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At Bridge Cardiology, we want to fix broken hearts. But on this day of love, when people often go out for a special meal, I thought I’d discuss some things in a pet’s diet that may help their heart!
There are a number of supplements that are useful to help if your pet has heart disease. I will go through them all and talk about what they are and when they are used. There is also some ongoing discussion about Grain Free foods and whether they can cause heart disease, so I thought it would be useful to cover some of the concerns around that.
Grain Free Diets
Between 2018 and 2020, the American Food and Drug Agency saw a massive spike in the reporting of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common heart disease in dogs. It went from an average of 66 cases a year to a maximum of 608 in 2019-2020. This triggered an investigation by the FDA, which found that a significant number of cases occurred in dogs not typically predisposed to this disease, and many of them had been fed a grain-free diet. Upon further examination, it appeared that diets high in legume seeds (e.g., peas, lentils, etc.) were a common factor.
Several cardiology studies followed, focusing on non-hereditary DCM (as DCM has typically been attributed to genetic causes). They showed that dogs diagnosed with DCM while on a grain-free diet and then switched to a grain-inclusive diet tended to live much longer than those that remained on grain-free diets. Here at Bridge Cardiology, we have had a few cases of dogs presenting with DCM while on a grain-free diet. After a diet change, these dogs responded remarkably well, showing improved heart function on scans within 4-6 months.
There is still no definitive proof of what is causing this problem, and research is ongoing. Current investigations are looking into nutritional deficiencies, toxins, and multifactorial causes. However, based on the studies I have reviewed, I would strongly recommend avoiding grain-free diets that have legumes high on their ingredient list.
Supplements
- Taurine: Taurine, an amino acid, was one of the first supplements associated with heart disease. In the 1980s, it was discovered that cats with DCM had low taurine levels. Taurine plays a role in osmoregulation, calcium regulation, and inactivating free radicals. Since cat food was adjusted to include higher taurine levels, DCM has become rare in cats.Some dog breeds, such as American Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers, can develop taurine-dependent DCM and respond well to taurine supplementation. Improvements can often be seen on scans within 3-4 months.
- Carnitine: This amino acid derivative helps shuttle long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) across mitochondrial membranes. The heart primarily uses LCFAs for energy. Carnitine levels can be measured in plasma, but a normal result does not rule out a deficiency, as myocardial tissue levels can be low without affecting plasma levels. Deficiencies have been observed in Boxers and American Cocker Spaniels, so supplementation is particularly beneficial for these breeds. Recent research suggests carnitine may help with heart disease in general by supporting the myocardium, and I now recommend it for most cardiac cases.
- Coenzyme Q10: This compound is essential for ATP production and also acts as an antioxidant. While there are no controlled veterinary studies, some human cardiology research suggests it may be beneficial.
- Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (EFAs): These can help reduce the production of cytokines, TNF, and IL-1, which are linked to cardiac cachexia in congestive heart failure. EFAs may also have anti-arrhythmic properties. Dogs with congestive heart failure have been shown to have lower concentrations of EPA and DHA, making it worthwhile to supplement all heart disease cases with these essential fatty acids.
At Bridge Cardiology, we want the best for pets’ hearts, and not just on Valentine’s Day. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please let us know.
Our Cardiologist, Karl Bovenizer
Happy Valentine’s Day, enjoy the Love! ❤️
