Can DNA Testing Help You Feed Your Dog Better?

How well do you know your dog?

As a pet parent, the answer to that is likely “very well”. No one knows your dog better than you. You know their behavioral quirks and habits, all their favourite sniffs and snacks. But what you might not know are the secrets in your dog’s genetic code — the DNA clues that could tell you whether your dog is at risk of developing a specific serious illness or life-threatening health condition.

DNA testing can provide a fascinating glimpse into your dog’s genetic health. The insights from a DNA test can lead to important early treatment for a health condition before symptoms are even displayed, and inform decisions over what to feed your dog. 

For example, if you knew your dog carried a gene for Copper Storage Disease, which can be managed by switching to a low-copper diet, you can make a recipe change for your dog which benefits his or her health.

Dog Food Advisor spoke with Dr. Robin Everts, PhD, Head of Research & Development at AlphaDog DNA to highlight the importance of DNA testing. AlphaDog DNA screens for 400+ traits in one simple test — unlocking unique insights into your dog’s genetic code.

What can DNA testing reveal about your dog’s genes?   

DNA testing identifies the genetic traits your dog has — including health and disease risks, behavior, performance, appearance, coat color and more. It can be particularly important in revealing hidden genetic conditions that your dog carries a heightened risk of developing. These can include:

• Copper Toxicosis (aka CSD or CAH)
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
• Cystinuria
• Obesity

Can dog DNA testing prevent deadly health conditions?

Copper Toxicosis

Copper Toxicosis, also known as Copper Storage Disease (CSD) or Copper-Associated Hepatopathy(CAH), can cause fatal liver damage, but some dogs don’t show any symptoms until they become seriously ill — by which time it can be too late. The liver stores copper so it can be used for important functions around the body, with excess copper removed via bile. But, if a dog’s body can’t eliminate excess copper quickly enough, toxins build up; inflammation, damage and ultimately cirrhosis occurs. 

One gene known to be associated with this condition is called ATB7B.

“We know that dogs with two copies of this gene are at 2.5-fold higher risk of copper toxicosis,” reveals Dr. Everts. “But even if your dog has only one copy, they still have an increased risk of about 1.5-2 fold compared to dogs with none.”

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious heart condition. With DCM, symptoms can include labored breathing and tiredness — but sometimes, there are no symptoms and DCM triggers sudden death.

DCM is often inherited, so DNA testing can highlight the risk that might otherwise go completely unnoticed. 

“There are 3 genetic variants for DCM that we test for,” says Dr. Everts. “Two of these come from the Dobermann Pinscher line, with variants on the TTN and PDK4 genes. As these are inherited in a dominant fashion, we know that, if your dog has one or more genetic variants, they have over 80% chance of developing DCM.

“The other DCM variant comes from the Schnauzer line,” continues Dr. Everts. “This is a variant of the RBM20 gene. We know that dogs who have two copies of this variant — that’s one copy from each parent — have over 95% chance of developing DCM. Luckily, dogs with only one copy have less than a 1% chance, though it’s worth knowing their risk if you’re hoping they’ll have puppies.”

If your dog has DCM variants in their DNA, a diet to deliver optimal nutrition for heart health is critical. A food with high-quality, meat-based protein is recommended, with Dog Food Advisor’s pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, advising recipes should include essential amino acids, taurine and carnitine.

“Providing complete nutrition and carefully balanced vitamins and minerals supports good heart health, so choosing a complete and balanced diet would be my first step,” says Laura.

“Other nutrients have also been studied in relation to heart health,” continues Laura. “Amino acids, such as Taurine and L-carnitine, omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, and antioxidants play a role. Ask your dog food manufacturer about these nutrient levels in your dog’s food. Levels can also be boosted through supplementation, and as these aren’t stored nutrients supplementation doesn’t carry the risk of oversupply and toxicity as it does with some vitamins and minerals. 

“Some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels are thought to require greater quantities of dietary Taurine and L-Carnitine. Checking dietary quantities and supplementing these nutrients ensures the elevated requirements are reached, and helps to avoid deficiencies”.

DNA testing can also check for other potentially serious health conditions, including Degenerative Myelopathy — which is incurable but can be managed — and Cystinuria. It can also highlight a risk of obesity.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) affects the spine, leading to progressive weakness in the limbs, balance and walking — and eventually complete paralysis. The variant for DM is commonly found in German Shepherds, but also Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Pugs, Spaniels, Retrievers and Corgis.

While there’s sadly no cure for DM, a DNA test can help to identify a variant early and enable a pet parent to help their dog stay healthy for as long as possible — which includes maintaining a healthy weight and keeping your pup active.

“If your dog inherits two copies of the mutated SOD1 gene — one from each parent — they’re at high risk of developing DM,” says Dr. Everts. “This variant causes your dog’s body to make a substance toxic to their own motor neurons, meaning they degenerate over time.

“Since this variant is recessive, if your dog has just one copy, they’re less likely to develop DM,” says Dr. Everts.

“There’s also a variant, specific to Pembroke Welsh Corgis, that increases the risk of early onset DM. This is when dogs show signs of DM before two years of age. We also test for this at AlphaDog.”

Cystinuria

Cystinuria perhaps isn’t a well-known condition — to many pet parents at least — but it can be a painful one for your pup if it’s not diagnosed early and left untreated. It can cause sharp crystals to form in your dog’s pee, which can then lead to infections, kidney failure and even blockages that can be life threatening.

“When everything is working properly, your dog’s kidneys filter out an amino acid called ‘cystine’ from their urine,” says Dr. Everts. “But if your dog has a mutation in either the SLC3A1 or SLC7A9 genes, their kidneys don’t do this job properly.

“Over time, these dogs get a build-up of cystine in their urine, and this clumps together to form jagged crystals.”

Cystinuria is often an inherited condition though, which means a DNA test can indicate whether your dog is at risk of developing it. 

“We test for 6 genetic variants that have been associated with cystinuria,” says Dr. Everts, “and we give pet parents an accurate assessment of their dog’s risk of developing cystinuria based on their full profile, be that high, medium or low.”

If tests show a genetic risk of cystinuria, simple dietary changes can make a positive difference. Switching to a low-sodium, low-protein prescription diet can prevent acidic crystals forming, and keeping your dog well hydrated with plenty of fresh water can dilute your pet’s pee. Again, this can prevent potentially painful crystals from forming.

Dog obesity — identifying the risks

Obesity can be a big issue for some dogs, and it can certainly affect their health. Labrador Retrievers are a breed known for being at risk of obesity — but were you aware that DNA testing can highlight a genetic variant that contributes to weight problems?

“A full 25% of labradors and up to 60% of flatcoated retrievers have a genetic variant called POMC,” says Dr. Everts. “It causes both a feeling of constant hunger, plus reduced calorie burning at rest. So it’s closely linked to weight gain.”

“Since the POMC variant is dominant, even having just one copy puts your dog at significant risk of obesity,” says Dr. Everts. “Though if they have two copies, they’re at even greater risk — it’s a cumulative effect. That’s why our DNA tests let pet parents know how many copies of this gene their dog has, and what their corresponding risk is for obesity.”

An early flag for POMC means a pet parent can do two things: understand your dog’s behavior around food and manage how and what the dog is fed. That includes portion control — Dog Food Advisor’s Dog Food Calculator is helpful here — reducing treats and snacks outside meals, and ensuring your dog gets regular exercise.

You may also choose to switch to a dog food recipe that can help with weight loss, or a low fat recipe.

Should you get a dog DNA test?

So, let’s ask the question again: how well do you know your dog? As we’ve learned, not as well as you might, particularly when it comes to potential medical conditions.

This isn’t to say you need to get a DNA test for your dog in order to care for them or feed them properly. That is absolutely not the case.

But, if you have the funds and are curious, DNA testing can flag markers for potential health issues your dog may experience during its lifetime — issues you might not otherwise be aware of until they become more serious.

And if you want to save some money on an AlphaDog DNA test, click on the coupon below.