Dog Food For Heart Problems"Dog food for heart problems" Dog food for heart problems is an important part of caring for a dog with heart disease. Dog’s with heart problems tend to retain too many fluids in the lungs, abdomen and below the skin. Because of fluid retention, heart disease in a dog requires less salt, a factor in causing fluid to accumulate. Never feed a dog with heart problems foods high in salt including many human foods such as salty snacks. Do not assume that all dogs foods are equal when it comes to salt. Supermarket and specialty brands often have high salt content (to make them more appetizing to your dog) and should be avoided. According to the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine a low salt diet is defined as having less than 100mg/100kca. Water can also contain high levels of salt. If it does in your area consider bottled or low sodium water as a substitute (call your water department for information. Many post salt content on their web-site). Dog Food For Heart Problems - Moderate Salt Restriction Canine DietExamples of dog food for heart problems with moderate salt restriction diets are Science Diet Senior®, Hills K/D® and Purina CNM NF-Formula®.Dogs with heart disease may lose weight. To help them gain weight add Nutrical (stimulates appetite and helps energy levels) or Energel (high calorie supplement) and a high-protein treat to their diet. Dog Food For Heart Problems - Strict Salt Restriction Canine DietFoods for dog’s that have to severely limit salt include, Hill’s H/D®, Waltham low sodium®, Purina CNM Canine CV-Formula®, Hill’s Healthblend Canine Geriatric®, and Purina CNM Feline NF-Formula®.Dog Food For Heart Problems - Food Prepared At HomeIf you are not happy with prepared dog food, you can prepare this alternative at home:¼ pound ground round or other lean beef2 cups of cooked white riceone tablespoon of vegetable oil300mg of Calcium lactate One pet vitamin If you dog refuses to eat a new food, consider mixing the old food with the new. Over time, reduce the level of old food until it is completely removed from the diet. Eating anything is better than having your dog refuse to eat at all. Natural Supplements for Canine Heart DiseaseThere are many natural supplements that can help dogs with heart disease. These include:Taurine and L-carnitrine: a good supplement for dogs with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). Fish Oil - may help with arrhythmia. Hawthorne - helps the kidneys excrete water and minerals. Tell your veterinarian if you dog is taking this supplement as it could alter blood tests. A supplement designed for dogs that combines many of these helpful herbs is MPetAlive Heart & Circulation for the natural treatment and prevention of heart disease and to improve circulation. Exercise For Dog With Heart ProblemsIn addition to diet you should consult with your Veterinarian regarding exercise. Since heart failure involves stress on the heart, exercise only serves to worsen the condition, particularly in dogs with some type of arrhythmia or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM - stretched chambers of the heart). Once heart failure is treated, your dog can usually go back on some type of light or moderate exercise program. The level of exercise should be just short of a level that would cause your dog to breath heavily or pant. If approved from your veterinarian, most dogs benefit mentally and physically from daily walks. If you dog looks tired, you should allow him or her to stop.Read More About Dog Food For Heart Problems and Canine Heart Disease SourcesHines, Ron, DVM, Home Cooked Pet Diets and NutritionNelson, O.R. - "Home Care of the Heart Failure Patient"Washington State University. Dukes, Joanne, "Caniine Heart Disease", MRCVS Department of Veterinary Medicine University, Glasgow Veterinary School, Scotland, UK Hearty Dog,http://www.heartydog.co.uk/index.shtml Hines, Ron DVM, PHD?Heat Disease in Dogs and Cats? Heart Conditions: KilatedCardiomyophaty (DCM) "Treatment for Rapid Heart Beat" Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue New Hope Animal Hospital, Canine Cardiology,"His Heart is In Your Hands" Pawprints & Purrs, Inc, "Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure" "Hole in Dog's Heart Repaired?, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
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