Heart disease in pets is more common than many people realize, and early signs can be subtle or even invisible. The goal of Heart Health Month is to highlight practical, everyday ways you can support your pet’s heart through nutrition, prevention, routine screening, and evidence-based supplements. When we understand how heart disease shows up in dogs and cats, we can catch it earlier and give our pets the best possible quality of life.
Why Heart Health Matters
The heart delivers oxygen to every organ. When its function declines, pets may show:
- coughing or breathing changes
- reduced energy
- fainting or collapse
- decreased appetite or weight loss
- fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen
Cats often show very quiet signs such as subtle lethargy or faster resting breathing rate. Given early heart disease can go unnoticed, regular veterinary exams and home monitoring of resting respiratory rate are extremely important.
Common Heart Conditions in Dogs
- Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease
The most common acquired heart disease in dogs and especially common in small breeds such as Cavaliers, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Poodles. The mitral valve becomes thickened and leaky over time which leads to heart enlargement and eventually congestive heart failure. - Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Seen more frequently in large breeds including Dobermans, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, and Boxers. The heart muscle weakens and cannot pump effectively. Some forms are genetic and others have been linked to certain grain free diets [1] [2] [3] [4]. - Congenital Heart Disease
Some dogs are born with structural abnormalities such as pulmonic stenosis, subaortic stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, or septal defects. These may not produce symptoms until adolescence or adulthood depending on severity, but it is important to have animals screened while they are young. - Heartworm Disease
Adult heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries where they cause inflammation, heart failure, and sometimes life threatening caval syndrome. Monthly prevention is one of the simplest and most effective heart health strategies.
Common Heart Conditions in Cats
Cats experience their own unique forms of heart disease and they hide symptoms exceptionally well.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
The most common feline heart disease. The heart muscle becomes abnormally thick which makes it harder for the heart to relax and fill. Many cats with HCM show no outward signs until the disease progresses.
Breeds with increased genetic risk include Maine Coons, Ragdolls, British Shorthairs, Sphynx, and Persians. Genetic testing exists for some breeds including the MYBPC3 mutation in Maine Coons and Ragdolls. Even mixed breed cats can develop HCM so any cat with a murmur or family history may benefit from screening.
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
A condition where the heart muscle becomes stiff and cannot relax well. Symptoms usually appear later in the disease. - Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Now rare in cats due to taurine fortified diets but still possible in cats on homemade diets or diets without adequate taurine [7]. - Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease
Even a single heartworm can cause severe respiratory signs in cats. There is no approved treatment for adult heartworms in cats which makes prevention essential.
Nutrition and the Grain Free Diet Issue
Research and the FDA investigation identified an association between certain grain free diets usually those high in peas, lentils, chickpeas, or potatoes and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs [1] [2] [3] [4].
Choosing a grain inclusive diet that has undergone AAFCO feeding trials and is formulated by veterinary nutritionists is one of the strongest heart supportive choices you can make for your dog.
Heartworm Prevention and Heart Health
Heartworm disease remains a major cause of preventable heart and lung damage.
Dogs can develop inflammation of the pulmonary arteries, right sided heart failure, and exercise intolerance or collapse.
Cats are not natural hosts and often show coughing, rapid breathing, vomiting, and sudden respiratory distress or sudden death.
Given treatment options are limited or nonexistent for cats, year-round prevention is essential for both species.
Evidence Based Supplements for Heart Support
Supplements cannot treat heart disease but they can support heart muscle function, oxidative balance, cellular energy production, and overall cardiovascular wellness. Only ingredients with peer reviewed research are included.
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA
Support normal heart rhythm and reduce inflammation and have been shown to improve body condition and inflammatory markers in dogs with heart failure [5] [6]. - Taurine
Essential for normal myocardial contraction. Taurine deficiency causes DCM in cats and is reversible with supplementation [7]. Taurine combined with diet correction has also shown benefits in some dogs with diet associated DCM [4]. - L-Carnitine
Transports fatty acids into cardiac mitochondria for energy. Deficiency has been documented in some dogs with DCM especially Boxers [8]. Supplementation may improve myocardial function in carnitine deficient cases [8] [9]. - Coenzyme Q10
Supports mitochondrial ATP production and acts as an antioxidant. Studies in animals and humans demonstrate improved oxidative balance and overall cardiac support [10] [11]. - Vitamin E and Antioxidant Support
Oxidative stress contributes significantly to cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Antioxidants help protect cardiac cells and support normal oxidative balance [12].
When to Ask Your Veterinarian About Heart Screening
Screening recommendations depend on breed, age, and medical history. You can ask your veterinarian about baseline or periodic screening if your pet fits any of these categories.
Dogs at higher risk include:
- Dobermans
- Boxers
- Great Danes
- Irish Wolfhounds
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Dogs previously on grain free diets
- Any dog with a new murmur or breathing changes
Cats at higher risk include
- Maine Coons
- Ragdolls
- British Shorthairs
- Sphynx
- Persians
- Cats with known genetic mutations or a family history of HCM
- Any cat with a newly detected heart murmur
Monitoring resting respiratory rate at home is helpful for all dogs and cats with known or suspected heart disease [13]. This should be done when they are asleep or very relaxed. To check the rate, simply count the number of chest rises and falls for 15 seconds and multiply that number by four to get breaths per minute. What matters most is the trend rather than a single reading, so look for consistent increases over several days or values that remain above 30 breaths per minute. If your pet’s resting rate ever rises above 40, or steadily climbs over time, schedule a veterinary evaluation. You can also use simple apps or digital counters to log the readings and help track patterns more accurately.
Daily Habits for a Heart Healthy Pet
- Maintain a healthy weight and body condition
- Feed an evidence-based grain inclusive diet
- Use heartworm prevention year round
- Encourage daily activity based on your pet’s age and mobility
- Keep up with regular veterinary exams
- Ask about screening for high-risk breeds
- Consider evidence-based supplements that support cardiovascular health
References
- Kaplan JL, Stern JA, Fascetti AJ, et al. Taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers fed commercial diets. PLoS One. 2018.
- Ontiveros ES, Witzel AL, Backus RC, et al. Development of diet associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. J Vet Cardiol. 2020.
- US FDA. FDA investigation into potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy. 2018 to 2020 updates.
- Walker AL, Stern JA. Improvement of diet associated dilated cardiomyopathy after diet change and taurine supplementation. J Vet Intern Med. 2019.
- Freeman LM, Rush JE, Kehayias JJ, et al. Nutritional alterations and the effect of fish oil supplementation in dogs with heart failure. J Vet Intern Med. 1998.
- Billman GE. The role of omega 3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2013.
- Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Rogers QR, et al. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine. Science. 1987.
- Keene BW, Panciera DL, Atkins CE, et al. Myocardial L carnitine deficiency in Boxer dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 1991.
- Bengal H, Tokuyama S. Carnitine in cardiac metabolism. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004.
- Qu J, Chen W. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation and myocardial oxidative stress. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2012.
- Mortensen SA. Coenzyme Q10 and cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2016.
- Dhalla NS, Temsah RM, Netticadan T. Role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease. J Hypertens. 2000.
- Rishniw M, Ljungvall I, Porciello F, et al. Sleeping and resting respiratory rates in dogs and cats with advanced heart failure. J Vet Intern Med. 2012.