# Grain-Free Dog Food and DCM (2026): What the FDA Actually Found

> What the FDA's DCM investigation found about grain-free dog food, peas and lentils, what it never proved, and how to read the AAFCO statement on the bag.

- Source: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/grain-free-dog-food-and-dcm
- Publisher: PetProofLab (https://petprooflab.com)
- Published: 2026-09-28
- Category: food-feeding
- Tags: grain-free dog food, DCM, dilated cardiomyopathy, FDA, AAFCO statement, dog food labels, pulses
- Quick answer: The FDA has not shown that grain-free food causes DCM in dogs. From 2018 it investigated reports of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating foods high in peas, lentils and other pulses, many labeled grain-free, and found a possible association, not a cause. In December 2022 it said it would publish nothing more until there is meaningful new scientific information, and it has recalled no food over DCM. Its advice is to talk to your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet. On any bag, read the AAFCO statement for the life stage and whether it was formulated or feeding-trial tested.

## Key takeaways

- The FDA investigated reports of DCM in dogs eating foods high in peas, lentils, other pulses and potatoes, many labeled grain-free. It never established that the food caused the disease.
- In its June 2019 update, more than 90 percent of reported products were grain-free and 93 percent contained peas and/or lentils.
- The FDA's current Q&A says reports involve both grain-free and grain-containing foods, and that pulses have no evidence of being inherently dangerous.
- December 23, 2022: the FDA said it does not intend to release further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information. It has not asked for any recall over DCM.
- Read the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: the life stage (growth, adult maintenance or all life stages) and whether it was met by formulation or by feeding trial.
- Change a diet for heart reasons only with your veterinarian; the FDA says they are best placed to advise you.

The FDA did not find that grain-free dog food causes heart disease. It investigated a possible link between dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and foods high in peas, lentils and other pulses, many of them labeled grain-free, and it has never established cause, recalled a food over it, or published an update since December 2022. This page lays out what the agency actually said, with dates, and how to read the one line on a dog food bag that tells you whether the food is complete for your dog's life stage.

**How we chose:** this is a guide to the FDA and AAFCO record, not a food ranking, so it has no product picks; every statement below comes from the FDA, AAFCO or WSAVA page linked beside it, loaded on September 28, 2026.

If your dog already has a heart diagnosis or signs of one, this page is background, not a plan. Diet changes for heart concerns go through your veterinarian ([more on that](https://petprooflab.com/about#veterinary)).

## The FDA's DCM investigation, update by update

| Date | What the FDA published | What it said |
|---|---|---|
| July 2018 | Investigation announced | Reports of DCM in dogs eating foods, many labeled "grain-free," high in peas, lentils, other pulses and/or potatoes |
| February 2019 | First update | Covered investigative activities through November 30, 2018 |
| June 27, 2019 | Third status report | 524 DCM reports from January 1, 2014 to April 30, 2019 (515 dogs, 9 cats); more than 90 percent of reported products grain-free, 93 percent with peas and/or lentils |
| December 23, 2022 | Final public statement | No further public updates "until there is meaningful new scientific information to share" |
| August 19, 2024 | Q&A page last revised | 1,382 dog DCM reports from January 1, 2014 to November 1, 2022; reports involve grain-free and grain-containing diets |

Every row comes from the FDA's [investigation page](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy) or its [Q&A on non-hereditary DCM](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fdas-work-potential-causes-non-hereditary-dcm-dogs).

## What DCM is, in the FDA's words

The FDA's [Q&A](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fdas-work-potential-causes-non-hereditary-dcm-dogs) calls DCM "a disease of a dog's heart muscle" that "results in an enlarged heart." As the chambers dilate, the heart pumps less well and valves may leak, which can lead to fluid building up in the chest and abdomen, or congestive heart failure.

The disease is not new. The FDA's [investigation page](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy) says DCM "is recognized as a genetic condition in dogs, typically in large or giant breeds, such as the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, or the Irish Wolfhound," and is also seen in Cocker Spaniels with taurine deficiency. What caught the agency's attention in 2018 was that many reports involved breeds "not previously known to have a genetic predisposition to the disease."

The part owners should hold on to is a sentence from the Q&A: veterinary cardiologists report "some good results in improving heart function in non-hereditary DCM cases, unlike genetic forms of DCM, with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification, when caught early." Catching it early is a vet's job, with an exam and usually an echocardiogram, not something a food label can tell you.


## What the June 2019 report found

The June 2019 update is the one most articles quote, and it holds the numbers people remember. Between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM: 515 in dogs and 9 in cats. The FDA says most were submitted after it went public in July 2018.

To look at the diets, the FDA checked each reported product's label. It counted a food as grain-free if it "did not contain corn, soy, wheat, rice, barley or other grains." The result: "More than 90 percent of products were 'grain-free', and 93 percent of reported products had peas and/or lentils. A far smaller proportion contained potatoes."

It also tested foods. Vet-LIRN, the FDA's lab network, found that average protein, fat, taurine, cystine, methionine and resistant starch on a dry matter basis "were similar for both grain-free labeled and grain-containing products." Nearly all the grain-free products were above AAFCO's minimum methionine-cystine level for adult dogs. In other words, the testing did not turn up an obvious missing nutrient.

The report named the brands that appeared in ten or more reports. The FDA's later Q&A says it is not planning to update that list, because "several pet food companies have adjusted diet formulations since our initial announcements." A 2019 brand count tells you little about what is in a bag in 2026.

## What the FDA never found

Four things the FDA has said, in its own words, that rarely make the headlines:

- **No proven cause.** The December 2022 statement says adverse event numbers "can be a potential signal of an issue" but "by themselves, they do not supply sufficient data to establish a causal relationship with reported product(s)."
- **Not just grain-free.** The [Q&A](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fdas-work-potential-causes-non-hereditary-dcm-dogs) says the FDA "has received reports of non-hereditary DCM associated with both grain-free and grain-containing diets." What most of the diets share is "legume seed ingredients, also called 'pulses' (e.g., peas, lentils, etc.), high in their ingredient lists." Soy is a legume, but the FDA says it "did not see a signal associated with this ingredient."
- **Pulses are not labeled dangerous.** Legumes and pulses "have been used in pet foods for many years, with no evidence to indicate they are inherently dangerous." The FDA's data show they are "likely used in many 'grain-free' diets in greater proportion than in most grain-containing formulas."
- **No recall.** Asked whether it has requested recalls, the FDA says it "has no definitive information indicating that the diets are inherently unsafe and need to be removed from the market."

The agency's summary of where things stand: "The FDA does not know the specific connection between these diets and cases of non-hereditary DCM and is continuing to explore the role of genetics, underlying medical conditions, and/or other factors."

The Q&A also warns that the counts are shaky in both directions. Reports are voluntary and "likely do not reflect the true incidence of the disease," and reports tend to rise right after the FDA issues a public update. The June 2019 report noted a reporting bias for Golden Retrievers, driven by breed social media groups urging owners to file.


## Where things stand now

On December 23, 2022, the FDA added a note to the top of its [investigation page](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy): "FDA does not intend to release further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information to share." The same day it added a report count to the Q&A: 1,382 reports of DCM in dogs from January 1, 2014 to November 1, 2022. The FDA says those counts include every report that simply stated a DCM diagnosis, not only the ones confirmed with a cardiologist's records.

The Q&A was last revised on August 19, 2024. It says reports continue to arrive "but at lower levels than experienced from 2018 through 2020," and that the FDA will "provide additional updates to notify the public if or when substantive scientific information comes to light." As of September 28, 2026 there is no newer update on either page.

No grain-free food appears on our [pet product recall page](https://petprooflab.com/recalls) for DCM, because the FDA has not requested any DCM recall. That page tracks FDA and CPSC pet recalls, so it is the place to check a specific brand for other problems.

## What the FDA tells owners to do

The FDA's advice has been the same since 2019, and it is short. From the [Q&A](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fdas-work-potential-causes-non-hereditary-dcm-dogs): "Because every dog is unique and has their own nutritional needs, your veterinarian is in the best position to advise you on how to best feed your dog. Please consult your veterinarian to discuss before making a change in your dog's diet." It adds that vets may consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Watch for the signs. The [investigation page](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy) lists "decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse" and says to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, or seek emergency care if the signs are severe and your vet is unavailable. Your vet may ask for a full diet history, including treats, so keep the bag or at least a photo of its label.

For Golden Retriever owners, the same page notes that Goldens may be genetically predisposed to taurine deficiency, and that owners who suspect a problem "may wish to consult their veterinarian to discuss checking taurine levels or conducting an echocardiogram."

**Key point:** swapping foods on your own is not a heart treatment. If your dog has signs of heart disease, the diet change is one part of a plan your vet builds around test results.


## How to read the AAFCO statement on the bag

Whatever you feed, one line on the bag tells you whether it can be your dog's whole diet. The FDA's page on [complete and balanced pet food](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food) says to look at the nutritional adequacy statement: if it includes the phrase "complete and balanced," the food "is intended to be fed as a pet's sole diet."

AAFCO's [guide to reading labels](https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/) calls this statement "perhaps the most important part of a label," and says it is almost always on the back or side of the bag in small print. It comes in a fixed format, which makes foods easy to compare. There are three main versions:

1. **By formulation:** "[Product] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for [life stage]." The recipe was built to hit AAFCO's nutrient levels.
2. **By feeding trial:** "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [product] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [life stage]." AAFCO says its procedures are "standardized feeding protocols that define how feeding trials are to be conducted and assessed."
3. **By family:** "[Product] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [life stage] and is comparable to a product which has been substantiated using AAFCO feeding tests." AAFCO says this is not used often and covers products similar, but not identical, to one that went through a trial.

Then check the life stage. AAFCO recognizes gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance and all life stages. The FDA explains that AAFCO keeps two dog profiles, one for growth and reproduction and one for adult maintenance, and that adult food "contains lower levels of some nutrients." The WSAVA [guidelines](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf) add that diets labeled for all life stages "are formulated for reproduction and growth." For a puppy, our [puppy food guide](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food) reads the growth statement off six makers' pages and explains the 70 lb wording large breeds need. For an older dog, our [senior dog food guide](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/senior-dog-food) explains why a senior food still carries an adult maintenance statement, and our [Pro Plan vs Science Diet comparison](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/purina-pro-plan-vs-hills-science-diet) reads two brands' statements line by line.


Two lines to watch for:

- **"Intermittent or supplemental feeding only."** AAFCO says this appears on some therapeutic diets that limit certain nutrients below what a normal animal needs. It is not a food to feed alone unless your vet prescribed it.
- **Treats.** AAFCO does not require treats to meet nutritional adequacy rules if the package says "snack" or "treat" on the front.

The FDA adds a warning of its own: "Endorsements and seals of approval from other organizations are not assurances of nutritional adequacy and may be misleading."

## Questions the WSAVA says to ask a food maker

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association publishes [guidelines on selecting pet foods](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf) (updated March 10, 2021) for vets and owners. It says terms like "holistic" or "premium" are unregulated and "of little practical value." Its questions for a brand:

- **Do they employ a nutritionist?** It names a PhD in animal nutrition or board certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition or its European equivalent as appropriate qualifications.
- **Who formulates the diet?** An experienced formulator with an MS or PhD in animal nutrition, a veterinarian, or a pet owner, breeder or trainer.
- **What quality control do they run** on ingredients and finished products?
- **What research have they done,** and is it published in peer-reviewed journals?

On the label itself, WSAVA says to look for the adequacy statement, whether it was met by feeding trial or formulation, calories per gram or serving, and a phone number or email. Its bottom line: "If the manufacturer cannot or will not provide any of this information, veterinarians and owners should be cautious about feeding that brand."

These are questions to ask, not a pass or fail list. They are also a good starting point for a conversation with your vet if you are weighing a grain-free diet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does grain-free dog food cause DCM?

The FDA has not established that it does. It found that many DCM reports involved foods high in peas, lentils and other pulses, often labeled grain-free, but it says it does not know the specific connection and that report counts alone cannot prove cause.

### Is the FDA still investigating grain-free food and DCM?

It has stopped publishing updates. On December 23, 2022 it said it would release no more until there is meaningful new scientific information, and its Q&A, last revised August 19, 2024, says the FDA and outside researchers are still examining the issue.

### Should I switch my dog off a grain-free food?

Talk to your veterinarian first. The FDA says your vet is best placed to advise you and asks owners to consult them before changing a dog's diet; the vet may bring in a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

### What are the signs of DCM in a dog?

The FDA lists decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, or get emergency care if the signs are severe.

### What does "formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles" mean?

The recipe was designed to meet AAFCO's nutrient levels for the stated life stage. The other main route is a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures, where the food was fed to animals under a standard protocol.

---

*PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This guide summarizes FDA, AAFCO and WSAVA publications for general information. It is not veterinary advice.*

## Sources

- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: [Fda investigation potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: [Q&A on non-hereditary DCM](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fdas-work-potential-causes-non-hereditary-dcm-dogs)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: [Complete and balanced pet food](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food)
- Association of American Feed Control Officials: [Reading labels](https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels)
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association: [Guidelines](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf)

---
Last updated: 2026-09-28
Canonical URL: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/grain-free-dog-food-and-dcm
How to cite: "Grain-Free Dog Food and DCM (2026): What the FDA Actually Found", PetProofLab, https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/grain-free-dog-food-and-dcm (checked 2026-09-28).
Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate PetProofLab earns from qualifying purchases. Safety information summarizes public guidance and is not medical advice.