Heart Health and Nutrition for Dogs
If you love your dog with all your heart, you need to take steps to take care of their heart. While cardiac problems in dogs are not all that common, when they do occur, the effects can last for the rest of their lifetime. Dysfunction in the heart is hardly ever localized, so expect that dysfunction in this organ will eventually lead to dysfunction in other parts of the body if the issue is not addressed.
As in all medical conditions, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By knowing how the canine heart functions and what it needs to work best, you can save yourself (and your dog) from heartache and give them a long, happy, healthy life.
What does a dog’s heart do?
It’s hard to overstate the importance of proper cardiovascular function. After all, blood is the medium through which every single cell in the body gets its oxygen and nutrients. In addition to providing everything the cells need, it also ferries out the things cells don’t need, including metabolic waste products. Blood also plays an important role in delivering chemical messages from one part of the body to another in the form of hormones and inflammatory mediators.
Among the different parts of the cardiovascular system, the heart does most of the heavy lifting. In large part, its pumping action is what allows blood to move through the body.
But the heart, though powerful, is not immune to damage. It has the ability to compensate for problems in the blood quality, quantity, and flow, but it can only do so much when the problem is chronic. The heart can easily be affected by problems in other organs, especially the kidney. Because the heart supplies blood to different parts of the body, the effects of cardiovascular disorders are often manifested in a variety of organs. By virtue of both anatomy and function, the lungs will be caught in whatever cardiac problem there is.
In addition to this, the heart has poor regenerative ability, which means it cannot recover as well as other organs after an insult. Unfortunately, this means damage caused to the heart is likely to require lifelong management.
It’s easy to see how much of your dog’s lifespan and quality of life depends on cardiovascular function. That’s why it is important to take steps to keep your dog’s heart strong and healthy.
Factors affecting canine heart health
Abnormalities in heart structure
The heart is built in a way that maximizes its function. There are different compartments, openings guarded by valves, nodes for electrical impulses, and even a specialized kind of muscle found only in the heart. This results in a seamless synchronization that is known as the heartbeat. A problem in one or more of these structures will throw that symphony into disarray.
Dogs can be born with these abnormalities, with some breeds more predisposed to congenital heart defects than others. There are also acquired cardiac diseases resulting from abnormalities in associated organs like the lungs, kidney, and liver, degeneration due to old age and poor nutrition, and inflammation from infectious agents.
Heart infection
The heart may be pretty deep within the body, but it is connected to all the other organs through the blood vessels. As such, pathogens that gain access to the bloodstream could affect the heart, whether directly or indirectly.
Endocarditis, myocarditis, and pericarditis refer to infection of the inner lining, muscle, and pericardial sac respectively, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When it comes to parasites causing heart dysfunction, first on the list is Dirofilaria immitis, or the canine heartworm. All these infections can cause obstruction in blood flow, irregularities in the electrical impulses, or changes in the structure of the heart that impair its function.
Kidney problems
The kidney may be pretty far from the heart anatomically, but functionally, they are very much related. Along with the circulatory system, the kidney plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure, such that the failure of one will mean more work for the other. When the kidneys can’t do their job, the heart has to pick up the slack, with help from the blood vessels. And if this continues for a long period of time without correction, it takes a toll on the circulatory system, especially the heart.
Vascular issues
Blood vessels also play a role in regulating blood pressure. Hormones and other chemical signals will tell the blood vessels when to constrict and when to dilate. When there is a problem in the blood vessels or the mechanisms that control them, the heart will be affected. Extensive blood loss and leakage of fluid out of the vessels and into a different compartment of the body are some common problems.
Weight
Canine obesity is a problem that has become more and more frequent in recent years. Human obesity has been strongly linked to heart problems, and while studies are still ongoing in dogs, it looks like the same trends follow. Studies comparing healthy dogs with overweight dogs found that overweight dogs are more likely to present with abnormalities in heart structure and function.
How to keep your dog’s heart healthy
Keep an eye out for signs of heart disease
Early symptoms of heart disease are extremely subtle. Weakness can be confused with tiredness or sleepiness, exercise intolerance can be confused with laziness, and increased breathing rate can be confused for excitement. Weight loss and poor appetite may not be obvious at first. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of conditions are left untreated until it’s too late.
Knowing your dog and their normal energy levels well is key to spotting signs early on. Make it a habit to visit your vet at least once a year even if your furry buddy is exhibiting no problems. Senior dogs need more frequent trips to the vet in anticipation of degenerative changes in their bodies.
Take preventive measures against infection
Puppies should complete the vaccinations and deworming protocols in their first few months of life to be protected against viruses and parasites that can affect the body, including the heart. Heartworm prevention requires a protocol that is different from regular deworming, so be sure to ask your veterinarian about it.
Keep your dog healthy and active
The heart should never be thought of as isolated from other organ systems. In fact, the very opposite is true. So keeping your furry buddy generally healthy by providing quality nutrition and physical activity, limiting exposure to pathogens, and ensuring they are protected against parasites and viruses is the best thing you can do to keep their heart healthy.
Make Sure to Feed Heart Healthy Dog Foods
Responsible pet food companies work with nutritionists and food scientists to make sure their diets are doing their part in proper heart health. Supplements are still often encouraged, and regular vet visits are always important. But there are several dog foods that are better for heart health than others.
Resources
Veterinary Information Network: Nutritional Management of Cardiac Disease
Veterinary Information Network: Does Obesity Also Hurt Dog's Heart?
Prestige Animal Hospital: Canine Cardiology
MSD Veterinary Manual: Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease in Dogs
Pet Health Network: Dogs and Heart Disease