Nutrition plays an important role
in managing dogs with heart disease. Some supplementation may
also prove beneficial.
In order for the heart to be as full
of blood as possible when it pumps, the body tries to conserve
fluid by signalling to the kidneys to retain water and sodium.
This is no real solution because the heart still pumps inefficiently.
Eventually, the conservation of fluid
becomes counterproductive. This causes swelling (oedema), in the
lungs or liver. This is congestive heart failure.
Many dogs with heart failure can
be managed successfully with medication and proper diet. Diet
is used to help reduce any swelling and anti-oxidant supplementation
may provide vital nutrients needed to maintain a healthy heart.
Dogs with heart disease are given
a low-sodium diet, just as humans are. Salt can increase fluid
retention, making the heart work harder. Decreasing the salt content
of the diet reduces the workload of the heart, which is already
working to capacity.
Most commercial dog foods are high
in salt. This makes the diets tasty but can be fatal for heart
For any dog suffering with heart
disease is to start a low-sodium diet. It may take several weeks
to convert your dog to a diet low in sodium.
Provide fresh water at all times. Distilled water is the best.
The use of water softeners should be discouraged as they add sodium
to the water in exchange for calcium.
On your vete recommendation, give
medication to help the heart beat more efficiently and decrease
the amounts of fluids collecting in the body.
Ensure the dog maintains an appropriate
weight. Animals that are overweight are more likely to have further
impaired heart and lung function.
Dogs fed a low salt diet will initially eat less if they are usually
used to eating a high salt commercial diet. This may result in
a thin dog or a dog which will initially loose weight. If the
dog is already overweight the weight loss is a good thing.
Supplementation of the diet may help
the heart to function optimally.
One nutrient with specific actions is L-carnitine, a vitamin-like
amino acid. It is an essential amino acid which improves the heart
Dogs have more difficulty than any other species in conserving
L-carnitine. Much of it is excreted in the urine and is poorly
reabsorbed by the dogs kidney. Carnitine is therefore an important
supplement for any dog with dilated cardiomyopathy especially
Boxers but can also be for Cocker spaniels, Dobermans and Great
Carnitine is found naturally in meat but this provides only a
fraction of the amount needed to treat this condition.
Carnitine can also be synthesized in the liver from the amino
acids methionine and lysine if sufficient ascorbic acid, niacin,
pyridoxine and iron are present.
Taurine supplementation is also important in dogs with cardiomyopathy,
especially Cocker Spaniels.
Anti-oxidants, especially beta-carotene (or vitamin A), vitamin
E and Vitamin C are also important for dogs with heart disease.
These substances require micronutrients to be effective, including
zinc, copper, manganese, iron and selenium.
Anti-oxidants help to remove the free radicals that contribute
to many degenerative diseases, including heart disease.
Additional nutrients that provide adequate oxygenation of the
heart muscles include, coenzyme Q, germanium, dimethylglycine
and superoxide dismutase. These are obtained from anti-oxidants,
Advise seeking advice from your veterinary
surgeon before using dietary supplements.
pet health problems
John Burns Pet Health