Senior Dog Heart Disease: Nutritional Tips for Feeding

Immediate Dietary Adjustments:

1. Consult with a veterinarian. Once your vet has identified the symptoms of heart disease in your senior dog, they should recommend a treatment plan, which includes the best way to feed your pet. Pay close attention to their advice.

Based on the severity of your pet's heart condition, your veterinarian may prescribe either regular commercial dog food or a specialized prescription diet.

Don't hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.

2. Limit sodium intake. Look for dog foods labeled "low sodium." Check the nutritional labels on your dog's treats and food bags to ensure they're not consuming excessive sodium.

The amount of sodium your dog can tolerate depends on their health status and diet. For more information, consult your veterinarian.

3. Ensure adequate protein in your dog's diet. As dogs age, they require fewer calories, but maintaining a consistent level of protein is crucial, even in older dogs. Protein deficiency is associated with the development and progression of heart disease.

At least 25% of an older dog's calories should come from protein. For instance, if your dog consumes 1000 calories daily, 250 calories should be from protein.

Sufficient protein levels can also prevent muscle atrophy in your aging dog.

4. Add dietary supplements to your dog's diet. Supplements provide the necessary vitamins and minerals for your dog's diet. These can be purchased at local pet stores. Always consult your veterinarian before adding supplements to your dog's diet. Supplements come in capsule or liquid form. For more information on how to use them effectively, refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Popular supplements include:

Vitamin B, which strengthens the heart

Taurine and carnitine, which enhance heart function and can alleviate edema (fluid accumulation, often in the lungs or other areas)

Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that improves gum health and strengthens the immune system. Poor dental health can lead to infections, which can cause or worsen heart disease.

Omega3 fatty acids, which provide antiinflammatory and antiarrhythmic properties, promoting heart health.

5. Don't assume senior dog food is suitable. While there are many senior dog foods available on the market, they may not be appropriate for your dog. These foods often have higher fiber and lower protein levels. If your dog is already getting enough fiber and/or needs more protein, avoid senior dog food.

Follow your veterinarian's advice to determine the type of dog food that is best suited for your senior dog with heart disease.

Managing Your Pet's Weight:

1. Don't overfeed your dog. Older dogs often need fewer calories than they did when younger. Dogs tend to accumulate body fat as they age, even if they reduce their calorie intake. Overfeeding can only accelerate the accumulation of fat.

Your dog's specific calorie needs depend on their health, activity level, and weight. For example, a dog with a high activity level requires more calories. Overweight dogs need fewer calories than those at an ideal weight.

Reducing your dog's weight to a healthy level should be the first step in treating heart disease.

2. Provide adequate exercise. Just like humans, regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease in dogs. For example:

Take your dog for walks daily. You can walk in a park or around your neighborhood.

Play with your dog. Throw a soft ball or a chew toy in your backyard or an open space. Your dog will run to retrieve the toy and bring it back to you. Repeat until your dog loses interest.

Exercise can also reduce the risk of arthritis, improve the immune system, and enhance overall health.

If your dog is panting heavily, lagging behind, slowing down, or starts coughing, take them home and try again tomorrow.

3. Change your feeding habits. If you share meals with your family and give your dog table scraps, or if your large dog receives many small treats throughout the day, the total calorie intake from these snacks can quickly add up, especially if everyone in the house gives the dog a treat.

Communicate with your family that your senior dog with heart disease cannot have the same level of treats as before. Offer your dog extra verbal praise and affection instead of feeding them snacks.

Disease Management Techniques:

1. Regular veterinary checkups. As dogs age, they are more susceptible to heart disease and other illnesses. Early diagnosis can significantly reduce the negative impacts of heart disease and other health issues.

You should already have a veterinarian for your dog.

Heart disease in dogs often has no observable symptoms, so regular checkups are crucial.

2. Take care of your dog's teeth. Heart valves can be damaged by oral infections. Purchase a dog toothbrush and toothpaste from your local pet store. Brush your dog's teeth just like you would your own, using a circular motion and a small amount of toothpaste.

Do not use human toothpaste. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using dog toothpaste.

3. Use medication. Several medications can help treat heart disease in older dogs. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend the most suitable medication for your dog.

Furosemide (sold under the brand name Lasix) is one of the most common treatment options. This medication promotes fluid excretion, which can accumulate in the lungs due to heart failure.

Enalapril and Benazepril are also commonly used. These drugs make the heart more efficient at pumping blood.

Do not give your senior dog human medications.

4. Develop an endoflife care plan. If you catch your dog's heart disease early, you may be able to provide highquality life for your pet in the final days. However, if your dog's heart disease is not treated until it shows severe symptoms like heart failure or a heart attack, consider what kind of life your dog might have.

For dogs that seem to have a lot of pain or discomfort, difficulty breathing, or nearconstant anxiety, the most humane option may be euthanasia. Euthanasia is the process of administering an injection to end a dog's life.

In other cases, even dogs that have experienced a heart attack can live a healthy life with additional care and medication.

Consider your options and discuss them with your veterinarian to carefully weigh your decisions.