping. Right now I'm feeding Blue Buff. chicken/brown ride. My vet says grains are fine for dogs.

Dazlin · ‎03-14-2010

Dogs need Grains in their diet!

Dazlin · ‎03-14-2010

Taste of the Wild also makes Ancient grains. For a less expensive brand, their sister company also makes Diamond Natural. I switched my Lab, Gabriel to Diamond Natural sensitive skin/stomach...mainly for his coat. Hes doing great and his coat is much softer. The company is owned by the same manufacturers as TOW.