At Mersey Raw, we face many questions from owners seeking dietary help for their dogs with health conditions. We believe that diet can affect everything, greatly impacting your dog's overall health, including their heart. Diet alone is unable to cure certain diseases, but it can certainly play an important role.
Read on as we explore common heart conditions and how raw dog food for heart disease may potentially be beneficial.
What is Heart Disease in Dogs?
Heart disease in dogs is considered any type of abnormality of the heart that affects the way it functions. It’s relatively common in dogs, with common conditions including Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), among more.
Research carried out by the Royal Veterinary College shows:
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Cardiac disease is one of the most common conditions presented to vets
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An estimated 15% of dogs may show signs of cardiac disease
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DMVD accounts for 75% of all cases of dog heart failure
Common Heart Conditions Affecting Dogs
Several types of heart conditions affect dogs, but what are the most common?
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)
Mitral valve disease (MVD) is a chronic heart disease in dogs caused by the mitral valve degenerating and thickening. This causes leaks, which leaves the heart working harder. In many cases, this progressive condition leads to an enlarged heart and eventually congestive heart failure (CHF).
However, progression to CHF doesn’t always occur. Davies Veterinary Specialists states that despite many older dogs having MVD, only 25 to 50% go on to experience symptoms of heart failure.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs is a condition in which fluid builds up and becomes congested due to the heart's inability to pump blood around the body properly. When CHF is present, fluid often accumulates in either the chest, abdomen, or often both. This can cause a range of difficult symptoms for dogs, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and collapse.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease that affects the heart muscle specifically, causing it to weaken and become thinner than it should be. When dogs suffer from DCM, their heart often enlarges, become floppy, present an irregular heartbeat, and struggle to pump blood properly. While DCM can affect dogs of all sizes, it may affect large or giant breeds more commonly, says PDSA.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease in Dogs
Signs and symptoms of heart disease in dogs may present differently depending on how long they’ve had the condition. For example, early signs of heart disease in dogs may be subtle, but as the disease progresses, symptoms could be more apparent:
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Coughing - Coughing and heart disease in dogs is commonly caused by fluid build-up in the lungs due to the heart becoming enlarged and unable to pump blood as efficiently throughout the body
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Breathing Issues - Due to the fluid build-up in the lungs, dogs may find it difficult to breathe properly, showing faster breathing rates compared to normal
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Bloating - Again, when a dog's heart is weakened, it won't pump blood around the body as efficiently, causing fluid to accumulate on the dog's abdomen, appearing as bloating
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Lethargy - Like many conditions, heart disease can cause lethargy in dogs, making them resistant to exercise and general activity
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Collapsing - When your dog's heart fails to pump oxygen-rich blood to parts of their body, including their brain, they may lose consciousness and collapse
If you suspect heart disease in your dog, we urge you to seek veterinary assistance.
The Link Between Diet and Canine Heart Health
A wide range of factors can come into play when it comes to heart disease in dogs. However, diet could potentially have a huge impact. It's certainly known that low-quality, processed dog foods are doing no favours for our pets, but it's unknown whether they're the direct cause of heart disease.
Despite this, we must support our dogs' health in the best way we can, more so if you've recently received the sad news that your dog has heart disease. We can do this by feeding healthy, all-natural foods to support your dog's heart health.
Food to Support Your Dog's Heart Health
Understanding your dog's diet is essential for their heart health, so what food should you consider feeding them?
1 - Raw Protein
Raw meat and offal provide many great benefits for dogs! Raw protein sources are packed with healthy nutrients and fatty acids, all of which are beneficial for dogs with heart disease. Unlike cooked dog food, such as kibble, raw meat remains in its natural state - this means that no nutrients are being lost during the damaging heat process.
2 - Low-Sodium Food and Treats
While it can be really hard to resist treating your dog, it’s important to avoid giving dogs any human treats, like bacon, sausages, and deli meats, as they have high sodium content. This also applies to some low-quality dog foods and ultra-processed treats.
3 - Fruit and Vegetables
Certain fruits and vegetables given in moderation may be beneficial for dogs with heart disease, such as:
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Blueberries
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Broccoli
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Carrots
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Green Beans
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Sweet Potato
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Apples
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Bananas
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Pumpkin
Note: It's important to consult with a veterinary professional if you have any concerns or questions about introducing new foods to your dog with heart disease.
Why Raw Dog Food for Heart Disease?
Raw food for dogs can potentially support heart health by providing essential nutrients, such as aurine and L-carnitine, to benefit heart functionality.
Quality Protein
Raw diets contain high-quality raw meat, offal, and fish, which are easily digestible and essential for your dog's heart health. Quality protein is natural and unprocessed, providing the most species-appropriate food for your dog.
Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are often found in fish, are great for dogs with heart disease. Several benefits come from feeding fatty acids as part of your dog's raw diet, whether it be within the food itself, or through adding tasty meal toppers or treats, such as sprats.
Rich in Antioxidants
Vitamins C and E play key roles in reducing inflammation, which could be potentially beneficial for dogs with heart disease.
No Additives
Most commercial dog foods contain additives, fillers, and preservatives. However, raw dog food is free from these harmful ingredients, offering only whole, healthy food for your dog to enjoy without worrying about nasty fillers or carbohydrates.
How Mersey Raw Can Help!
At Mersey Raw, we understand how important your dog's health is to you. This is why we’ve made it our mission to provide a range of tasty and healthy raw meat minces to dogs across the UK. We strongly believe that raw diets can change lives - our raw minces are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, providing a natural diet to support your dog's health.
We’ve made it easier than ever to feed raw with our handy subscription service, which many owners are benefiting from. Whether you want to shop individual minces or prefer our knowledgeable team to handle things for you, we’ve got you covered!
If you have any questions or need advice, don’t hesitate to contact us today.