It’s heart health month, and we would like to share how to keep your pets as healthy as possible! Think of your heart like the engine in a car: it’s what keeps your body, the whole machine, running. We spend a lot of time trying to keep ourselves healthy, but what about our furry friends?
To understand pet heart health, we must first understand how to keep them healthy overall.
Help Them Maintain a Healthy Weight
One of the “easiest” ways to keep pets healthy is to help them maintain a healthy weight. Animals don’t understand the concept of portion control or dieting, so it’s up to us to be their eyes and stick to a steady feeding plan. You should also fully understand your animal/breed’s ideal weight, as excess weight can strain their heart and other organs.
Keep Up Their Daily Activity Levels
It’s cute when our animals are curled up with us in bed, sleeping in their cat tree, or lazing about on the floor; however, being too sedentary is dangerous for them! You can keep pet heart health in check by simply encouraging age-appropriate exercise throughout the day. Regular exercise improves circulation, strengthening the heart, and comes in the form of one-on-one playtime, walks, or toys.
Feed them Healthy Foods
There’s nothing wrong with a treat now and then – even us humans like a slice of cake or fried foods sometimes. However, going overboard can negatively impact heart health, which is why quality foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are essential.
Research Breed Risks
No two breeds are exactly alike, and unfortunately, some breeds are predisposed to heart disease. Understanding dog and/or cat breed risk factors is a huge part of caring for them and understanding their needs a little more intimately.
Common Heart Diseases in Dogs
A large part of dog heart disease prevention is learning about the common diseases that plague them. Heart disease is more common in dogs than in humans, and ailments such as Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and heart valve regeneration are a very real concern for these animals. Another major canine concern is heartworm, which restricts blood flow and causes pulmonary embolism.
Common Heart Diseases in Cats
Many heart diseases affect adult cats, but can be diagnosed in kittens as well, depending on breed predisposition. One major issue our kitties face is restrictive cardiomyopathy, another being dilated cardiomyopathy (affecting the heart muscle itself). One of the most common heart diseases cats face is Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is deadly if left untreated.
Introduce Supplements if Needed
Many of us take vitamins every day to boost our energy, sharpen our minds, and improve heart strength. There are special supplements your pets can take that support heart health and fill in the “gaps” they may be missing nutritionally.
Understanding the Importance of Pet Heart Health
Owning a pet is one of the most rewarding things you can do, but it is also a huge responsibility. Supplying basic needs like food, water, and shelter is great, but is only the start of how your animals need your help. If you’re curious about what supplements they can take or the best food for them, or simply want to know more about pet heart health, give Old Dominion Veterinary Clinic a call and set up an appointment today!
