Comments on: Dogs Are Still Dying From Grain Free Diets

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:59:05 +0000

In reply to Peter. Hi Peter. It’s unlikely that adding grains to these diets will make them safer, as most people suspect the diets themselves contain substances that interfere with taurine uptake or metabolism. There’s sure to be a solution for your dog’s problem that doesn’t require the use of grain free diets.

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 05:31:55 +0000

Hi Andrew. Thanks for the article.
I’m wondering about adding grain to doggo’s diet myself – does brown (or white) rice fulfil the requirements?
We’ve tried some dried foods that include grains and had significant change in stools. She gets a bit of mince, pumpkin and rice added to her dry food and we’re wondering if that will do the job

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 21:39:14 +0000

In reply to Janet & Warren. Hi Janet. You’ll find answers to these questions by following the links found in this article. They explain the difference in regulation between Australian food and food from the USA and Europe.

By: Janet & Warren

Janet & Warren — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 10:19:47 +0000

Hello Dr Andrew, reading your comments /concerns regarding Australian Dog food being unregulated, has brought me to you to request your assistance if at all possible.

My dog for various reasons is now eating an Australia brand (bought at a pet store) and I am now worried if we have done the wrong thing. It’s a grain free salmon kibble which he absolutely loves and is just about to complete the first 3kg bag. After reading a few of the above blogs and your kind responses I’m now concerned we have made the wrong choice.

We actually asked (the large Pet Store) if the products they are selling are regulated and we were advised yes, they are if they are sold in pet stores but not if the foods are purchased in supermarkets.

How can we ever make informed decisions when the information provided changes from one place to another. Is there some tell tail sign on packaging that gives us a hint.

My head remains to spin wondering if I am looking after my dog to my best ability.

I understand if you are unable to comment, I just wish I didn’t have to bother you but we do follow your site and thoroughly enjoy your effort, ethics and advice.

By: Susan Borg

Susan Borg — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 03:52:51 +0000

Yes I DO NOT buy Australian Made Dog food NO more until Australian Made pet foods are REGULATED..
I rotate my boy kibble brands – 1 brand is Royal Canin.
Royal Canin Pet food is a really good brand. R/C is made in France Europe. Europe have Strict Pet Food laws in the world also they use Dehydrated Chicken , Dehydrated meat is heaps better quality, the meat is NOT cooked & cooked till the meat has no nurtrience left..
My staffy suffers with IBD & Allergies the only food he started to get better on was Royal Canin dog food, also I rescued a cat her back leg would give way when walking & running, I started her on Royal Canin Light Weight Cat dry/wet food, her wobbly back leg got better & stopped colapsing when she was walking & running. R/C is properly balanced & now she’s finally getting what was missing in her diet.

By: Jessica (aka NutritionRVN)

Jessica (aka NutritionRVN) — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 23:00:57 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing Dr Andrew. I am consistently trying to explain to people that just because we haven’t seen many cases here in Australia, it doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem here. Like you mentioned, cardiologists are few and far between, so to get a diagnosis is difficult. It’s most likely due to underreporting, rather than a true freedom from cases. I continue to recommend my clients to steer clear of these diets and alert them to the concerns around this condition – thank you so much for sharing this case with us.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 21:28:07 +0000

In reply to Parker. Hi Parker. That’s a very good thought but I’m also afraid that such hardline advice will be unacceptable to most. With the current state of pet food regulation, the safest thing to say is just don’t buy food from countries like Australia that refuse to regulate. I believe that only the countries in the European union or the United States have decent enough systems in place to govern pet foods and detect faults. Therefore foods either manufactured in these places or sold into these markets are objectively safer. Of course there are bound to be many good, ethical Australian food manufacturers but the system doesn’t allow us to differentiate them. It’s still worth avoiding grain free diets in general until the mechanism is better understood.

By: Parker

Parker — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:04:09 +0000

Hi Dr Andrew, firstly thanks for you blog. I read all of the dog articles and appreciate the time you put into writing them despite the fact my dogs will likely never be patients living on the other side of the country!

My curiosity led me to reading over your dog food related articles tonight after forgetting to pick up the usual premium food on the way home and having to do a supermarket run.

While I don’t want to be adding something time consuming to your workload…

I know you said you couldn’t name bad foods but maybe doing a list of favourites instead? Taking into account evidence regarding nutrition levels, quality of ingredients, fillers, testing standards etc?

Maybe include different categories – premium, supermarket, subscription favourite picks and then overall favourite picks? So readers could get your thoughts on regular food but have something to consider if they have to do a last minute run to the supermarket at 9pm

Anyway, just a thought!

Thanks again, Parker