07/14/2026
In 2018, the FDA investigated a rise in canine DCM cases, particularly in breeds not typically prone to the disease, seemingly linked to so-called BEG diets — Boutique, Exotic ingredient, and Grain-free formulas. Peas and lentils were flagged as a possible factor.
If you've seen headlines connecting these findings to plant-based dog food, here's what the FDA reports actually showed: the brands named were predominantly meat-based, grain-free formulas. Not one was vegan.
The FDA closed the investigation in 2022 without establishing a causal link between legumes and DCM.
The bottom line: A vegan dog food is considered safe against DCM if it is formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for amino acids, and includes supplemental taurine as an added safeguard.
