How to Keep Your Pet’s Heart Healthy
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people, but animals can suffer from heart health problems as well. Fortunately, the more you know, the more you can help your pet have a heart-healthy life.
Balanced Diet
The best way to prevent heart disease in pets is to feed them a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight. Unless specified otherwise by your vet, both dogs and cats need to eat a meat-based diet that is recommended by your veterinarian.
Additionally, a cat’s diet must include taurine. Taurine is a necessary building block of amino acids that cats don’t product on their own. Therefore, avoid grain-only diets since taurine is found only in meat-based foods.
Exercise
Just because your pet eats a healthy diet does not mean he is fit. Fitness requires exercise which includes cardio. For dog owners, this is great because dogs love cardio. You can choose from walking, hiking, running, agility, swimming, and more to get your pup’s heart pumping.
However, cat owners will most likely have to be creative to get their cat to be more active. You can experiment with different toys such as a laser pointer and wand toys to inspire your kitty’s natural predator instincts. If possible, maybe try leash training your cat so you can take her for a walk.
Heartworm and Parasites
Regular heartworm prevention for dogs is necessary to avoid severe medical issues that can result from heartworms. All Pets recommends that dogs receive routine heartworm blood tests as well.
Other parasites, such as fleas and ticks, can also carry infections agents that can affect an animal’s heart. Prevention of these parasites is necessary year-round, especially in places where the weather is often mild, creating an extending living environment for the creatures.
Dental Health
Gum disease in dogs has been linked to canine heart disease. The plaque, tartar and infection in your pet’s mouth can enter the bloodstream and contribute to congestive heart failure. Make sure to maintain a healthy dental care routine and contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- foul breath
- sore gums
- bleeding
- drooling
Regular Check-Ups
When it comes to heart disease, early detection is vital to managing the disease and prolonging your pet’s life. Your veterinarian at All Pets can perform a physical exam to detect any potential heart problems before symptoms arise.
Symptoms of heart disease in pets include the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- For cats, open-mouth breathing or panting
- Weakness or fatigue
- Coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid weight loss
- Rapid or very slow heartbeat
If your pet experiences any of these symptoms, contact your vet at All Pets immediately.
These are just the basics are how to keep your pet’s heart healthy. Contact us at All Pets with the link below for more information or to schedule an appointment with your vet today!
