best dog food for senior dogs with heart issues

Best Dog Food For Senior Dogs

A long life is the result of good genes, good care, and good luck. While a few four-leaf clovers never hurt anyone, chances are its a little late to worry about good genes once youve welcomed a dog into your heart. That leaves good care as the one thing you can control now. And a big part of good care is good nutrition.

However, there are issues when it comes to feeding your senior dog. Neither the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nor the National Research Council have determined official dietary requirements for aging dogs. Its partly because senior dogs vary so much in their individual needs. That may explain why commercial foods for seniors vary so widely in nutrient levels.

Nobody expects you to be a nutritionist just to pick out a bag of dog food. But you should be aware of just a few important factors that apply to most senior dogs. This will help you choose the best dog food for your senior dog.

Dont Restrict Protein

This matter is widely misunderstood. Many people still believe senior dogs should eat less protein. We now know the opposite is true. Healthy seniors need more protein, not less, in order to fuel muscle. Loss of muscle mass is a major problem in older dogs. Some seniors lose so much muscle they can no longer walk unassisted.

Older dogs need about 50 percent more protein to maintain muscle mass compared to younger ones. But, diets formulated for adult maintenance diets often dont have enough protein to satisfy these needs. Veterinarian Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, recommends 28 to 32 percent protein on a dry-matter basis for healthy older dogs, especially in those cases where weight loss is needed.

Consider Calories

Younger seniors tend to be overweight. But, very old dogs tend to be underweight. A 2011 study found that calories in senior foods varied widely, ranging from 246 to 408 calories per cup. So, the same senior food may be a great choice if your dog needs to lose weight. But it may be a bad choice if they need to gain weight.

Dont forget that the time to consider calories is well before old age sets in. Two benchmark studies conducted by major dog food companies Purina and Waltham both found that restricting calories throughout life improved longevity and reduced illnesses. Essentially, good care for senior dogs starts in youth.

Feed For Organ Health

Other factors to consider are senior dog health problems such as heart and kidney disease. For both conditions, youll want a low-sodium food. But, that same 2011 study found that sodium levels in senior foods ranged from 33 to 412 mg/100 kcal. For kidney disease, youll want low phosphorous, but thats not even mentioned on any label. The 2011 study found phosphorous levels varied by threefold in the senior foods they examined, but were on average higher than their representative adult maintenance food.

Prescription diets are available for heart, kidney, and other diseases that take into account these nutritional needs. However, even those foods may have wide ranges of nutrients. Any dog food manufacturer should be able to provide these numbers to you on their website or with a simple phone call. While youre at it, ask them about the credentials of the people formulating their foods. If they cant provide either, thats clue number one that you should find another product.

Add Supplements

Some senior foods include supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin in an effort to combat osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, the evidence that these supplements actually work is limited. However, they wont hurtexcept maybe your wallet.

On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids probably play an important role in senior diets because they may help combat both osteoarthritis and especially cognitive losses. If you are adding your own to your dogs diet, aim for the amount of EPA and DHA combined to be in the range of 700 to 1,500 mg. Build up starting at the low end and cut back if your dog has any diarrhea or vomiting.

Theres probably more to the recipe than simply EPA and DHA, however. Research conducted at Purina tested Beagles between the ages of 9.5 and 11 years of age that were fed either a standard diet or one supplemented with antioxidants, B vitamins, fish oil, and L-arginine for six months. The dogs fed this Brain Protection Blend performed significantly better on a series of mental tasks, especially the more difficult ones, compared to the dogs not receiving the blend. The tasks involved determining which one of several shallow wells contained food when the cue was a marker either next to it, near it, or displaced at an angle; or seeing how well they did on a task requiring them to discriminate right, left, and center, and then relearning which side was correct in order to receive a reward.

Make Food Palatable For Senior Dogs

There are practical aspects of feeding your dog to consider, too. Senior dogs may have dental problems that make chewing difficult or uncomfortable. These dogs should first be treated for whatever problem they have, but if that is impossible or unsuccessful, consider wetting their food or feeding them canned or soft food. Simply feeding a smaller kibble size may help if youre feeding dry food.

Senior dogs may be uncomfortable bending down to the food bowl or standing for long periods to eat. Try serving their meals on a raised platform or encourage them to eat lying down.

Very old dogs often lose their appetite. Warming the food can increase its aroma and may help stimulate the appetite; cooling it may make it less nausea-inducing in queasy dogs. At some point you may have to abandon your goal of a healthy balanced diet and just feed him whatever he will eat. The wait until hes hungry enough tactic doesnt work in seniors because their hunger mechanism may not be working correctly. Besides, its a little late to be worried about spoiling himand even if you do, doesnt he deserve it?

This column first appeared in theSeptember/October 2019 issue of AKC Family Dogmagazine.

Homemade Dog Food For Heart Disease (ANd Some Tips For A HEalthier Doggie Heart)

Key Takeaways

• The best homemade dog food for heart disease should be rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in sodium. Avoid fatty foods.
• Some healthy food you can give a dog with heart problems include vegetables, grains, and lean meat.
• The most common causes of heart problems in dogs are genetics, weight, and diet.

The best homemade dog food for heart disease should ideally include healthy ingredients like carrots, squash, green beans, chicken and turkey meat, ground-up brown rice or wheat, and oatmeal.

I always make sure that my dogs diet is of high quality because this is an essential part of his overall health and wellness. Whenever my precious pup is suffering from any health issue, I always monitor what he eats as a part of managing the disease. Did you know that heart issues or cardiovascular disease is one of the most common illnesses for canines? For many dog owners, a major part of looking after a pup with this condition is finding the perfect homemade food. While I myself am a fan of fresh homemade meals for dogs, I advise you to consult your vet first to know your pups condition and the proper diet he needs.

Factors to Consider When Making Homemade Dog Food

There are many factors to consider when looking for the best dog food recipes, including ingredients, quality, and price. Some pet owners even get prescription diet from vets. Others subscribe to the best fresh dog food and the best dog food delivery service companies to get exactly the proper diet for a sick dog.

Ingredients are important because they determine how healthy the dog food is. For example, if you are looking for a high-quality protein source then you may want to avoid corn or soy as your protein source.

Quality is also an important factor because it determines how well your pet will digest the food and whether or not they will have any allergic reactions to it. If you are looking for a good quality pet food then make sure that the first ingredient listed on the label is meat rather than fillers.

What Causes Heart Disease in Dogs?

There are many factors that can cause heart issues in dogs. The most common ones are genetics, weight, and diet.

Some dogs simply have a genetic predisposition to heart problems; while other cases are congenital defects, meaning they are already born with it. Ive seen a few puppies that are born with heart problemsin such cases, if not treated immediately, most pups wont survive puppyhood.

Diet is another factor that can lead to heart disease in dogs. There are certain foods that should be avoided because they may cause inflammation of the arteries, congestive heart failure [1], and other cardiovascular problems. In relation to diet, overweight or obese dogs have a high risk of developing heart problems.

Possible Treatments for a Dog With Heart Failure or an Arrhythmia

Not many dog owners know this, but heart problem is one of the most common causes of death in dogs. If your pup is diagnosed with heat disease, do not fret. There are many treatments available for this condition and its important to know which ones are best for your dog.

The best treatment for a dog with heart failure or an arrhythmia depends on the severity and type of the condition. Depending on the symptoms and diagnosis, a vet will likely prescribe medications or in other cases, IV fluid therapy to control their heart rate and blood pressure. In severe cases of heart failure, surgery is needed.

How to Make the Best Homemade Dog Food for Dogs with Heart Disease

There are many homemade dog food recipes that a dog owner can follow. However, it is best if you find a recipe that has been created by someone who has had experience in making dog foods for heart disease.

Experts recommend that you feed dogs with heart issues a homemade diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in sodium. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids help in stabilizing the cells in the heart muscle [2].

Below are some of the healthiest foods or homemade dog food ingredients I highly recommend for dogs with heart disease. Again, however, I still highly recommend that you consult your vet to figure out your pups the nutritional needs based on the stage of his heart disease:

• Chicken and turkey meat
• Ground-up brown rice or wheat
• Oatmeal
• Cornmeal
• Fresh vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, squash, and carrots
• Chicken broth
• Ground flaxseed

There are many recipes that can guide you in creating a diet that is perfect for your pups needs.But remember to always consult your vet first to make sure you are giving Fido the right nutrients fit for his condition. Try my homemade dog food recipes that are good for the heartthey are really simple and easy to make.

Chicken/Turkey Rice Meal

• 1 lb. lean ground chicken breast or turkey
• 2 cups brown rice
• about 2 cups mixed vegetables (my favorite to use are broccoli, carrots, and green beans)

Directions:

1. Cook your chosen meat in a pot. Once brown, add the vegetables.
2. When the meat and vegetables are cooked, add about 6 cups of water and the rice.
3. Bring to a boil, then leave to simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Cool before serving about 1 cup of the meal for every 40 lbs of your dogs body weight.

Papaya and Apple Healthy DOg Treats Recipe

• 1/2 cup of mashed papaya
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of applesauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin

1. In a bowl, mix all ingredients together. Make sure there are no lumps that wont be served to your dog. Spread the mixture on the bottom of a small casserole dish.
2. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Break up into smaller pieces and serve to your dog.

Nutritional Analysis of this Recipe

Calories:63

Protein:0.8g

Carbohydrates:16g

Fat:1g

Calcium:132mg

Vitamin A:176mg

Vitamin C:43mg

Iron:0.2mg

Omega 3 Fats:0.6g

FAQ

What food is good for a dog with heart disease?

If you have a dog with heart problems, there are certain foods that should be avoided in their diet, namely anything high in fat, sodium, or potassium.

Dogs with heart issues can be prone to weight gain and eating foods high in fat, sodium or potassium can put undue strain on their heart. For example, foods high in salt include bacon, ham, sausage, hot dogs, and canned meat. Foods that are high in fat include lamb chops and beef tenderloin.

What vegetables are good for a dogs heart?

Dogs are not able to digest vegetables in the same way that humans can, so it is important to know which vegetables are good for a dogs heart. Sweet potatoes and carrots are two excellent choices. They offer fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, as well as other nutrients that prevent heart disease.

Can I reverse my dogs heart disease?

Sometimes heart problem is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart. This decrease in blood flow can be caused by a buildup of fats in the arteries of your dog, which is then called atherosclerosis. When these fats harden and narrow these arteries, your dogs heart wont get enough oxygen-rich blood, and its body will not be able to work as well as it should.

The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no, but rather a complicated maybe. Some breeds of dogs are naturally predisposed to cardiovascular problems, and others can be predisposed after being fed certain foods, or receiving a vaccine. The only way to know for sure is by taking your dog in for an examination.

How do you strengthen a dogs heart?

Dogs have a higher rate of heart disease than any other type of domesticated animal, which is why it is important to make sure that your dogs heart is as healthy as possible. It can be difficult to know what you should do to help your dogs heart, but there are many things that you can do to make your dogs heart stronger.

The best way to strengthen a dogs heart is to exercise. Dogs love to be active, which can be anything from taking a walk around the block or playing fetch in the backyard. However, it is important to make sure they are not overdoing it because that can stress their heart as well.