{"topic_id":"evidence_canine_cardiac_diet","category":"evidence","context":"---\ntopic_id: evidence_canine_cardiac_diet\ncategory: evidence\ntitle: Evidence cluster — nutrition in canine dilated cardiomyopathy / heart disease (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC + PubMed)\nlang: en\nsource_file: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_canine_cardiac_diet_2026-07-22.txt\nsource: Europe PMC REST search (first-hand PMIDs) + PubMed efetch verbatim abstracts, pulled 2026-07-22\ndate_parsed: 2026-07-22\nmodel: codebuddy\nbatch: P0-EVIDENCE-6\nverified: 2026-07-22 substring_match 24/24 claims passed\npath: evidence/evidence_canine_cardiac_diet/01_canine_cardiac_diet.md\n---\n## Representative peer-reviewed studies (verbatim abstracts)\n\nThe following studies were retrieved from Europe PMC / PubMed and are reproduced verbatim. Interpretive synthesis is left to the API user.\n\n### PMID:41295744 — Role of Diet as a Predisposing Factor for Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs: A Narrative Review.\n- Source: Vet Sci 2025\n1. Vet Sci. 2025 Nov 20;12(11):1106. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12111106.\n\nRole of Diet as a Predisposing Factor for Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs: A \nNarrative Review.\n\nMornard L(1), Brasileiro ACM(1)(2), Marcondes-Santos M(2)(3).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Veterinary Sciences, EUVG-Vasco da Gama University School, \nAvenida José R. Sousa Fernandes 197, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal.\n(2)CIVG-Vasco da Gama Research Center, Avenida José R. Sousa Fernandes 197, \n3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal.\n(3)School of Agriculture, Santarém Polytechnic University, Quinta do \nGalinheiro-S. Pedro, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal.\n\nIn 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported cases of dilated \ncardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, including breeds without known genetic \npredisposition, fed diets containing a high proportion of legumes or potatoes, \nmany labeled grain-free. Despite concerns, grain-free diets remain increasingly \npopular. This narrative review focuses on the peer-reviewed literature and \nsummarizes recent studies evaluating the effects of grain-free diets on canine \ncardiac health, with emphasis on taurine deficiency, metabolic alterations, and \nemerging hypotheses extending beyond nutritional inadequacy. These findings \nsuggest a strong link between diet and DCM, particularly regarding legumes. Dogs \nof various breeds showed larger left ventricular diameters, reduced systolic \nfunction, and increased premature ventricular complexes when fed \nnon-traditional, grain-free, legume-rich diets compared to those on traditional, \nlow-legume diets. Many affected dogs improved clinically and functionally with \ndietary changes and treatment, suggesting nutritional DCM could be reversible. \nThough mechanisms remain unclear, the research highlights the potential roles of \nlegumes, particularly peas, in the gut microbiota and fiber-related bile acid \nmetabolism. This review also distinguishes taurine-deficiency-related DCM as a \nseparate form, with certain breeds, notably Golden Retrievers, being more \nsusceptible. Overall, further studies are required to better understand the role \nof nutrition in canine cardiac health.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/vetsci12111106\nPMCID: PMC12656978\nPMID: 41295744\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Vet Sci 2025\n1. Vet Sci. 2025 Nov 20;12(11):1106. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12111106.\n\nRole of Diet as a Predisposing Factor for Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs: A \nNarrative Review.\n\nMornard L(1), B\n\n### PMID:41472100 — Preliminary Analysis of Intestinal Microbiota in Golden Retrievers Prone to Dilated Cardiomyopathy Due to Taurine Deficiency.\n- Source: Vet Sci 2025\n1. Vet Sci. 2025 Nov 26;12(12):1120. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12121120.\n\nPreliminary Analysis of Intestinal Microbiota in Golden Retrievers Prone to \nDilated Cardiomyopathy Due to Taurine Deficiency.\n\nDametti MR(1), Bagardi M(1)(2), Ghilardi S(1), Minozzi G(1), Polli M(1), \nBrambilla PG(1), Fusi E(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science-DIVAS, University of \nMilan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.\n(2)Anicura Clinica Veterinaria Malpensa, Via G. Marconi N. 27, 21017 Samarate, \nVA, Italy.\n\nTaurine plays a key role in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health in dogs \nand may be deficient in some predisposed breeds despite consuming complete \npetfood. This study aimed to explore potential associations between serum \ntaurine concentration and gut microbiota composition in clinically healthy \nGolden Retrievers, a breed predisposed to taurine deficiency-associated dilated \ncardiomyopathy. Eleven adult dogs, which were fed the same extruded commercial \ndiet and living in the same kennel, underwent a nutritional evaluation, fecal \nanalysis, and measurement of serum concentrations of taurine, folates, and \nvitamin B12. Taurine levels were below reference values in eight out of eleven \ndogs, and 50% of the tested dogs showed reduced serum folate. Microbiota \nanalysis based on 16S rRNA sequencing revealed subtle compositional shifts in \ndogs with lower taurine levels, including a depletion of mucus-associated \nDeferribacterota and an enrichment of bile-sensitive taxa such as Lactobacillus \nand Streptococcus. While alpha and beta diversity metrics did not differ \nsignificantly between groups, unweighted UniFrac indicated a trend toward \nseparation. These findings suggest that hypotaurinemia in Golden Retrievers may \nbe associated with specific alterations in the gut microbiota, potentially \nreflecting subclinical dysbiosis. Further studies integrating metabolomic \nprofiling are needed to clarify the functional implications of these microbial \nchanges on taurine metabolism.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/vetsci12121120\nPMCID: PMC12737569\nPMID: 41472100\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Vet Sci 2025\n1. Vet Sci. 2025 Nov 26;12(12):1120. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12121120.\n\nPreliminary Analysis of Intestinal Microbiota in Golden Retrievers Prone to \nDilated Cardiomyopathy Due to Taur\n\n### PMID:42110576 — Dilated Cardiomyopathy Phenotype With Global (Four-Chamber) Involvement in a Cat: Echocardiographic, Pathological, Histopathological, and Immunohistochemical Findings.\n- Source: Case Rep Vet Med 2026\n1. Case Rep Vet Med. 2026 May 7;2026:9572640. doi: 10.1155/crve/9572640. \neCollection 2026.\n\nDilated Cardiomyopathy Phenotype With Global (Four-Chamber) Involvement in a \nCat: Echocardiographic, Pathological, Histopathological, and Immunohistochemical \nFindings.\n\nRomito G(1), Costa A(1), Morini M(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of \nBologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.\n\nAn 8-year-old castrated male Exotic Shorthair cat was referred due to the onset \nof abdominal effusion. Echocardiography revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy \nphenotype affecting both ventricles, associated with biatrial dilatation, left \natrial dysfunction with spontaneous echocontrast, and right-sided congestive \nheart failure. Additional diagnostic tests (thoracic radiographs, complete blood \ncell count, serum biochemistry, assessment of thyroid status, cardiac troponin I \nand plasma taurine concentrations, and urinalysis) ruled out secondary \nconditions able to cause a similar echocardiographic phenotype. Despite prompt \ninitiation of cardiac therapy (furosemide, pimobendan, clopidogrel, and \nrivaroxaban) and subsequent hospitalization for further medical support, the \ncat's clinical condition deteriorated, ultimately leading to euthanasia. \nPostmortem examination revealed extensive areas of myofiber thinning with a wavy \nappearance in both ventricles, closely resembling the attenuated wavy fiber \npattern described in dogs affected by dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, \nmultifocal replacement of myofibers by adipose tissue was found in both atria. \nImmunohistochemical analysis showed abnormal expression patterns of desmin, \nvimentin, and connexin 43, similar to those previously reported in humans and \ndogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. Given the thorough antemortem and postmortem \ninvestigations and the associated findings, a rare case of feline dilated \ncardiomyopathy with biventricular and biatrial involvement was diagnosed.\n\nCopyright © 2026 Giovanni Romito et al. Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine \npublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.\n\nDOI: 10.1155/crve/9572640\nPMCID: PMC13150973\nPMID: 42110576\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Case Rep Vet Med 2026\n1. Case Rep Vet Med. 2026 May 7;2026:9572640. doi: 10.1155/crve/9572640. \neCollection 2026.\n\nDilated Cardiomyopathy Phenotype With Global (Four-Chamber) Involvement in a\n\n### PMID:40941272 — Determination of Retinol, Cholecalciferol, α-Tocopherol and Phylloquinone Levels in Dogs with Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Preliminary Study.\n- Source: Animals (Basel) 2025\n1. Animals (Basel). 2025 Aug 23;15(17):2477. doi: 10.3390/ani15172477.\n\nDetermination of Retinol, Cholecalciferol, α-Tocopherol and Phylloquinone Levels \nin Dogs with Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Preliminary Study.\n\nBilgiç B(1), Işık M(2), Bakır A(3), Ekin S(3), Kozat S(2), Pugliese M(4), Or \nME(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul \nUniversity-Cerrahpasa, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey.\n(2)Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Van Yuzuncu \nYil University, 65100 Van, Turkey.\n(3)Department of Chemistry, Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Van \nYuzuncu Yil University, 65080 Van, Turkey.\n(4)Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, \nItaly.\n\nLipid-soluble vitamins are essential micronutrients that play a vital role in \nprocesses such as growth, reproduction, immune regulation, antioxidant defense, \nanti-inflammatory response and cardiovascular health. This study aimed to \nevaluate the plasma levels of retinol, cholecalciferol, α-tocopherol and \nphylloquinone in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Six dogs diagnosed with \nDCM and ten healthy control dogs were selected based on clinical, \nechocardiographic, electrocardiographic and radiographic examinations. \nChromatographic analysis was performed to analyze the content of lipid-soluble \nvitamins. The mean plasma retinol levels were 0.0285 μg/mL and 0.0495 μg/mL in \nthe DCM and control groups, respectively, and the mean cholecalciferol levels \nwere 0.0739 μg/mL and 0.1045 μg/mL in the DCM and control groups, respectively. \nRetinol and cholecalciferol levels were both statistically lower in the DCM \ngroup than in the control group (p < 0.05). The mean plasma α-tocopherol levels \nwere 0.3103 and 0.4322 μg/mL, and the mean plasma phylloquinone levels were \n0.03780 and 0.04082 μg/mL in the DCM and control groups, respectively. However, \nno statistical significance was observed between the two groups for α-tocopherol \nor phylloquinone levels. Based on our findings, alterations in vitamin A and D \nmetabolism could be associated with the development of idiopathic DCM in dogs. \nHowever, given the limited sample size, further investigation in larger \npopulations is needed.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/ani15172477\nPMCID: PMC12427420\nPMID: 40941272\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Animals (Basel) 2025\n1. Animals (Basel). 2025 Aug 23;15(17):2477. doi: 10.3390/ani15172477.\n\nDetermination of Retinol, Cholecalciferol, α-Tocopherol and Phylloquinone Levels \nin Dogs with Dil\n\n### PMID:41689959 — Prevalence and description of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy eating hydrolyzed protein diets.\n- Source: J Am Vet Med Assoc 2026\n1. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026 Feb 13;264(7):867-874. doi: 10.2460/javma.25.11.0756.\n Print 2026 Jul 1.\n\nPrevalence and description of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy eating hydrolyzed \nprotein diets.\n\nWhelchel BD, Rush JE, Ma Y, Freeman LM.\n\nOBJECTIVE: To compare the signalment of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) \neating hydrolyzed and nonhydrolyzed protein diets, and to characterize clinical \ndata and echocardiographic indices of dogs with DCM eating hydrolyzed protein \ndiets.\nMETHODS: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with DCM between May 2018 and October \n2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data were compared between dogs \neating hydrolyzed and nonhydrolyzed protein diets. For the latter group, \npresence of arrhythmias or congestive heart failure, whether diet was changed, \nand echocardiographic measurements were recorded.\nRESULTS: From 2,222 dogs diagnosed with DCM, 2,105 dogs met the study's \ninclusion criteria. Twenty-eight of 2,105 dogs (1.3%) were eating hydrolyzed \nprotein diets. The most common breeds were pit bull-type breed (n = 6), English \nBulldog (4), and Doberman Pinscher (4). Seventeen of 28 dogs (60.7%) had \narrhythmias, and 17 of 28 dogs (60.7%) had congestive heart failure. There were \nno significant differences in age, sex, or body weight between the 2 diet \ngroups. Five of 28 dogs eating hydrolyzed protein diets had follow-up \nechocardiograms and changed diet. In these 5 dogs, there was a significant \nreduction in left atrial-to-aortic ratio (from median 1.24 to 1.09; effect size, \n0.64) and normalized left ventricular internal dimension at end systole (from \nmedian 1.41 to 1.25; effect size, 0.64) at the follow-up examination.\nCONCLUSIONS: In a large population of dogs with DCM, 1.3% were eating hydrolyzed \nprotein diets prior to diagnosis; only a small number had follow-up \nechocardiograms.\nCLINICAL RELEVANCE: The role of hydrolyzed protein diets in DCM is unclear but \nwarrants further investigation.\n\nDOI: 10.2460/javma.25.11.0756\nPMID: 41689959 [Indexed for MEDLINE]\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:J Am Vet Med Assoc 2026\n1. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026 Feb 13;264(7):867-874. doi: 10.2460/javma.25.11.0756.\n Print 2026 Jul 1.\n\nPrevalence and description of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy ea\n\n### PMID:41817417 — Diet-induced cardiac dysfunction and impaired cognitive performance in Beagles.\n- Source: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2026\n1. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2026 Apr 1;330(4):R416-R427. doi: \n10.1152/ajpregu.00238.2025. Epub 2026 Mar 12.\n\nDiet-induced cardiac dysfunction and impaired cognitive performance in Beagles.\n\nBokshowan E(1), Luchkanych AMS(1), Costa MO(2)(3), Olver TD(1), Weber LP(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, \nSaskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.\n(2)Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, \nSaskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.\n(3)Population Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht \nUniversity, Utrecht, The Netherlands.\n\nDiet-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs has been linked to grain-free, \npea-containing diets, possibly due to increased oligosaccharides. Since \ncross-sectional human studies indicate that heart failure is associated with \ndecreased cerebral blood flow and cognitive decline, we explored whether a \nsimilar association could be detected in dogs. This study tested whether \ndiet-induced cardiac impairment coincides with a lower index of cerebral blood \nflow and cognitive decline in dogs. Eight adult Beagles were fed four diets for \n5 wk each. A commercial dental diet was fed prestudy as a husbandry diet, \nfollowed by three test diets fed in a randomized crossover design: a grain-based \ndiet formulated with rice flour (GB), a grain-based diet with rice flour and 1% \nof the oligosaccharide raffinose (GB-O), and a grain-free diet containing pea \nflour (GF). Cardiac function and brain blood flow were assessed using \nultrasound, and cognitive function using a sand maze test. Ejection fraction was \nlower, and left ventricular end-systolic volume was greater in dogs fed the GF \nand husbandry diets compared to the GB and GB-O diets. End-diastolic velocity \nand conductance index were greater in basilar cerebral arteries, whereas \nresistive index was lower in dogs fed GF and husbandry diets. Sand maze \nretrieval times were slower for GF and husbandry diet-fed dogs compared with the \nGB-O diet. Thus, reduced ejection fraction was associated with lower cerebral \nvascular tone and cognitive function in dogs fed GF and husbandry diets. This \nstudy is suggestive of a novel link between diet, cardiac function, and \ncognition in dogs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to investigate the \nheart-brain connection in dogs, revealing parallel emergence of subclinical \ncardiac dysfunction and reduced cognitive performance under certain dietary \nconditions in Beagles. Additionally, transcranial Doppler ultrasound identified \na reduction in the index of cerebrovascular tone, potentially reflecting a \ncompensatory response to early cardiac dysfunction. These findings provide a \nbasis for further exploration of how diet, cardiac function and cognition may \ninfluence one another in dogs.\n\nDOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00238.2025\nPMID: 41817417 [Indexed for MEDLINE]\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2026\n1. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2026 Apr 1;330(4):R416-R427. doi: \n10.1152/ajpregu.00238.2025. Epub 2026 Mar 12.\n\nDiet-induced cardiac d\n\n","sources":[],"tokens_estimated":2975,"generated_at":null,"tip":"Use /api/v1/topics to discover more topics. /api/v1/nutrient for precise single-point queries. /api/v1/cross_compare for 2-3 standard comparisons."}