Diet Tips for Pets with Heart Disease

If your pet gets diagnosed with heart disease, as his owner, it is important for you to be proactive in helping your furry friend live with his new condition. Heart disease occurs when a pet shows evidence of a heart abnormality, such as a heart murmur, enlarged heart, or valve changes. While there is no end-all-be-all, best diet for your pet, there are steps you can take to improve what goes into his body.

1. Maintain an Ideal Body Weight: This is a major factor in helping your pet live with heart disease. Both weight loss and obesity can be a killer in pets with this condition. When a pet with heart disease losses weight, its muscles are broken down before its fat, which leads to muscle wasting and negative effects on its strength, immune system, and length of survival. Talk to your vet about what your pet should be eating to maintain an ideal weight.
2. Keep Up the Protein Levels: While some older research suggests limiting your pet’s protein intake, protein restriction for pets with heart disease can have a negative impact. Losing important muscle mass can decrease your pet’s chance of survival. Most times, a high-protein diet with at least 25-30% for dogs and 40-50% for cats is recommended.
3. Address Nutrient Deficiencies: Certain kinds of heart disease are caused by taurine or carnitine deficiencies, so your vet may suggest testing these levels. Even if your pet’s form of heart disease is not caused by these deficiencies, adding these supplements to his diet could help, since carnitine supports heart muscle energy production and metabolism. You can get these supplements at any health food store.
4. Add Beneficial Supplements: There are several other supplements your pet can take to improve his life with heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and extend his life. Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 are both antioxidants that can also improve your pet’s condition. Talk to your vet about the possible benefits that can come from adding supplements to your pet’s diet.

There are several high-quality commercial pet foods that provide suitable nutrient levels for dogs and cats living with heart disease. Your best bet is talking to a trusted veterinarian about the best approach to take when adjusting your pet’s diet to its condition. Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has been trusted to treat pets since 1989. Call us today at 908-464-0023 to schedule an appointment to keep your pet healthy.