Everything you need to know about your dog's heart and how to protect it so your beloved pet stays healthy.
Our heart belongs to our beloved pet and we are probably inside his, as the dog is not called man's best friend by chance. So, while Valentine's Day is approaching and the cities will be flooded with hearts, we decided to use the day as an occasion to inform about the issues of heart disease in our four-legged friends. In this way, a smart trick is to combine February 14 and the Valentine's Day - which is much talked about - with the examinations of your dog's heart but of course yours as well.
Believe it or not, the hearts of humans, dogs, and cats are almost identical, with only a few minor differences in the valves and blood vessels. This may explain why dogs are just as susceptible to heart disease as humans. However, dogs and cats don't usually suffer from heart attacks from clogged arteries because both species have better digestion, making saturated fats less of a problem for them. As strange as it may sound, saturated fats are actually a very good source of energy for dogs and cats.
The dog's heart is one of the most important and valuable organs of its body. As is the case with humans, the dog's heart takes on the difficult role of promoting blood, ensuring the supply of oxygen and nutrients to every cell. The result is the good functioning of the body and the good health of our dog. In any case, heart problems and heart diseases are not a rare phenomenon, while any type of heart disease may affect the dog's daily life and quality of life, having serious consequences for its health. It is worth remembering that with proper care and timely treatment of heart problems, according to the advice and instructions of your veterinarian, you have the opportunity to protect your dog's health and ensure many more years of life.
It is important to mention the fact that there is a way to limit the chances of heart problems in our dog. Ways of prevention are to try to maintain a stable body weight for your pet, to include your dog's exercise in your program, to observe your pet's symptoms and changes in his behavior, while regular veterinary examinations are always useful and helpful.
Below we will look in detail at the factors that can cause heart problems in our dog, the symptoms that should make you think about seeking help from a veterinarian, and the necessary advice to protect your dog.
What can cause heart disease in our dog?
Heart problems in dogs can occur due to a variety of factors, which we will analyze below. Our dog's daily routine and lifestyle play a very important role in the health of his heart. For example, a "bad" diet without nutrients and obesity significantly increase the risk of problems related to the dog's heart. The same applies to dogs that do not exercise and lead what we call for humans a "sedentary life" without the necessary physical activity. Of course, just like in humans, age is a critical factor that we must take into account in dogs. Over time, a dog's heart weakens and functions at a slower pace. Thus, among the other health problems that can accompany aging, heart disease is equally possible. The dog's stress and some injury are likely to increase the pressure, while an infection may result in some damage to the heart or some other disease.
At this point, it is worth emphasizing that there are certain breeds of dogs with a predisposition , that is, they are more likely to develop heart problems, with the following breeds being the most susceptible: cavalier king charles, doberman, German shepherd, boxer, cocker spaniel, great dane, labrador and rottweiler.
What symptoms indicate heart disease in dogs?
There are several symptoms that may warn you that your dog is experiencing a heart problem, so you should act quickly to achieve an early diagnosis. Symptoms that should lead you to the veterinarian you trust are heavy breathing, intense coughing, discomfort, fainting, tachycardia, rapid or prolonged fatigue, swollen abdomen, vomiting, gray tongue, fever, weight loss, etc. In general, as we have written before, it is important to observe your dog in order to identify changes in his behavior so that you can detect any health problem in a timely manner.
Diet for dogs with heart problems
In the case of heart disease, proper nutrition can significantly slow down the deterioration of heart disease. At the same time, a good diet makes your dog feel better despite health problems and may limit his need for certain medications, following the instructions of your veterinarian. In any case, maintaining body weight and a nutrient-rich diet has a positive impact on the dog's health as side effects, loss of appetite and loss of muscle mass are common.
When your dog is experiencing a heart problem, it is very important to choose foods rich in protein to maintain muscle mass and strength. Increased use of Omega-3 fats reduces the likelihood of cardiac arrhythmias and is associated with improvement - even treatment - in the early stages of heart disease, increasing life expectancy.
According to veterinarians, a cooked food diet is extremely helpful. At petchef you will find 4 delicious cooked food recipes created in collaboration with a veterinary team and fully covering the daily nutritional needs of the dog. At petchef, every day we procure the best fresh raw materials intended for human consumption, without preservatives and colorings.