5 Dog Heart Health Supplements Veterinarians Recommend
Day in and day out, a healthy dog heart works tirelessly and in perfect rhythm to pump blood throughout the body. But, just like us, dogs can experience heart health issues, especially as they age. These changes can take a huge toll on a dog’s cardiac health and overall quality of life. So, like many pet parents, you may wonder if dog heart health supplements should be part of your pup’s daily regimen.
Heart supplements can play a pivotal role in your dog’s heart health. They can help maintain cardiovascular function, improve overall wellness, and even help manage existing heart conditions, like congestive heart failure (CHF), mitral valve disease, and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). But it’s important to know how and when to use them and what to consider when looking for quality dog heart health supplements.
In this article, we’ll explore what heart supplements for dogs are and how they can help your dog’s heart function. Then we’ll cover when your vet might recommend them, and some vet-recommended options to consider for your dog’s heart.
What are Dog Heart Health Supplements?
Dog heart health supplements come in various forms, including pills, tablets, capsules, and liquids. As the name suggests, supplements are designed to be added to (or supplement) your dog’s regular diet. They are not a replacement for food or any heart medication your veterinarian prescribes.
Dog heart supplements contain naturally occurring ingredients that help promote good heart health. These may include:
- Taurine – As an amino acid (a basic building block of protein), taurine helps build protein to boost heart muscle strength. In dogs, taurine deficiency can cause DCM, a serious heart condition very common in medium and large-breed dogs.
- L-carnitine – Like taurine, L-carnitine is an amino acid. But it’s an essential amino acid because the only way your dog can get it is through diet and nutrition. L-carnitine plays a crucial role in producing energy to power heart cells. It can also be used to help treat DCM.
- Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) – This is an antioxidant that your dog’s body produces naturally, but in smaller quantities as they age. It helps support organs that use a lot of energy, like the heart and brain. Research shows it may help prevent heart disease and improve heart function in dogs. (1)
- Omega-3 fatty acids – These help reduce inflammation and the risk of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
- Hawthorn – This berry is a powerful antioxidant that may also benefit dog heart function. It can help regulate blood pressure, stabilize weak or irregular heartbeats, and improve how well heart cells use oxygen. It is often used to help manage mild cases of CHF.
- Dandelion– This powerful plant is packed with potassium, which helps promote healthy heart function. Dandelion also helps drain fluids from around a dog’s heart, helping it pump more efficiently.
Though heart health supplements for dogs may provide valuable health benefits, they may not be suitable for every dog.
For example, dogs who eat a complete and balanced diet may get all the nutrients and vitamins they need from their food. And dogs with normal, healthy heart function may not derive any benefit from heart health supplements.
Most importantly, these supplements could interact with other medications in ways that may harm your pet. That’s why it’s vital to get your veterinarian’s okay before giving your dog any heart health supplements.
Why Your Vet Might Recommend a Dog Heart Supplement
There are several reasons why your vet might recommend a heart supplement for your dog. Here are four common scenarios:
Breed predisposition to heart disease: Some dog breeds, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dobermans, and Boxers, are genetically predisposed to heart conditions like DCM or mitral valve disease. If your dog belongs to a breed with a higher risk of heart issues, your vet may recommend heart supplements as a preventive measure.
Managing heart disease: If your dog is already diagnosed with heart disease, your veterinarian has probably prescribed medication to help manage it. Some vets may also recommend supplements that can offer extra support. These could include supplements that address nutritional deficiencies or improve heart muscle function to improve your dog’s outcome.
Aging dogs: Even if your dog doesn’t have heart disease, as they age, their cardiovascular system can get weaker. Vets often recommend heart health supplements for senior dogs to help maintain good heart function and slow down any age-related wear and tear on the heart.
Lifestyle factors: Dogs who are overweight, less active, or exposed to environmental stress may be more prone to heart problems. So vets may recommend supplements to address these underlying health issues (e.g., by reducing inflammation or improving circulation) to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
5 Dog Heart Health Supplements Vets Recommend
Depending on your dog’s needs, here are some heart health supplements that could be good options to discuss with your vet.
Nutramax Welactin Omega-3 Supplement Liquid for Dogs
This easy-to-dose liquid supplement contains highly purified fish oil derived from cold-water species. It’s rich in two key Omega-3 fatty acids that help promote heart health in dogs — EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Omega-3s help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve overall heart health and function. As an added bonus, this supplement also promotes skin, coat, and joint health. Vets prefer this supplement for its efficacy, versatility, and substantial levels of high-quality DHA and EPA.
The bottle comes with a measuring spoon, so you can easily dispense the exact dose your dog needs, according to their weight. Just pour the liquid over your dog’s food once a day for dogs over 9 pounds, and every other day for dogs between 5-9 pounds.
Formula CV Capsules for Dogs & Cats
Packed with heart-healthy ingredients, this multi-benefit supplement works for both cats and dogs, so it’s great for multi-pet households. Formula CV contains a blend of CoQ-10, L-carnitine, taurine, and hawthorn, so it’s a good option for dogs with DCM.
In addition, it’s rich with potassium and magnesium — electrolytes that help dog muscles (like the heart) contract and relax. Plus, it provides Vitamin E, which helps keep canine blood vessels healthy.
Veterinarians often recommend Formula CV for dogs diagnosed with DCM or congestive heart failure (CHF) due to its targeted blend of ingredients.
Pet parents can administer the capsules directly or open them to sprinkle onto their dog’s food. Dosage and frequency vary depending on your pet’s weight. Your vet may also adjust the dosage according to your dog’s heart health needs.
This supplement has not been proven safe in pregnant dogs or dogs intended for breeding.
VetriScience Cardio Chews
If your dog prefers supplements that look and taste more like treats, these highly palatable chews could do the trick.
VetriScience Cardio Chews are formulated to help boost heart health and cardiac function in dogs of all ages…particularly those with existing heart concerns. Each chew contains an array of beneficial ingredients, including taurine, L-carnitine, CoQ-10, hawthorn, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin E.
Together, these ingredients help maintain normal blood pressure, support heart muscle strength, ensure proper circulation, and reduce oxidative stress, which can damage heart cells.
Vets recommend this product because it offers a wide range of benefits in one convenient chew. Plus, the tasty chew appeals to even the pickiest dogs.
The recommended dose is one chew per 30 pounds of body weight. Like Formula CV, these chews have not been proven safe in pregnant dogs or dogs intended for breeding.
VetriScience Coenzyme Q10 Capsules
While multi-benefit supplements may be appropriate for some dogs, other dogs may require a more targeted approach.
These Coenzyme Q10 Capsules contain only one active ingredient — Coenzyme Q10. Yet this standalone supplement is a common choice for dogs with CHF or generally sub-optimal heart function.
CoQ10 delivers simple yet effective benefits for pets with low energy due to cardiac issues. It helps strengthen heart muscle function and support energy production in heart cells.
Some vets may recommend combining CoQ10 with other heart supplements for enhanced effects, depending on your dog’s specific needs.
The recommended dose is one capsule daily per 10 pounds of body weight. The supplement’s safety has not been proven safe in pregnant dogs or dogs intended for breeding.
VetriScience Cardio Strength Capsule
These capsules contain beneficial ingredients including taurine, L-carnitine, CoQ10, and other essential nutrients that support canine cardiac health. Together, these ingredients help maintain normal blood pressure, support heart muscle function, and ensure that cells have enough energy to function efficiently.
Veterinarians often recommend this supplement for dogs at risk of developing heart disease or those with early-stage heart disease. The capsules also benefit dogs with low cardiac output, which is when the heart pumps less blood than it should.
Cardio Strength capsules are safe for both dogs and cats, and they come in a convenient capsule form for easy dosing. The recommended dose is one capsule daily per 30 pounds of body weight.
Dog Heart Health Supplements: Tips and Safety
When considering heart supplements for your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure their safety and effectiveness:
Talk with your veterinarian
Always consult your vet before adding supplements to your dog’s health regimen. Your veterinarian is the best judge of whether your dog is a good candidate for a heart health supplement. They can also recommend which supplement would be best, given your dog’s heart health and overall health needs.
Your vet can also review your dog’s current medications to determine if there’s any chance of harmful interactions with potential supplements.
Do your homework
Like human health supplements, animal health supplements are not reviewed or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Unfortunately, that could mean that what you see on the supplement label isn’t always what you get. So it’s important to do your research to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable supplement company. Look for products that have undergone third-party testing for purity and potency, as well as those developed by or recommended by veterinarians.
If this sounds daunting to you, ask your veterinarian for guidance. Based on patient outcomes, they can recommend companies with a good reputation and proven track record.
Follow the recommended dose
Be sure to follow the dose your veterinarian recommends, even if it’s lower than what’s on the supplement label. Your vet has the full picture of what’s going on with your dog’s health, including what other medications they may be taking.
And never exceed the dosage recommended for your dog on the supplement label. Though supplements can help your dog, they can also hurt. Giving your dog too much of certain nutrients, such as Omega-3s or CoQ10, can lead to adverse effects.
Monitor for side effects
Heart health supplements have few, if any, side effects. However, some dogs may experience side effects such as digestive upset, lethargy, or changes in appetite. And some supplements can cause adverse side effects if they interact with heart medications.
Ask your veterinarian about possible side effects you should watch out for when starting your dog on a heart health supplement. If you notice any unusual behavior or symptoms after starting a new supplement, contact your vet right away.
Do not give human supplements to your dog
Human supplements are not safe for dogs. This is because dogs and humans metabolize drugs and supplements differently; what may be safe for you could be toxic to your dog.
Maintaining your dog’s heart health is crucial to their overall health and well-being, especially as they age. And dog heart health supplements can play an important role in how pet parents accomplish this. Always work with your veterinarian to determine the best options for your dog’s specific heart health needs. With the right combination of care and supplements (as well as plenty of cuddles), you can help your dog’s heart stay strong for years to come.
Reference
- Kittipong Tachampa, et al. “Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Cardiac Troponin I Level, Heart Rate Variability, and Echocardiographic Profiles in Canine with Myxomatous Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease: A Pilot Study.” The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, vol. 48, no. 3, 1 Sept. 2018, pp. 443–452, https://doi.org/10.56808/2985-1130.2932.
