Did you know, that owning a dog can support your own heart health? Yes, it’s true! Research has shown that owning a dog has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in people (1), as well as lowering the stress hormone cortisol. Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity in dogs, with an estimated 10% suffering from some kind of heart abnormality (2). In this blog we will discuss common heart diseases affecting dogs, and how diet modifications can keep them young at heart.
Heart Conditions Affecting Dogs
Congestive heart failure is a serious condition (CHF), which affects many dogs, and the risk becomes higher as they age. The heart weakens and can no longer efficiently pump blood around the body, which can lead to fluid retention.
Symptoms
- Frequent coughing as a result of fluid accumulation in the lungs
- Breathing difficulty, shortness of breath and noisy breathing as the heart is not circulating blood as efficiently
- Lack of energy
- Swelling around the body due to fluid retention
- Reduced appetite
There is an array of underlying conditions that can cause CHF, below we discuss a couple of these:
Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
MMVD is the most common cause of heart failure in dogs, accounting for 75% of cases of cardiovascular disease (3). The risk of MMVD increases as dogs age, and it’s more common in smaller breeds. This condition results in degeneration of the mitral valve in the heart, which controls blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, thus is a common cause of heart murmurs. The condition has a prolonged asymptomatic phase, meaning it may slip under the radar undetected, however once heart failure occurs, the symptoms begin to rapidly progress (5). This emphasises the importance of annual veterinary check-ups, involving a health MOT to catch any underlying conditions early. Unfortunately, MMVD does not have a cure, therefore the main goal is to slow progression of the disease.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
DCM is recognised as the 2nd most common heart disease affecting dogs (4) and is more common in larger breeds. This condition is characterised by the progressive depletion of heart cell function, paired with a decrease in heart muscle contractility (5). Chamber dilation occurs, causing the left ventricle to stretch, which weakens the muscle. As a result, systolic and diastolic dysfunction occurs. DCM also tends to have a prolonged asymptomatic phase, meaning that the condition can gradually worsen with no signs being present. Many different factors can influence a dog’s likelihood of developing DCM, including a genetic predisposition, infections, or nutrition.
DCM was first linked with diet in 1987, where the incidence of taurine-responsive DCM skyrocketed in cats fed a commercial processed diet, as taurine was not supplemented. In 2018, the FDA reported a possible association between grain-free, legume rich diets and DCM in dogs and cats (6). This was thought to be linked to taurine deficiency, however neither grain or legumes contain taurine, it’s only found in animal protein. Thus, it was hypothesised that legumes, such as peas and potato when used as a main ingredient inhibit some of the taurine uptake (7). Dogs diagnosed with DCM that were consuming a grain-free processed diet had increased dilation of the left ventricular chamber, and extended consumption of these diets increased the risk of mortality from the condition (6).
Nutrition and Heart Health
| Nutrients Which Boost Heart Health | |
| Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) | Essential for reducing inflammation, which is associated with heart failure (3). Supplementation has been found to reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrythmias in dogs with heart disease (8). |
| Taurine | Critical for heart function. Unlike cats, dogs can produce a limited amount of taurine themselves but benefit greatly from natural supplementation within their diet, as this process can be affected by the bioavailability of the dietary amino acids. These are highest in fresh animal protein, and can be degraded by high cooking temperatures (9). Taurine is also lost through bile salt conjunction during digestion, which is exasperated if the dog is consuming a diet high in starchy fibres (10). |
| L – Carnitine | Carnitine is found in high concentrations in heart and skeletal muscle, which helps ensure a supply of energy to the cells in the heart, and supports function through improving contractile strength (4). |
| Magnesium | Magnesium helps stabilise the cardiac membranes, and has a role in supporting the cardiac rhythm, as it is required for electrophysiology and function (3). In fact, mitral valve prolapse has been associated with magnesium deficiency in King Charles Cavalier Spaniels (3). |
| Vitamin E | Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant and is abundant in raw foods. Natural antioxidants help minimise oxidative stress through fighting free radicals, which can negatively impact heart contractility (4). |
How Does a Raw Diet Support Heart Health?
Nutritional support can contribute to the management of heart problems. High quality, fresh proteins are rich in bioavailable amino acids, which are important for muscle maintenance across the whole body, with the cardiac (heart) muscle being no exception. Thus, a carefully formulated, complete and balanced raw diet is the best way to support your dog’s heart health.
Meat contains a range of bioactive compounds important for heart health, such as, L-carnitine, co-enzyme Q10 and taurine (12). Raw diets are naturally high in bioavailable taurine, whereas high temperature cooking destroys taurine and L-carnitine, meaning it must be synthetically added back in. Taurine and L-carnitine have the ability to reverse signs of DCM and prolong the dog’s life expectancy (11). A high proportion of fresh meat in the diet ensures a dog’s protein requirements are easily met. Plenty of protein is important, as protein restriction can impact heart health due to the loss of lean muscle mass, which can result in cardiac cachexia and worsen the condition (4).
Bones are an excellent source of calcium, which is an essential mineral in blood coagulation, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse transmission. Another important mineral provided by bones is magnesium, which plays vital roles in the stability of muscle and nerve cell membranes.
Raw diets promote balanced and lean body mass due to their high protein and low carbohydrate levels. Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. A higher protein ratio offers a satiating effect (meaning dogs feel fuller for longer) and significantly increases the percentage of fat loss whilst maintaining lean muscle mass.
In some dogs, processed diets containing high fibre, but low protein have been associated with taurine deficiency (7). This is particularly associated with insoluble fibre, as it can decrease the crude protein digestion in the gut, directly affecting the amount of taurine and L-carnitine absorbed (11).
| Foods Which Boost Heart Health | |
| Raw Heart | Organ meats contain Omega-3 fatty acids, including the important EPA and DHA. Heart is a muscle. However, it is heavier and denser than muscle meat and contains more protein and nutrients (especially the all-important taurine). We include ox heart in all our complete meals at Cotswold RAW, as it is particularly nutrient dense. |
| Oily Fish/Salmon Oil | Provide high levels of Omega-3, which exert anti-inflammatory effects. Salmon oil is an alternative option to feeding fish. It also contains an abundance of Omega-3 fatty acids. |
| Dandelion and Nettle Leaf | Natural diuretics. Diuretics are often prescribed to control fluid accumulation in dogs with heart failure (5). We include these herbs in all of our complete meals as part of our ‘Butcher’s Blend’. |
| Alfalfa | Rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamin E. We include this herb in all of our complete meals as part of our ‘Butcher’s Blend’. |
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References
- Mubanga, M. et al., ‘Dog ownership and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death – nationwide cohort study,’ Scientific Reports, 7, 15821. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-16118-6
- Atkins, C. et al. (2009) ‘Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of canine chronic valvular heart disease. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 23, 1142-1150. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0392.x
- Laflamme, D. P. (2022) ‘Key nutrients important in the management of canine myxomatous mitral valve disease and heart failure,’ Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 260 (3), 61-70. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.07.0319
- Rizelo, P. (2022) ‘How can nutrients play a role in cats and dogs with cardiac disease,’ Improved Veterinary Practice. Available at: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/nutrients-role-cardiac-disease
- Kittleson, M. D. (2018) ‘Acquired Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders in Dogs,’ MSD Veterinary Manual. Available at: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders-of-dogs/acquired-heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders-in-dogs
- Walker, A. L. et al. (2021) ‘Association of diet with clinical outcomes in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure,’ Journal of Veterinary Cardiology, 99-109. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33741312/
- Freeman, L. M. et al. (2018) ‘Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?’ Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 253(11), 1390-1394. Available at: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/253/11/javma.253.11.1390.xml
- Smith C. E. et al. (2007) ‘Omega-3 fatty acids in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy,’ J Vet Intern Med, 21(2), 265–273. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17427387/
- Mansilla, W. D. et al. (2019) Special Topic: The association between pulse ingredients and canine dilated cardiomyopathy: addressing the knowledge gaps before establishing causation. J. Anim. Sci. 97, 983–997. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30615118/
- Royal, B. (2021) ‘The latest on the link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy and nutrition,’ Innovative Veterinary Care.’ Available at: https://ivcjournal.com/canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy-nutrition/
- McCauley, S. R. et al. (2020) ‘Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concerns,’ Journal of Animal Science, 98(6), 1-20. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32542359/
- Olson, L. (2010) Raw & Natural Nutrition For Dog
Lucy James, BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science
Looking to enhance your pet’s diet? Take a look at Cotswold RAW’s range of raw dog food and raw cat food, including raw meaty bones, dried treats, and puppy food.