homemade dog food for heart murmur

Recipe: Homemade Dog Food for Heart Disease

The diet that you feed your dog will be directly related to his overall health and well-being. If your dog is suffering from health problems, the right diet should be an integral part of his treatment. Just be sure to consult your veterinarian before switching to thishomemade dog food for heart disease.

I know the diagnosis of heart disease can be overwhelming. This condition is more common than you may think. According to Veterinary Centers of America Animal Hospitals, about 1/3 of dogs over 10 years of age have some form of cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that proper nutrition could slow the progression of heart disease and/or reduce the amount of medication that your dog will have to take. Of course, the right diet will also provide your dog with a better quality of life; a healthier dog is a happier dog!

But, before you begin thinking that this recipe is going to help manage your dog's heart disease, youMUST consult your veterinarian or a trained canine nutritionist. Just because this recipe has been beneficial for some dogs with heart problems does not mean it will be what is best for your pup.

Your veterinarian will evaluate your dog and evaluate this recipe. They will be able to tell you whether this recipe will offer your Fido a complete and balanced diet. They may also recommend adding supplements, vitamins, or minerals to this homemade dog food for heart disease.

RELATED:Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs 10 Things You Should Know

Homemade Dog Food for Heart Disease Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey
• 2 cups UNCOOKED brown rice
• 6 cups water
• 10 ounce package of frozen vegetables (I used broccoli, cauliflower and carrots)
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary

Directions

As you will see in my video guide above, this recipe is extremely easy to prepare. First, brown the ground turkey in a large pot over medium heat. Once the turkey is brown, add the water, vegetables, rice and rosemary to the pot.

Lower the heat and allow this homemade dog food for heart disease to simmer for 20-25 minutes. You'll know when it is down when all of the excess water has been absorbed.

Once the recipe has cooled, you can feed it to your dog.The recommended serving size is about 1/2 cup for every 20 pounds of body weight.Of course, you need to consult your veterinarian before serving this diet. More active dogs may need more calories, while senior pets and lazier breeds may not need as many calories.

Your veterinarian may also recommend adding supplements to this recipe to make it complete and balanced for your pooch. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 5 days or in an airtight container in the freezer for 8-12 weeks.

READ NEXT: Enlarged Heart in Dogs (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) What You Must Know

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5 Best Dog Foods for Heart Murmurs (2024)

How to Choose the Best Dog Foods for Heart Murmurs

Heart murmurs are described as an unusual heart sound. They are most commonly discovered during a veterinary visit when the doctor listens to the dogs heart through a stethoscope.

Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of one through six with one being the least serious and six of the greatest concern. Heart murmurs can be genetic but often are the result of some disease. They are classified as physiologic or pathologic. Murmurs considered to be pathologic are typically brought on by a pre-existing structural heart condition.

Diagnosing a heart murmur can be very difficult as some are challenging to detect through a stethoscope. While a grade one murmur is barely audible and most often reserved to a specific area of the chest, a grade six is extremely loud and resonates throughout the chest cavity. Grade six murmurs can also be felt by the human hand.

Physiologic heart murmurs are not likely to pose any risk to a dogs ongoing health. They are often discovered in young puppies. As the puppies age, it is quite normal for the heart murmur to simply disappear altogether though this is not always the case.

Dogs affected with pathologic heart murmurs will often exhibit other symptoms which indicate an underlying issue with the heart. The most common signs dogs with pathologic heart murmurs will exhibit are:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Abbreviated growth
• Respiratory distress
• Exercise intolerance
• Fainting
• Pale gums
• Irregular heartbeat

If a veterinarian suspects a dog may have a pathologic heart murmur, other tests may be recommended to help determine the best path of treatment. These include x-rays, an electrocardiogram, and an ultrasound.

Physiologic heart murmurs typically require no treatment. However, pathologic heart murmurs may need to be managed through the use of cardiac support diets and medications.

Since diet can play a critical role in heart health, a change of nutrition is an excellent way to assist dogs suffering from heart murmurs, particularly of the pathologic variety. The best dog foods for heart murmurs often contain supplemented vitamins and minerals such as taurine to encourage healthy cardiac function.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Foods for Dogs with Heart Murmurs

Determining the correct amount of the best food for dogs with heart murmurs can be a difficult task. Thankfully, all foods come with suggested serving sizes printed on their packaging. These form an excellent guideline from which owners can work to ascertain the correct portion for their dog.

Owners should adjust the amount of food they feed their dog to reflect the dogs own unique weight, activity level, and appetite. Free feeding should be strongly discouraged as it can easily lead to weight gain, putting unnecessary strain on the heart.

Adult dogs should receive a diet that is 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. By comparison, puppies require slightly higher amounts of both of these food categories with 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat considered to be ideal.

Dietary Requirements for Foods for Dogs with Heart Murmurs

There are many things owners can do to help dogs suffering with heart murmurs. Maintaining a healthy body weight is an important part of keeping the heart functioning at peak capacity. Often dogs with heart murmurs suffer from a poor appetite which can easily lead to lost muscle mass which translates to poor immunity, reduced life expectancy, and low energy reserves. A high quality, flavorful diet will help encourage dogs with low appetite to eat more heartily.

As with all dogs, dogs with heart murmurs do best on a diet that is based on a lean meat-based protein. Ideally, a whole meat is the preferred choice; however, meat meals also contain a dense amount of protein that is an excellent foundation for any of the best foods for dogs with heart murmurs.

Contrary to popular opinion, reduced amounts of protein are not preferable for dogs with heart murmurs. Though for most dogs, avoiding diets based on by-products or plant-based proteins is preferred, prescription diets do favor some of these items in their formulations. Since these may prove beneficial to compromised heart function, these foods can be a good choice for dogs with heart murmurs.

Artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and ingredients high in sodium should be avoided as they contain no beneficial nutrients. Excess sodium can cause fluid retention, placing additional strain on the heart.

Healthy fats are an important part of every diet suited to dogs. These are best derived from animal origins such as chicken fat or oily fish. These types of fats contain high amounts of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which contribute to healthy joint function as well as good skin and coat quality.

Supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics can also be a vital help for dogs with heart murmurs. These powerhouse ingredients encourage fluid digestive processes and joint health.

Carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables should be highly digestible and rich in antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.

In addition to these items, dogs with heart murmurs can benefit from foods rich in the following vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Taurine
• L-Carnitine
• Co-Enzyme Q-10

Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Heart Murmurs

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a dog food for heart murmurs:

• Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
• Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
• Low in sodium to help prevent fluid retention and high blood pressure in dogs

Homemade Dog Food for Congestive Heart Failure: Best easy recipes

It can be a sad and scary time if your dog is diagnosed with congestive heart failure. You should know that its important to take a proactive approach to manage their condition, especially when it comes to their diet. It is crucial that you are feeding your dog a balanced, nutrient-rich diet that wont overload their already weakened heart.

Homemade dog food can be a great option, as it allows you to control the ingredients and tailor them to your dogs specific needs. In this blog post, well go over some of the best homemade dog food recipes for congestive heart failure.

What type of nutrition for a dog with congestive heart disease?

Before we dive into the recipes, its important to understand some of the key nutritional considerations for dogs with congestive heart failure. One of the main goals is to reduce the amount of sodium in their diet, as excess sodium can lead to fluid buildup in the body and exacerbate heart failure symptoms.

Additionally, its important to ensure they are getting enough protein, as it helps maintain muscle mass and supports overall health.

Best easy homemade recipes for dogs with congestive heart disease?

The best homemade dog food for congestive heart disease is chicken and brown rice, beef and sweet potato, and beef and quinoa.

Recipe 1: Chicken and Brown Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped green beans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions:

1. Cook the brown rice according to package instructions and set aside.
2. Cut the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
4. Add the chopped carrots and green beans to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cooked brown rice and dried parsley.
6. Allow the mixture to cool before serving to your dog.

This recipe is low in sodium and high in protein, making it a great option for dogs with congestive heart failure. The brown rice provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, while the chicken and vegetables provide a variety of essential vitamins and minerals.

This diet can help prevent your dog with congestive heart failure from coughing.

Recipe 2: Beef and Sweet Potato

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 cups cooked sweet potato
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the sweet potato in a pot of boiling water until soft, then mash and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the mashed sweet potato and chopped parsley.
5. Allow the mixture to cool before serving to your dog.

This recipe is also low in sodium and high in protein, but its a good option if your dog prefers beef over chicken. The sweet potato provides a natural source of fiber, while the spinach and parsley provide a variety of essential vitamins and minerals.

Recipe 3: Beef and quinoa

Beef and quinoa is a delicious and nutritious meal for dogs, especially those with congestive heart failure (CHF). This recipe is easy to make and packed with high-quality protein, fiber, and essential nutrients that can support your dogs overall health and well-being. In this article, well take a closer look at how to make beef and quinoa for your furry friend.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup carrots, chopped
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Instructions:

1. Cook the quinoa according to the instructions on the package. Set it aside to cool.
2. In a large skillet, cook the lean ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the chopped carrots and green beans to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they are tender.
4. Add the cooked quinoa to the skillet and mix everything together.
5. Add the coconut oil, dried parsley, and turmeric to the skillet and mix everything together until well combined.
6. Let the mixture cool before serving it to your dog.

Tips for feeding a dog with congestive heart failure

Now that you know some recipes, lets review some general guidelines for feeding a dog with chronic heart failure.

• Follow your veterinarians advice and guidance. They can help you create a meal plan that is tailored to your dogs individual needs and health status.
• Choose high-quality protein sources such as lean meats like chicken, turkey, or fish.
• Avoid sodium. Sodium can cause fluid buildup in the body, which can worsen CHF symptoms. Avoid feeding your dog foods that are high in sodium, such as processed foods, cheese, and cured meats.
• Include healthy fats, such as fatty fish, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil.
• Add fiber to regulate digestion and promote heart health. Good sources of fiber include leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits.
• Consider supplementing your dogs diet with vitamins and minerals to ensure theyre getting all the essential nutrients they need.

If your dogs condition continues to deteriorate, you should read my guide on when to put down a dog with congestive heart failure.

While the task might seem daunting, there are plenty of easy to make recipes for your dog with congestive heart failure. With a healthy diet, your dog can continue to live a happy and healthy life for months or even years.