best dog food for senior dogs with heart murmur
Best Dog Food for Heart Health
Best Dog Food for Heart Health
By Karan French
Updated: March 27, 2024
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Whats the best dog food for supporting heart health?
Around 8 million dogs in the United States suffer from heart disease and roughly 95% of those are diagnosed later in life, so early detection and treatment is vital.
There are multiple types of heart disease including valvular degeneration and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but the causes of heart disease in dogs can vary depending on breed, size, age, and lifestyle.
If you suspect your dog may have a problem with their heart, seek advice from your veterinarian immediately. They will run tests to diagnose the issue and help to prepare a treatment plan to help manage the condition. In later stages of heart disease, this is usually to make your dog more comfortable rather than cure them.
Preventing heart disease in dogs can be difficult due to the varying causes, and in some cases such as congenital heart disease, it is impossible to prevent.
However, some dog foods have been formulated to promote your dogs heart health. These recipes include:
- Added taurine
- Omega 1
- Fat levels under 20% DM
These foods are not a replacement for veterinary advice, but are a way of optimizing your dogs diet to make sure it is not worsening the problem.
Below, we have compiled a list of the best dog food for heart health. Youll also learn the answer to each of the most frequently asked questions we get about a dogs heart health.
Chicken & Pomegranate is one of 8 dry recipes included in our review of the Farmina Prime product line.
Farmina Prime Chicken & Pomegranate recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37.4% protein, 19.8% fat and 34.9% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Read our review of the full Farmina Prime Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Fresh boneless chicken (26%), dehydrated chicken meat (25%), sweet potatoes, chicken fat, dried whole eggs Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 37.4 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Farmina is my favorite kibble to feed my five dogs. I feed both the grain-free and ancestral grains formulas in my rotation, topped with fresh foods and bone broth."
Turkey, Salmon & Duck is one of 11 dry recipes included in our review of the Now Fresh product line.
Now Fresh Adult Recipe with Turkey, Salmon & Duck derives the bulk of its meat protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28.9% protein, 17.8% fat and 45.3% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.
Read our review of the full Now Fresh Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients De-boned turkey, potatoes, peas, whole dried egg, potato flour Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 28.9 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild Dry product line.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from buffalo. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 35.6% protein, 20% fat and 36.4% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Water buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 35.6 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at TasteOfTheWild.com"I have been feeding them Taste of the Wild for four years now. All dogs are healthy with shiny soft coats. They love the taste, and I feel good about geeding them a high quality food."
Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables is one of 16 dry recipes included in our review of the American Journey Active Life product line.
American Journey Active Life Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27.8% protein, 16.7% fat and 47.6% estimated carbs resulting a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Read our review of the full American Journey Protein & Grains Dry Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, rice bran, peas Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 27.8 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Lucy seems quite pleased with our recent purchase of American Journey Active Life Formula Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables. We appreciate the healthy ingredients."
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which breeds are most prone to heart problems?
Some breeds are more susceptible to developing heart problems or have a history of hereditary heart disease. Some of the breeds at a higher risk from heart problems are:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Dachshund
- Miniature Poodle
- Doberman Pinscher
- Boxer
- Golden Retriever
- Schnauzer
- Great Dane
- Wolfhound
- Labrador Retriever
What are the symptoms of heart disease in dogs?
Dogs with heart problems will find everyday activities much more difficult. Symptoms of heart disease in dogs can include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing or panting
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Getting tired quickly on walks or during play
- Bloating of abdomen
- Weakness and/or collapse
- Back leg weakness or paralysis
What is the treatment for heart disease in dogs?
Treatment for heart disease in dogs depends on what type of heart problem they have, what has caused it, and what stage of heart disease your dog is in. If your dog is in the early stages, your veterinarian will most likely want to monitor the condition and ask you to return for regular check-ups.
Common treatments for heart disease in dogs include medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery.
It is also worth noting that most heart disease cannot be cured as it is progressive, so treatment is a way of slowing the condition and reducing symptoms and discomfort.
Heart Murmurs In Dogs: Grades, Symptoms, Treatment & More
Hearing from your veterinarian that your dog has a heart murmur is, understandably, a scary moment. After all, no one wants to hear that their dog has a potential health issue. So, its natural that before understanding more about their condition, you may fear the worst. However, dog heart murmurs can mean a lot of things, and the prognosis for a dog or puppy with a heart murmur can be very variable. Some may require immediate treatment, while others may not cause a problem at all and could disappear with time. So, what is a dog heart murmur? What causes them, and what does it mean for your dog if they have one?
What is a heart murmur in dogs?
Simply speaking, a heart murmur is an extra heart sound. In dogs, the heart makes two sounds as the muscles contract and the heart valves close, creating the distinctive lub-dub sound.A heart murmur is an extra noise before, after, during, or between the lub-dub and is often described as a whoosh. This noise is due to turbulent blood flow through the heart and is graded from I to VI according to how loud it is.
Different breeds are prone to different types of heart problems. For instance, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is particularly prone to mitral valve disease, as are many other small breeds of dog, while Dobermans, Cocker Spaniels, and some other large and giant dog breeds are prone to dilated cardiomyopathy. Top 10 dog breeds affected by heart problems are:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Dachshund
- Miniature Poodle
- Doberman Pinscher
- Boxer
- Golden Retriever
- Schnauzer
- Great Dane
- Irish Wolfhound
- Labrador Retriever
Heart murmur grades in dogs
- Grade I A grade I heart murmur can only be heard in perfectly quiet conditions and if the stethoscope is placed in exactly the right place on the chest. It is very focal, and the sound does not radiate elsewhere.
- Grade II A grade II heart murmur can be heard easily with a stethoscope but is very soft. Like a grade I heart murmur, the sound is focal.
- Grade III A grade III heart murmur can be heard easily with a stethoscope and is moderately loud. Rather than being focal, you might be able to hear it in the region surrounding the point of maximal intensity (PMI).
- Grade IV A grade IV murmur is loud and can usually be heard with a stethoscope in multiple areas on both sides of the chest. However, it cannot be felt by placing a hand on the chest.
- Grade V A grade V murmur is loud, can usually be heard throughout the chest, and can be felt as a thrill when a hand is placed over the heart. However, if the stethoscope is lifted off the skin, the murmur cannot be heard.
- Grade VI A grade VI murmur can be heard loudly throughout the chest, and the thrill is felt easily. It is so loud that it can be heard even with the stethoscope lifted off the chest.
What causes a dog heart murmur?
A dog heart murmur isnt a diagnosis but more a symptom or clinical finding related to an underlying condition. Here are some of the possible causes of a heart murmur:
A hole in the heart
A hole in the heart, also known as a ventricular septal defect or an atrial septal defect, can cause blood to flow between the two sides of the heart. This is heard as a murmur and may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms.
An abnormal blood vessel
The Ductus Arteriosus is a tiny vessel that is present in puppies when they are in the womb. It allows blood to bypass the lungs since the pup is not breathing or requiring oxygen via this route yet. In most puppies, the vessel closes itself around the time of birth. However, very occasionally, the vessel remains, and blood continues to flow through the vessel. This is known as a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), and surgery is usually needed to manually close the vessel.
A leaky heart valve
One of the more common causes of heart murmurs is a leaky heart valve. If the valves between the atria and ventricles dont form a tight seal, blood can flow from the ventricles back into the atria rather than around the body or to the lungs. This stream of backflowing blood forms a high-velocity jet, which causes the murmuring sound.
A narrow vessel
Sometimes, the vessels that lead out of the heart (the aorta and the pulmonary artery) can be narrowed at their connection with the heart. This is because there are natural valves in this position to prevent backflow. However, if these valves are too effective, they can obstruct blood from leaving the heart, causing a murmur due to the resistance and pressure.
A change in chamber size
Certain conditions, including Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), cause the heart ventricles to become enlarged and baggy. This can sometimes create turbulent flow and cause a murmur, although not all dogs with DCM will have a heart murmur.
A change in blood thickness
The flow of the blood through the heart can be altered if the viscosity changes (i.e., it is thicker or thinner in consistency). This can create murmurs.
Anemia
An example of a murmur caused by a change in viscosity is a hemic murmur. When a dog is anemic, their blood is thinner because there are fewer red blood cells, and a murmur can be heard at very low levels.
Other Causes
A heart murmur may also be caused by heartworm infestation or a tumor of the heart tissue.
What causes a heart murmur in puppies?
Puppies can be affected by many of the heart murmur causes listed above. However, many murmurs in puppies are not a sign of a heart problem or poor health but a physiological murmur that will disappear with time.
If your vet hears a heart murmur while examining your puppy, they will check for other symptoms and assess their overall health. If there are no obvious concerns and the murmur is low-grade, they are likely to recommend a return visit in a month or two to check that the murmur has gone or improved. If there are any concerns that it isnt a puppy murmur, they may recommend a heart scan to check.
What are the symptoms of a heart murmur in dogs?
If your dog has a heart murmur, they may not have any symptoms at all. However, here are some of the signs of an advanced-stage heart murmur in dogs that you should keep an eye out for:
- Coughing Dogs with a heart murmur may eventually develop congestive heart failure. This causes fluid to build up in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema, which leads to a soft, moist cough.
- Exercise Intolerance Dogs with heart failure may be less keen or able to run and play, and they may tire more easily or experience panting.
- Elevated breathing rate at rest There are lots of situations where your dogs breathing rate could change due to excitement or exertion. However, if theyre breathing more rapidly while theyre sleeping, this could be due to heart failure.
- Pale or purple/blue gums Blood that doesnt contain enough oxygen may look purple-ish blue. This is called cyanosis and is noticeable on the gums.
- Lethargy Dogs with weak hearts can become more tired and are commonly known to nap more than an average dog of the same age. This can also be evident in a reduced ability to exercise, as mentioned above.
- Collapse Also known as syncope, some cardiac conditions can lead to fainting episodes if the circulation isnt providing enough oxygen to your dogs organs and tissues. If your dog has an episode of collapse, your vet will ask questions to identify exactly what happened. This will help them rule out other similar incidents like seizures or mobility problems.
Is there a dog heart murmur treatment?
Depending on the cause of your dogs heart murmur, there may not be any required treatment. If the cause is related to the heart, but the murmur is low grade, with no changes to the heart function and no symptoms being displayed, all that is required is close monitoring.
Your veterinarian may recommend regular heart scans to check the hearts appearance and function, and theyll want you to keep a close eye out for symptoms.
Some medications help delay the onset of symptoms, but they must be given at the right stage of the disease. If your dog is showing symptoms of heart failure, or if there is an identifiable, treatable cause like heartworm or anemia, treatment will be required.
Surgery
Surgical treatment for heart murmurs is sometimes an option, depending on the cause. For example, if the cause of the murmur is a narrowing of one of the blood vessels leaving the heart, like pulmonic stenosis or aortic stenosis (both very serious heart conditions), a special catheter with a balloon can be passed through the vessel, and gently inflated, expanding the narrowed area and relieving any obstruction.
If your puppy has a patent ductus arteriosus, where one of the fetal vessels that should close at birth stays open, surgery can be performed to close the vessel. Similarly, mitral valve disease, where the valve between the left atrium and ventricle doesnt form a good seal, can now be treated in some top hospitals with specialist surgery to replace the valve.
What medication is used to treat heart murmurs in dogs?
The medication used to treat a heart condition in dogs will vary, depending on the diagnosis. If a dog has a heart murmur due to a leaky valve but isnt showing symptoms of heart failure yet, they may benefit from a medication that helps the heart muscle pump more effectively.
However, given at the wrong stage of the disease, this could cause deterioration. Once heart failure has developed, a dog may also require medication to alter their blood pressure, control their heart rhythm, and remove fluid from their lungs, chest, or abdomen (like water tablets in people). Unfortunately, there is no cure for heart disease in humans or in dogs.
Heart murmur in dogs: life expectancy
The life expectancy of a dog with a heart murmur depends on the cause of the murmur and the stage when it is found. If found early and treatment started at the right time, dogs can live for several years on medication. However, if their heart function is severely affected and medication doesnt cause an improvement, dogs may be less likely to live very much longer.
Can Pet Insurance Help Treat A Dog Heart Murmur?
Yes, we have heard many stories of how pet insurance helps owners manage the terrifying reality of a heart murmur in their dog. However, owners must have an active pet insurance policy with this coverage in place before the condition is diagnosed since most companies do not cover preexisting conditions.
According toFetch Pet Insurance,Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are commonly treated for heart murmurs, mitral valve insufficiency, and seizures.Fetchs claims show that the average cost for these illnesses is as follows:
- Heart murmurs:$990
- Mitral valve insufficiency:$1,143
- Seizures:$1,454
Frequently Asked Questions
How do dogs get heart murmurs?
Dogs can be born with structural abnormalities of the heart or associated vessels, which can lead to heart murmurs from birth. However, some heart murmurs are acquired if a valve changes shape or another heart condition develops.
Can anxiety cause heart murmurs in dogs?
Anxiety might make a low-grade murmur easier to hear, but it cannot cause a heart murmur where there isnt one.
Are heart murmurs common in older dogs?
Heart murmurs are more common in older dogs, but dogs of any age can have them. Many puppies have innocent physiological murmurs that disappear as they grow.
Managing Heart Conditions
Heart murmurs in dogs are very complex, so its understandable that, as a pet parent, you might be confused and overwhelmed when told your dog has one. Rest assured that your veterinarian will give you the information and guidance you need to keep your pet as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Your vet will most likely recommend you schedule an appointment with a cardiologist who can take echograms and further examine your dogs heart condition and give you more detailed treatment options based on the grade and cause. Learn more about other heart-related topics, including grain-free dog food diets and how to perform CPR on your dog.
Tagged With: Heart
