Pet Digest

Vegan Diets for Dogs: A Trend with Hidden Dangers? Understanding the Link to DCM Last updated: August 2025 Over the last decade, veganism has grown beyond being just a human lifestyle choice. More pet owners are now choosing to feed their dogs plant-based diets, citing ethical, environmental, and health reasons. But with veganism for dogs trending, an important question arises: is this diet truly safe for our canine companions? One of the most alarming concerns linked to plant-based dog diets is the potential connection to canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) , a heart condition that has been reported more frequently in the past several years. In this post, we’ll explore what veganism for dogs looks like, why it’s trending, why even major brands are creating vegan dog foods, and how it may relate to the increased reports of DCM cases. Why Vegan Diets for Dogs Are Trending The push toward plant-based diets for dogs mirrors the rise of veganism among humans. Many dog parents w...

What Is a Designer Diet for Dogs? The Trendy Foods Pet Parents Should Think Twice About Designer Diets: Trendy or Truly Beneficial? If you’ve ever walked into a pet store and seen dog food labeled as “ancestral,” “wild,” or “biologically appropriate,” you’ve probably come across a designer diet—but what does that actually mean? And more importantly, is it really good for your dog? Let’s break it down in a way that’s honest, practical, and backed by what we know today. --- 🐾 What Is a Designer Diet? The term “designer diet” usually refers to boutique, grain-free, or exotic-ingredient dog food. These formulas became popular as pet parents started demanding more from dog food—less mystery meat and more recognizable, premium ingredients. Designer diets often include: Exotic proteins like kangaroo, rabbit, or bison Uncommon carbs like lentils, chickpeas, or sweet potatoes Buzzwords like "ancestral," “wild-caught,” or “raw-inspired” Grain-free claims, often without a real reason S...