This article is written to help you understand which supplements can best support your dog’s heart!
Dogs are a bit different than humans when it comes to heart diet, but the supplements needed to support both the human and canine heart are very similar! It is important, however, to understand that when it comes to diet, humans and canines are different! Humans need to reduce fat and often sodium, but you don’t need to reduce either of these for canines. Dogs, as carnivores, don’t develop plaque and buildup in the heart and valves like humans do. Nor do dogs develop cholesterol problems. IF your dog has high cholesterol, it generally means it is either a low thyroid problem, Cushing’s disease or Diabetes. You can read more on these issues here:
https://k9nutritionwithlew.com/what-does-high-cholesterol-mean-for-dogs/
Some symptoms that can be observed in dogs with heart issues include swollen abdomen (moisture build-up in the abdomen), trouble breathing, not wanting to exercise, lack of appetite, weight loss and sometimes trouble sleeping. Also, coughing without an infection can indicate heart problems.
Dog heart conditions are generally diagnosed by your veterinarian listening with a stethoscope and hearing a heart murmur. Further diagnostics are then performed with blood work and an echocardiogram. Depending on the results of these tests, your veterinarian may recommend you have your dog seen by a heart specialist. For more information on the types of heart conditions found in dogs, you can read more here:
Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs, Revised: The Definitive Guide to Homemade Meals!
Lew Olson's newly revised book is filled with an abundance of new topics and information. Whether you are new to home feeding or a seasoned raw feeder, have a senior dog or a new puppy, a pregnant mom or a toy breed, this book presents all the information you need to make the best nutritional decisions for your dog.http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/small-animal/cardiology/Pages/heart-disease.aspx
There are some supplements that assist in supporting the heart and it is important to do your research so you can sort through the good ones and those that are less credible.
This supplement is something we can produce in our bodies, but as we age, that ability decreases. Research has shown that CoQ10 can reduce blood pressure and reduce symptoms of heart failure. The dosage amounts for dogs are about 1 – 3 milligrams per pound of body weight daily. For further information on heart and COQ10, check out the information in this link:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602
Acetyl Carnitine and L-Carnitine
Acetyl Carnitine and L-Carnitine is an amino acid that is mostly found in red meats. Studies have shown this supplement to be helpful in COPD, Angina, depression, brain function, fat burning and increasing energy. While both are good, Acetyl Carnitine seems to have a few more benefits when it comes to supporting the heart. For more information on carnitine read the information here:
https://theheartinst.com/hl/?/21450/Carnitine
Dosage for Acetyl Carnitine from B-Naturals is:
10 lb. dog – 1/16 teaspoon daily
20 lb. dog – 1/8 teaspoon daily
40 lb. dog – 1/4 teaspoon daily
60 lb. dog – 3/8 teaspoon daily
80 lb. dog and up – 1/2 teaspoon daily
Studies have shown that adding taurine to the diet helps reduce blood pressure and improve cardiac function and diastolic function. It has also shown to help with eye sight, which is an additional bonus! For further information go here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2586397/
Dosage:
10 lb. dog – 1/16 Teaspoon daily
20 lb. dog – 1/8 Teaspoon daily
40 lb. dog – 1/4 Teaspoon daily
60 lb. dog – 3/8th Teaspoon daily
80 lb. dog – 1/2 Teaspoon daily
Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids, which helps reduce inflammation in the heart and helps support heart function. It is important for dogs to get omega 3 (which contains EPA and DHA) from animal-based sources because dogs cannot convert the form fount in plant oils (ALA) to a usable form. B-Naturals carries an excellent Fish Oil in capsule form. For more information on Omega 3 and its benefits to dogs click on the link below:
https://k9nutritionwithlew.com/which-is-the-best-omega-3-for-your-dog/
This supplement is a blend of antioxidants, probiotics and supportive l-glutamine, which comes in a palatable and easy-to-feed powder. It contains vitamins A, B complex, C, D3 and E. All of these help support heart health and help support the dog’s immune system. My dogs love it! For healthy dogs, I feed it at half dose. For dogs with health issues, I feed it at full dose.
The Berte’s Heart Pack includes the essentials we discussed above! It is a 5-pack product that includes Acetyl L-Carnitine, the amino acid that helps keep the heart strong, Taurine, the amino acid essential for heart health, CoQ10, the co-enzyme that is beneficial for cardiac diseases, Berte’s EPA Fish Oil, which contains the omega 3 essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation in the heart and support heart health, and Berte’s Immune Blend, which offers antioxidants, enzymes and other amino acids for optimal health.
Diet for Dogs with Heart Problems
As I mentioned earlier, dogs don’t have the same dietary needs as humans when it comes to their nutritional needs and heart problems. While humans require a reduction in fat and sodium, this is not needed in a canine’s diet. Raw and Home Cooked diets are naturally low in sodium. REMEMBER, dogs don’t get hardening of the arteries or plaque like humans do, so I continue feeding a normal diet! However, I do emphasize the need for a fresh food diet! This would include red meat, especially heart, which can be chicken, turkey, pork, lamb or beef heart. I would feed heart daily as it is rich in carnitine and taurine, and I would add the recommended dosage of CoQ10. No other special dietary needs are necessary.
SO, to recap! Feed a fresh food diet (home cooked or raw) with plenty of red meat and especially heart. If you are cooking the meats, save the juices and add them to the meal. Taurine leeches out in the juices, so to retain these. Save all the cooking juices and simply add them back into the meal. The supplements I suggest adding in are fish oil (Omega 3 fatty acid) in capsule form, CoQ10, taurine, acetyl carnitine and the Berte’s Immune Blend. All of these can be conveniently obtained in the Berte’s Heat Pack.
