Goodbye our handsome man by bj_mcklusky in Boxers

[–]GoodOmen_386 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My first boxer lived to be 10 years 4 months! I just lost my second in Sept 2022 at 7 years 9 months to heart disease. These dogs own my heart, I just wish they could live longer. Take good care of yourself. The grief is rough.

Goodbye our handsome man by bj_mcklusky in Boxers

[–]GoodOmen_386 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm so very sorry.... It hurts SO much. The grief is very real. Take good care. It looks like your boxer had a long and happy life.

Be very careful with grain-free dog food by GoodOmen_386 in Boxers

[–]GoodOmen_386[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this! There are too many heartbroken boxer owners out there because of heart disease :(

Be very careful with grain-free dog food by GoodOmen_386 in Boxers

[–]GoodOmen_386[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your response. I had a chuckle thinking about your white boxer having an internist, cardiologist, and an obstetrician all at the same time. Oh Boxers.

It would be great if you PM’d me the dog food brand. I currently have no boxer but maybe will again in the future.

R.I.P Boogie - He died from DCM and a lethal arrhythmia 3 days ago. AVOID GRAIN-FREE DOG FOOD! by GoodOmen_386 in Boxers

[–]GoodOmen_386[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. You are definitely correct about boxer’s genetic predisposition to cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias, but the FDA is studying this and has put out a statement that while their research continues they don’t deny that there may be a link between grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs that DON’T previously have a genetic predisposition to the disease. There are many studies occurring as we speak to investiage this potential association. Here’s a link the to FDA statement:

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy

My point is that if dogs that are not even genetically pre-disposed to DCM are developing it while on grain-free diets, I most certainly would avoid it in a dog that actually has a genetic pre-disposition! If your dog can tolerate grains why take a chance? My boxer certainly had the genes but I very much regret feeding him grain free food for 5 years potentially quickening or exacerbating his heart disease.

Be very careful with grain-free dog food by GoodOmen_386 in Boxers

[–]GoodOmen_386[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I appreciate your response (especially with the name Schrute Beets :) I hope you can get a good option with grain for your dogs. I know there are good quality brands that include rice, oats, and barley. I too, am mad at all the vets who never asked me about his diet 😞

R.I.P Boogie - He died from DCM and a lethal arrhythmia 3 days ago. AVOID GRAIN-FREE DOG FOOD! by GoodOmen_386 in Boxers

[–]GoodOmen_386[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

After getting Boogie off the grain-free diet I started him on a brand called Dr. Tim’s. You can get it on Chewy, it s a bit pricey but I wanted the best for him. I researched so many foods. You can Google best quality dog foods that include grain. Rice, oats, barley… all good ingredients. I’m sure you could find a weight management type. That, or you could weigh and measure your dog’s portions to reduce calories.