FDA cites Blue Buffalo and 15 other brands that might be linked to dog heart failure (2024)

Wilton-based Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc. is one of 16 dog food brands cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as being a probable contributing cause of canine congestive heart failure.

Blue Buffalo, which was bought by General Mills in February 2018 for $8 billion, did not issue a public response to the FDA’s report.

The FDA did not call for any of the dog foods to be recalled, nor did it warn dog owners to avoid the brands, but instead asked dog owners to “work with their veterinarians, who have the ability to consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to obtain the most appropriate dietary advice.”

FDA cites Blue Buffalo and 15 other brands that might be linked to dog heart failure (1)In July 2018, the FDA began to investigate whether canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) could be linked to dogs eating certain pet foods, including many that were labeled as “grain-free” and whose main ingredients contained high proportions of peas, lentils, other legume seeds and/or potatoes.

While the FDA acknowledged in a statement that “the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors,” it nonetheless noted that many of the 524 cases of DCM reported to the agency included the dog food brands that contained this ingredient formulation.

The FDA said it received 31 reports of DCM involving dogs that were fed the Blue Buffalo brand, which was the sixth highest number of DCM-related deaths among the 16 brands under investigation.

In addition to Blue Buffalo, the brands cited by the FDA are Acana, California Natural, Earthborn Holistic, 4Health, Fromm, Merrick, Nature’s Domain, Nature’s Variety, Natural Balance, NutriSource, Nutro, Orijen, Rachael Ray Nutrish, Taste of the Wild and Zignature.

FDA cites Blue Buffalo and 15 other brands that might be linked to dog heart failure (2024)

FAQs

Is Blue Buffalo dog food causing heart problems? ›

FDA cites Blue Buffalo and 15 other brands that might be linked to dog heart failure. Wilton-based Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc. is one of 16 dog food brands cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as being a probable contributing cause of canine congestive heart failure.

What dog food brands are causing heart problems? ›

FDA names 16 brands of dog food linked to canine heart disease
  • Acana.
  • Zignature.
  • Taste of the Wild.
  • 4Health.
  • Earthborn Holistic.
  • Blue Buffalo.
  • Nature's Domain.
  • Fromm.
Jul 2, 2019

What brands are linked to DCM? ›

Brands named in the report include Acana, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Earthborn Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Nature's Domain, Fromm, Merrick, California Natural, Natural Balance, Orijen, Nature's Variety, NutriSource, Nutro and Rachael Ray Nutrish.

Has blue buffalo killed dogs? ›

But the facts remain…the FDA's own records evidence that within a one year time frame, the FDA received four reports of pet illness believed linked to Darwin's pet food and 87 reports of sick and dead pets believed to be linked to Blue Buffalo.

Why does my vet not recommend Blue Buffalo? ›

What is the Problem With Blue Buffalo Dog Food? In the past, Blue Buffalo Dog Food had to endure a series of accusations involving false advertising of their products. They were sued because they were accused of misleading their customers through their marketing campaigns.

What is the Blue Buffalo controversy? ›

The false advertising of pet food lawsuits claimed that some Blue Buffalo products were not consistent with the company's “True Blue Promise,” which stated that the products are “formulated with the finest natural ingredients” and made with “no chicken/poultry by-products meals; no corn, wheat or soy; and no artificial ...

What causes DCM in dogs? ›

The definitive cause of canine DCM is the subject of debate, although a number of factors including nutritional, infectious, and genetic predisposition have been implicated.

What does DCM mean? ›

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber, is enlarged (dilated). As the chamber gets bigger, its thick muscular wall stretches, becoming thinner and weaker.

What is dilated cardiomyopathy DCM? ›

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is when the heart chambers enlarge and lose their ability to contract. It often starts in the left ventricle (bottom chamber). As the disease gets worse, it may spread to the right ventricle and to the atria (top chambers).

Why not use Blue Buffalo dog food? ›

Unfortunately, Blue Buffalo Dog Food contains meat product meals and meat byproducts as well as synthetic ingredients, artificial preservatives, and fillers.

Do vets recommend Blue Buffalo dog food? ›

Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, veterinarian, pet nutrition expert, and one of Wag!'s licensed veterinary consultants, personally recommends Blue Buffalo's products to her own clients. Here's what she has to say about Blue Buffalo: “Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs.

What is the most unhealthiest dog food? ›

10 Dog Food Brands to Avoid
  • Alpo. ...
  • Kal Kan. ...
  • Cesar. ...
  • Kibbles 'n Bits. ...
  • Beneful. ...
  • Pedigree. You can have unhealthy food in a pinch, too. ...
  • Great Choice. You'd think with a name like 'Great Choice,' this dog food would live up to it. ...
  • Gravy Train. Given a choice, pups would rather have flavorful, meaty foods.
Jun 15, 2024

What foods are linked to heart disease in dogs? ›

The underlying cause is most likely due to multiple factors, including an individual dog's genetics. We do know that many of the reported cases of diet-associated cardiomyopathy occurred in dogs eating foods with large proportions of lentils, peas, chickpeas, and other legumes.

What are the side effects of Blue Buffalo dog food? ›

Symptoms of Blue Buffalo Allergies in Dogs
  • Bald patches.
  • Chronic ear infections.
  • Chronic gas.
  • Chronically inflamed feet.
  • Coughing.
  • Face rubbing.
  • Head shaking.
  • Hives.

Is Fromm dog food being recalled for heart disease? ›

We also want to alert readers to the fact that, in late June 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified Fromm as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats. None of those 16 brands have been recalled as part of the agency's ongoing investigation, though.

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