If your dog has been diagnosed with a heart murmur or you are afraid your dog might have a heart murmur, don’t fret yet. There are varying stages of heart murmurs and many dogs go on to live a long and happy life after being diagnosed with a heart murmur and using effective supplements and medication.
So, what are some of the best supplements for dogs with heart murmurs? There are quite a bit of supplements and medications that will help keep your dog’s heart healthy and strong. One of these medications paired with a healthy lifestyle will help your dog live a long and happy life.
Treatment for a dog with heart murmur will mostly depend on what is causing your dog’s heart condition. In some cases, your veterinarian will treat the cause of the murmur (heartworm disease, congenital condition, etc.) and that may take care of the murmur. In order cases, supplements and medications can help your dog live a long and happy life.
Best Supplements for Dogs with Heart Murmurs
There are some great supplements, medications, and treatments available for dogs diagnosed with a heart murmur. The right supplements and treatments can help strengthen your dog’s cardiovascular system and improve your dog’s overall health, including their heart murmur.
With all supplements and medications for your dog, be sure to contact your veterinarian to make sure they won’t interfere with additional supplements your dog may be taking.
1. Pet Wellbeing Young at Heart
Pet Wellbeing Young at Heart is a liquid supplement that is gentle and natural. The product helps promote healthy and normal heart function, heart muscle and heart rhythm, healthy blood pressure, and good circulation.
Young at Heart combines 8 herbs that help with the cardiovascular health of your dog, which is gentle enough to take every day and is suitable for all dog sizes. On top of that, Pet Wellbeing is one of the most trusted dog supplement brands out there and makes an amazing set of products for all sorts of dog health problems.
2. NHV Hearty Heart
NHV Hearty Heart is a product that helps boost blood flow to your dog’s heart while maintaining the required flow. It also contains zero preservatives or additives, making it a great solution for those looking for an all-natural supplement for dogs with heart murmurs.
This product is all-natural and created by a veterinarian. Hearty Heart is a gentle and powerful supplement and is formulated with herbs to help support and maintain a healthy heart. It also claims to help with your dog’s appetite.
3. Herbs for Paws Heart Murmur Hawthorn Supplement
Herbs for Paws Heart Murmur Hawthorn Supplement is another great option. This product helps improve your pet’s cardio-strength using Hawthorn, an all-natural supplement that helps increase circulation and the transport of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
Hawthorn is also known to be great for older dogs. This product can also help rebuild strength in the heart if your dog has had heartworm disease in the past. On top of that, they’re 100% free of preservatives and chemicals while also being 100% made in the USA.
4. VetriScience Cardio Strength Heart Support Formula
VetriScience Cardio Strength Heart Support Formula is designed to support heart muscles, reduce oxidative stress, and support cardiovascular functions. Cardio Strength uses 11 ingredients and is made specifically for elderly dogs and cats. It is available in powder form or bite-size chew form, which makes it very easy to give your dog.
5. Nutrition Strength Cardio Support Plus Antioxidants for Dogs
The next item on the list is Nutrition Strength Cardio Support Plus Antioxidants for Dogs. Cardio Support is a chewable tablet that helps boost your dog’s cardiovascular system. This product is designed for geriatric dogs and animals prone to heart issues. It is ideal for pets of all ages and sizes.
When you buy this product, you can keep in mind that it also has a 365-day guarantee. If you are not happy with the results, contact them for a full refund. But from my experience, these chews are super popular with my Pomeranians who absolutely love the taste.
6. Zesty Paws CoQ10 Chewable Treats for Dogs
Zesty Paws CoQ10 Chewable Treats for Dogs, on the other hand, can be given to your dog daily. It uses Coenzyme Q10, a naturally occurring compound utilized by every cell of the canine body to promote your dog’s health.
These chews help boost your dog’s immune system, energy levels, and cognition. This is great for all ages and all sizes of dogs. Plus Zesty Paws is one of the most trusted pet supplement brands out there, so you know you’re getting a fantastic product.
7. PawHealer Heart Support
PawHealer Heart Support uses authentic all-natural Chinese herbs in its formula. The herbal powder can be easily added to wet or dry food. Heart Support helps pets with coughing, gagging, and breathing difficulties due to heart conditions.
The products by PawHealer are some of the best out there and make amazing products for pets of all kinds. I’m a huge fan since they always use all-natural, organic ingredients that are difficult to find anywhere else.
8. VetriScience Cardio Canine Heart Support Bite-Sized Chews
VetriScience Cardio Canine Heart Support Bite-Sized Chews use 10 ingredients to support the canine cardiovascular system. It is recommended for geriatric dogs and breeds prone to cardiovascular stress. This product helps with blood flow, blood vessel integrity, and circulation.
I mentioned another VetriScience product before and that’s because they’re a company that seriously focuses on improving the heart health of dogs. These bite-sized chews are packed with arginine, dimethylglycine, CoQ10, and magnesium, which are all vital for a healthy heart in your dog.
9. K9-Power Young at Heart
K9-Power Young at Heart is especially geared toward geriatric dogs, helping to support the heart’s longevity and anti-aging. It also helps support mental function, eye health, digestion, joints, heart health, and more. This is an all-around great product for an elderly dog.
If it’s easier for your dog to take supplements in liquid form, getting this powder-form supplement is a fantastic option. Just read some of the reviews and you’ll be easily convinced how effective this supplement is for dogs with heart-related diseases, including heart murmur.
10. Amber Technology Hawthorn & Dandelion
Amber Technology Hawthorn & Dandelion is a liquid product, as well as an all-natural dietary supplement, that may be used as a diuretic. It helps improve circulation and strengthens the heart.
Giving our dogs supplements in liquid form is probably to the simplest way to go. Not only is this Amber Technology liquid supplement 100% organic, but it’s known to be extremely effective at increasing circulation due to it containing raw, natural ingredients such as Hawthorn and Dandelion.
11. Lexelium Heart Support System
Lexelium Heart Support System is formulated by a veterinarian and uses ingredients such as potassium gluconate and taurine. It helps support your dog’s cardiovascular and circulatory health. This product uses all-natural ingredients and is made for both dogs and cats.
I’m always a huge fan of products that have a 100% money-back guarantee and are 100% made in the USA. Not only that, but this cardiovascular powder supplement by Lexelium is a 100% natural, human-grade product.
12. Animal Essentials Heart Health
Last but not least is Animal Essentials Heart Health. This liquid product uses certified organic hawthorn, ginkgo biloba, and garlic to help support your dog’s circulatory system. The herbs are known for their ample source of antioxidants.
Many people use supplements or medications to help boost their dog’s health and happiness. As with any type of medication or supplement, be sure to look at the side effects and read reviews. And talk to your veterinarian about what they recommend for your dog’s breed, age, and size.
How to Care for a Dog with Heart Murmur
For many dogs, it will not be apparent to an outsider that your dog has a heart murmur. Many dogs that have a heart murmur can go on to live long and happy lives. You’ll still be able to take your dog for walks, bring them to the park, and go about your everyday life.
Some heart murmurs will disappear on their own, while others will constantly be around, but not affect the quality of life you and your dog can have. There will just be additional things to monitor if your dog is diagnosed with a heart murmur.
What to do if your dog has a heart murmur:
- Monitor your dog’s fatigue levels
- Pay attention to coughing
- Listen for shortness of breath
- Schedule routine veterinary visits
As with many health conditions, it is important to monitor your dog’s fatigue levels. You want to ensure your dog is getting proper exercise but you also need to be cognizant of how your dog is responding to the exercise.
If your dog appears to be getting fatigued during a longer-than-normal walk, that’s pretty normal. Just keep a close eye to make sure nothing else changes. And then plan on taking a shorter walk next time.
Additionally, if your pup is fatigued shortly into your normal exercise routine or earlier than normal, you should reach out to your veterinarian to make sure your dog’s condition has not gotten worse or to make sure this is not a symptom of an additional health condition.
If you are aware of a heart murmur diagnosis in your furry friend and you hear them start coughing, this could be a sign that the condition is getting worse.
The cough could just be something as simple as a cold but it could be an early sign of congestive heart failure. If your dog starts coughing, be sure to call your veterinarian and schedule an appointment.
Just like the coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing is a sign that your dog may have congestive heart failure. If your dog is experiencing this, you should bring your dog in immediately.
Routine veterinary visits will help keep tabs on your dog’s health. It allows your veterinarian to see how they are progressing and make that the murmur is not getting worse. This is also just a good routine to get into since dogs age much faster than people. It is recommended that dogs see their veterinarian bi-annually.
How to Monitor and Detect Heart Murmur in Dogs
It’s always important to pay close attention to your dog’s behavior. Any changes in your dog’s behavior can be a sign that your dog is experiencing a health condition.
Although not all dogs with a heart murmur will show symptoms. Sometimes the only way to detect a heart murmur is through routine veterinary visits. Even so, it’s important to keep an eye on any potential symptoms so you can call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment if you see something alarming.
Signs your dog has a heart murmur:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Swollen abdomen
- Fainting
- Exercise intolerance
Keep an eye on your dog’s breathing. If your dog starts to have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, you will want to talk to your veterinarian to determine if your dog has a health condition.
Breathing issues could mean a disease of the lungs, airways, space around the lungs, throat, windpipe, nose, chest wall, or diaphragm. This could be a sign of heartworm disease or heart failure.
A cough can be a sign of many different problems. Some dogs will develop canine cough or kennel cough, a contagious viral or bacterial infection. This cough tends to be deep and dry. It is typically found in dogs who have been boarded recently or who have been in contact with a large number of dogs.
Dogs can have a gagging cough which can mean your dog has a sore throat or tonsillitis. A gagging cough can also mean something is stuck in your dog’s throat. Your dog’s cough could be more of a wet cough which means there may be a build-up of fluid or phlegm in the lungs.
This is typically pneumonia. And a cough could be a sign of congestive heart failure. To be safe, it’s best to contact your veterinarian if your dog starts coughing.
There are many reasons why your dog may have a swollen abdomen and many of the reasons can be life-threatening. If you notice a swollen abdomen, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
This may happen if your dog has gastric dilation volvulus, meaning your dog’s distended stomach has rotated, trapping gasses inside and blocking the stomach’s blood supply.
Another cause for stomach swelling is peritonitis, or a puncture in your dog’s stomach or small intestine. Another cause could be ascites or accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. This could be due to heart failure.
If your dog faints, this could be a sign of many different health conditions. It is important to see if you can feel a heartbeat after the dog faints so you can help your veterinarian determine what the cause of fainting is.
Pay attention to if the heart rate is slow or rapid. Take your dog in right away to determine what the cause is. Many times, the veterinarian will have to perform an electrocardiogram and perform blood work. Additional testing will be done depending on what the initial tests show. Cushing’s Syndrome is another cause of a swollen belly.
If your dog has an intolerance for exercise, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. It could be due to heart disease, arthritis, or other diseases. It’s important not to force your dog to exercise and instead listen to what your dog is trying to tell you.
Call up your vet and talk to them about what you are experiencing. They can help you determine if your dog is just being lazy or if there is something wrong with your dog.
How Can I Make Sure My Dog’s Heart Stays Healthy?
There are a lot of proactive things you can be doing to help keep your dog’s heart healthy. A healthy heart can help prevent heart conditions and can help your dog live a long and happy life. Follow the steps below to see what you can do to help keep your dog’s heart healthy.
What to do to keep your dog’s heart healthy:
- Balanced diet
- Exercise
- Regular veterinary exams
- Dental care
- Prevent heartworm disease
- Be cognizant of your dog’s breed
- Watch for signs of heart irregularities
Feed your dog a healthy, balanced diet. Just like it’s important for humans to eat a healthy, balanced diet, dogs also need a good diet. This is the foundation of having a healthy dog.
A dog’s diet affects its skin, coat, organ function, joints, and everything in between. A balanced diet also helps your dog maintain healthy body weight. If your dog is overweight or obese, this puts extra stress on your dog’s heart.
Make sure to look at the ingredients in your dog food and pick one that is balanced and has high-quality products. Keep treats to a minimum.
Exercise can also help keep your dog’s weight in the healthy range. But just because a dog’s weight looks healthy, it doesn’t mean that your dog is healthy. Cardio exercise helps keep the dog’s heart healthy. This exercise can include walking, running, hiking, and swimming.
Since dogs age faster than humans – roughly 4 to 8 years for every 1 human year – it is important to have regular veterinary exams. This will help ensure your dog is healthy and help find any health issues early on.
Many pet owners schedule annual exams but since dogs age so quickly, bi-annual exams are recommended. A lot can happen in one year of a dog’s life.
You may not think dental care has a lot to do with your dog’s heart health, but it does. Plaque and tartar buildup in your dog can lead to an infection in the mouth. This enters the bloodstream and can attribute to heart issues.
Be sure to brush your dog’s teeth regularly and give them bones that help ward off plaque and tartar. And keep an eye out for bad breath, sore gums, excessive drooling, and bleeding. If you see any of those symptoms, contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment.
Make sure you are giving your dog preventative heartworm medication. If your dog contracts heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitos, it puts a huge strain on your dog’s heart, making it more prone to heart murmurs.
Even after treatment, your dog’s heart may never be the same. It’s easiest to prevent this disease through medications and supplements.
Some breeds are more prone to heart issues. Be sure to know what health conditions your dog’s breed is prone to having so you can keep a close eye on any symptoms that happen early on.
Understanding your breed also helps you take proactive measures to prevent health conditions. Research your dog’s breed and take proactive preventative measures to keep your dog healthy and help them live a long and happy life.
Keep a close eye on signs of a heart condition. Everyday activities can take a toll on your dog’s body and heart. Heart issues can develop slowly from old age, an injury, or illness.
Be aware of the symptoms associated with heart conditions and contact your veterinarian immediately if you see any of the symptoms. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, fainting, fatigue, and swollen abdomen.
While not all cases of a heart murmur are preventable, if you keep an eye on your dog and follow the above steps, you can help your dog live a long and healthy life. And even if your dog has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, following the above steps can help prolong your dog’s life.
