How can I help my dog with heart problems?
If your dog has been diagnosed with heart disease, your veterinarian could recommend a low-sodium di Read More
Should you walk a dog with heart disease?
Marina Wilkinson
2025-08-26 19:48:38
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Dogs and your health: Owning a dog may reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 31%. There was a link between people with prior heart events who had a dog living at home with a 65% reduced risk of death. Pet ownership is an important form of social support that can benefit patients with heart disease or stroke. Dogs can help with chronic conditions and prevent chronic disease. Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly may face one-third the risk of diabetes of those who don’t own a dog.
Shanna Bradtke
2025-08-21 11:22:45
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Short walks are tolerated by most dogs with mild to moderate heart disease, but excessive activity can worsen heart failure or trigger irregular heart rhythms. Since there is no cure for most forms of heart disease in dogs and cats, the goal is to allow pets to exercise enough to enjoy themselves without putting too much stress on the heart. If your dog normally pulls on the leash and walks in front of you on a walk, but partway through they now slow down and walk beside you, this might be enough (or probably too much) activity. If your dog falls behind when going for a walk, or if they sit down and need to rest, this was clearly too much activity. Animals with significant heart disease should not be pushed to exercise beyond their limits. Dogs with heart disease are often intolerant of hot and humid days, they may get short of breath early or want to cut their walk short or stop to recover during the walk. Exercise intolerance is often only present in dogs with more advanced stages of heart disease.
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What not to feed a dog with heart disease?
Avoid all shellfish, cured meats, deli meat, hot dogs/sausage, beef jerky, or offal like brains and Read More
Jo Marquardt
2025-08-13 04:28:01
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In this final stage of congestive heart failure, your dog's breathing will become difficult even when they are resting. Fluid will likely begin to accumulate in various parts of your pup's body, leading to swollen legs or abdomen, which will make walking difficult and may lead to vomiting. When your dog is in the end stages of congestive heart disease you will notice that your pup has difficulty breathing even while resting, experiences frequent bouts of coughing, develops bluish-grey color gums, possibly faints when standing and will become reluctant to walk. Your dog will also have difficulties sleeping or resting on their side. Many dogs reach a stage where they prefer to sit upright rather than lay down since an upright position can help to ease breathing. Even short walks may bring on coughing, wheezing and other noticeable signs of breathing difficulties. Now your dog's symptoms will begin to become more obvious.
Madelyn Rau
2025-08-01 12:38:00
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Weight Management: Doing regular walks burns calories and helps to maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of heart disease. Choose Suitable Routes: Consider your dog's fitness level and any health limitations when selecting walking routes in Co. Down or further afield. If you find your dog struggling in any way, perhaps lagging behind, limping, looking anxious, or being unusually out of breath, give our team at Barry's Vets a call on (028) 921 06130 to book a vet check-up. Cardiovascular Workout: A great form of cardiovascular exercise, dog walking gets the heart pumping, improves blood circulation, and helps lower blood pressure. Vary Your Pace: Alternate between brisk walks and slower-paced strolls for heart-health.
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How can dogs improve your heart health?
Owning a pet, particularly a dog, can decrease cardiovascular risk. If you own a dog, you are very l Read More
How can I slow down my dog's heart failure?
Your dog's treatment depends on what specific heart problem they have and what may be causing it. Yo Read More
Eddie Rippin
2025-08-01 11:15:43
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Dogs with heart disease will tire out more quickly on walks and during exercise. They may sleep or rest more than usual. Fatigue, Inability to Exercise – Dogs with heart disease will tire out more quickly on walks and during exercise. Although heart disease in dogs can be serious, many treatment options are available to help not only control symptoms but help your dog live a higher quality life. Diet therapy, modification of activity, and therapeutics are all strategies used to treat heart disease in dogs. Your veterinarian can help select which therapies are best for your furry friend. Modification of activity is one of the strategies used to treat heart disease in dogs.
Cecil Wolf
2025-08-01 09:42:28
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Your dog will still need regular exercise to help keep them happy, healthy and in shape. If they can’t walk as far as they used to, consider cutting their walks down but having a couple more throughout the day if they can cope and make sure to avoid hot weather. You might be told to limit or even stop ‘hard’ exercise, but your dog will still enjoy pottering around or going on a different walking route to normal. Go at your dog’s pace, which may be a tad slower than what it was. They might want to sleep a little more, so make sure they have somewhere comfy and quiet to rest if that’s what they need.
Remember to stop any activity if your dog is getting too tired and needs to rest. Keep an eye on them and let your vet know if they’re struggling more or you notice any change in their breathing.
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What is the best food for dogs with heart problems?
To determine the best way to feed your dog with CHF, you must work with your veterinarian to determi Read More
What food is good for your dog's heart?
The diet should be high in good quality, meat-based protein to maintain body mass & to provide the h Read More