Heart Supplements for Dogs: What You Need to Know
You may have seen heart supplements for dogs on the shelves of your local pet shop or online, but do you know enough about them? What you do know is that to help our dogs live happy and healthy life, it is vital to provide them with the best care possible.
In addition to the natural genetic predisposition of certain dog breeds for heart disease, heart supplements can also serve as a safeguard against congenital defects and diseases, such as dilated cardiomyopathy. This article will cover some general information about these supplements and their benefits for your dog’s health.
The first step should be taking a physical examination at the vet’s office before buying any supplement for your dog. The vet will try to determine any existing heart problem and prescribe an appropriate treatment. The specialist will analyze the breed, age, weight and other characteristics of your dog to make a proper diagnosis.
This is very important because heart issues in dogs can manifest themselves in different ways depending on your pet’s health and genetic predispositions.
The vet might also recommend a complete examination for your dog at the animal hospital such as blood tests and X-rays. Dogs are just like humans — blood tests are the most common diagnostic method. A complete blood test measures different components that are directly or indirectly related to the heart.
It is necessary to determine concentrations of electrolytes, cardiac enzymes and potassium levels to identify problems with the heart. A low level of potassium is often a sign of a problem with the heart, especially in younger dogs.
Check out our Nutrition Strength Heart Support for Dogs supplement here.
Table of Contents:
- Which Are the Most Common Heart Problems in Dogs?
- What Are the Most Useful Heart Supplements for Dogs?
- How Can Our Pet Get All These Micro- and Macronutrients?
- Nutrition Strength Heart Support for Dogs
Which Are the Most Common Heart Problems in Dogs?
Heart problems are very common in dogs, especially in breeds with short snouts. These are the ones that have the highest predisposition for heart disease. Some of the most common inherited heart problems that can be found in these breeds are dilated cardiomyopathy, subaortic stenosis, cardiac arrhythmias and tricuspid valve dysplasia.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs
Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common fatal diseases among dogs, but fortunately, it is not as frequently detected as other heart defects. This condition has become a major public health problem due to its high rate and occurrence in both domestic animals (both wild-caught / reported and imported).
The exact mechanisms underlying hemodynamic instability may be less clear; however, two distinct groups have been identified:
- Non-cardiac arrhythmias affecting ventricular syncope occurring with increased plasma levels of troponin C2 — another molecule involved by arterial blood flow regulation.
- Cardiac arrest involving sudden death following acute pulmonary embolism.
Subaortic Stenosis
Subaortic stenosis is another common disease among dogs. That can occur at any age but has a strong effect on puppies because of the very small size and length that they are born with. The pups have to learn how (or if) their lives will last for them to be able to develop these muscles properly later on.
Your dog’s brainstems may not work correctly; you’ll find some areas being damaged by oxygen deprivation from stressors such as playing too much or eating bad food while your dog takes short breaks during walking/runs every day. Your dog might also experience tremies when moving his head back and forth quickly just before sleeping time. That could result partly in cerebral palsy.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias are common not only in people but in dogs also. They lead very fast to changes in cardiac rhythm and the transport of oxygen to the brain of the puppy. And since dogs grow up being bred from an early age for endurance, they have inherited a predisposition towards developing these conditions later on.
Therefore, heart murmur in dogs typically cannot be detected until more than half their life is spent under controlled or high-stress situations (at least one hour per day). That makes it difficult even to find them with routine tests. That could take several hours after hearing your dog cry within 5 minutes anyway.
What Are the Most Useful Heart Supplements for Dogs?
Dogs have very similar physiology to that of humans. Probably that is why they are our good friends all our lives. In addition to the similarities between the observed types of cardiac pathology, we see common ground in terms of treatment and prevention.
It is no surprise to anyone that the most commonly used dietary supplements here are carnitine, hawthorn, selenium, magnesium and potassium. Now let’s take a look at each of them and examine the effect they have on the body and lifespan of your pet.
Check out our Nutrition Strength Cardio Support for Dogs supplement here.
Carnitine for Dogs
As it has already become clear, dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common diseases. It is genetic, which means that the risk of transmitting it to newborns is very high. Early treatment of dogs is life-saving.
The use of various medications and supplements would lead to the prevention of fatal conditions, such as arrhythmias. Leading veterinarians recommend the use of carnitine, and especially L-carnitine, often in the company and taurine.
The function of carnitine is primarily to transport long-chain fatty acids from the cytosol to cells in their mitochondria. There they are subjected to additional esterification and are eventually used as an energy source. The deficiency of carnitine leads to their deposition inside the cells.
This “greases” them and slows down all other synthetic processes. After all, other important processes such as protein synthesis cannot take place. Thus, the cells increase in size and elasticity is lost due to a disrupted cytoskeleton.
Eventually, the heart becomes a bag-like organ, unable to pump enough blood. And what do we see on our dog? It does not get enough oxygen to the heart and brain, which leads to delayed activity. Our dog no longer runs as before, and at some points, may even lose consciousness.
To diagnose this disease, we must perform a genetic test or echocardiography. But how many of you do this regularly for your pet? That is why it is much easier to give him carnitine supplements. That would prolong the dogs’ lifespan many times, and you will be more than happy in his company for more time.
Hawthorn for Dogs
Hawthorn is a phytochemical that is part of alternative medicine. Often some cultures deny the effects of this branch of science because there is not enough evidence for their benefits.
But there are others, such as the Chinese, which relies mainly on this type of approach. That is the homeland of hawthorn, where several healers have established the positive effect of the drug on the gastrointestinal tract and the heart of humans and animals.
Later, other peoples from distant lands saw for themselves its effects. Today, however, we are already talking about evidence-based medicine. Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit, judicious and reasonable use of the newest evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients and mammals.
A brief literature review shows that in recent years many professional studies and reports have been conducted. That shows the preventive effect on the body.
Hawthorn is mainly used as a phytochemical, reducing the risk of developing heart pathology. According to the New York Heart Association (NYHA), it is a suitable dietary supplement for patients with heart failure. World-leading veterinarians recommend supplements in adult dogs to reduce the likelihood of developing arrhythmias and heart attacks.
But we all know that the earlier a prevention starts, the better the effect on the body. That is why we recommend the hawthorn berry for dogs as an active food supplement in the regime of your pet throughout its life.
Selenium for Dogs
One of the main reasons for the development of heart disease in dogs is impaired antioxidant function. That leads to impaired metabolism and deposition of atherosclerotic plaques. The connections, of course, are much more complicated, but the effect is clear — often the end is fatal and could have been avoided by properly regulating the processes.
It is believed that the lack of antioxidants is the main reason for the development of cancer in both humans and mammals. That is why we need to worry about whether unnecessary substances are excreted from our bodies properly.
Selenium plays an important role in this process. It is a trace element needed for neutralizing toxic agents. Dog food from stores is often produced according to certain norms. One of them is the sufficient amount of this element.
However, the one we prepare for our pets is not standardized. That can be the main reason for the lack of some vital micro- and macroelements in the body of dogs.
In addition to the reduced risk of developing a neoplastic disease, the effect of selenium on the animal’s body is enormous. There is also an improvement in heart function and blood supply to various organs. Males increase their fertility, regardless of their age. We also see improved physical activity as well as longer life for our pets.
Check out our Nutrition Strength Coenzyme Q10 for Dogs supplement here.
Magnesium for Dogs
Magnesium is one of the essential trace elements for the body of every animal, including humans. It is part of some key enzymes in the cell, which mediates various processes — transport across cell membranes, synthesis of DNA and RNA molecules, the excitability of membranes, and subsequent contraction.
The last one is very typical for the myocardium. Therefore, in too low concentrations of the trace element, it is impossible to see contractile activity. That leads to arrhythmias, and the dog feels it as a skipping heartbeat. Ultimately, this can lead to chronic lack of oxygen, the development of heart attack, stroke and other similar processes.
Several worldwide studies show that proper regulation of magnesium levels in the body leads to improved heart function. On the other hand, it is also a reason for prolonging life. Often we and our pets do not get enough magnesium from food, especially if it is home-cooked.
That is why it’s good for food supplements to contain some, albeit minimal, amount of magnesium. This way, we can be sure that our most loyal friend stays away from a state of hypomagnesaemia. In the end, it will be longer with us, enjoying good physical activity.
Potassium for Dogs
Potassium is one of the main elements in the body of all mammals, including dogs. Its normal ranges in the bloodstream help maintain the normal excitability of the cell membrane. That is vital for the transmission of nerve impulses in the heart and the generation of contractions.
Ultimately, thanks to this, the cardiovascular system works as a whole — it pumps blood and the oxygen and macronutrients it contains. They are important for the existence of the whole organism and the preservation of life expectancy.
Disturbances in potassium concentration most often lead to arrhythmias in animals. They cannot perform their physical activity properly and begin to lead a much more stagnant lifestyle.
One of the main blood tests we do is determine the potassium concentration. It is often in low concentrations in the food that our pets eat. Therefore, it is good to include this macronutrient as part of dietary supplements.
How Can Our Pet Get All These Micro- and Macronutrients?
It may have become clear to everyone that sometimes food is not enough to meet the needs of our pets. Therefore, if we want them to live long and happily with us, it is good to stick to additional supplements.
They must be given regularly if we want to take care of our best friend – the dog. One of the most suitable preparations currently on the market is Nutrition Strength. It contains everything necessary for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system and the whole organism.
All these substances — carnitine, hawthorn, selenium, magnesium and potassium are part of these heart pills for dogs. In its composition, we can also find Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 and other phytonutrients that strengthen the dog’s body.
In addition to the rich composition, Nutrition Strength is free of gluten molecules. That means these heart pills for dogs are also suitable for their gastrointestinal tract.
Also they do not lead to additional inflammation that would cause discomfort in your dog. Thanks to these tablets, you will prolong the dog’s lifespan and take care of his proper health.
As dogs age, they have a greater risk of developing heart disease. The supplements that you use can be beneficial in many ways to your dog. Some heart supplements for dogs are not only improving the dogs health, but also preventing future life threatening events from happening.
Dog owners always have the option to prevent signs of aging early with the use of supplements. We all want our pets around for as long as possible; no one wants to see their pup aging before their very eyes!
That is why we recommend that you take care of your pet in the best possible way. Stick to regular checkups and do not ignore the change in a physical and emotional state. They can be indicators of an impending problem that can be easily prevented, especially when it comes to the cardiovascular system.
Nutrition Strength Heart Support for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Heart Support for Dogs supplement here.
Image credit: Petrwegr / Wikimedia.
