In this video, I sit down with world-recognized vet Dr. Jones (Veterinary Secrets) to break down a brand-new 2025 study on grain-free dog food and DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). I wanted to start at the basics—what DCM actually is, what symptoms can look like (rapid breathing, weakness, collapse, coughing/fluid as it progresses), and which breeds were historically most associated with it (Dobermans and Boxers especially, plus other large breeds). Then we rewind to the 2018 “grain-free controversy,” when Golden Retrievers started showing up with DCM, taurine supplementation helped many of them, and the FDA report put peas/legumes/potatoes in the spotlight. The big headline from this new 18-month randomized double-blind study (60 healthy adult colony dogs) is honestly surprising: dogs had normal cardiac function after 18 months whether they ate grain-inclusive or grain-free diets—when the diets were complete and balanced. My takeaway (and Dr. Jones agrees) is this: it’s not as simple as “grains good, peas bad.” It’s about nutrient adequacy—especially getting enough animal-based amino acids tied to taurine status—and not underfeeding a “complete” food and accidentally creating deficiencies. I also share why I still like adding fresher, less-processed animal proteins alongside kibble to boost nutrient bioavailability.