5 Ways to Keep Your Pet’s Heart Healthy

Feb 13, 2024

Being a pet parent is an important job. After all, it’s your responsibility to make sure your pet is loved, healthy, and taken care of. And while pets can be less demanding than humans (sometimes), they can experience similar issues, like heart disease.

While heart disease impacts humans and pets differently, it can be equally as dangerous. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep your pet from getting sick. From prioritizing their dental hygiene to scheduling yearly check-ups, this article highlights what you need to know to keep your pet healthy:

As you know, obesity is one of the leading causes of heart disease in humans. Well, obesity can also significantly impact your pet’s heart health. Thankfully, there are ways to combat this for humans and pets — diet and exercise.

Making sure your pets regularly move and eat a high-quality diet is crucial. And while it’s easy to play fetch with your fur baby after work, it can be hard to make sure they’re consuming a healthy diet. After all, many store-bought pet foods can be filled with harmful ingredients.

To keep your pets healthy, pay attention to what they’re eating. Read the labels on the back, and focus on what’s being advertised. Look for options like fresh dog food and packaging that mentions high-quality ingredients. Also, consider researching the pet food brand beforehand to determine their reputation. Having a healthy pet starts with giving them a healthy diet. For the health of their coat, joints, and heart, it’s essential to guarantee they’re getting all the necessary nutrients.

You’re probably asking yourself, “What does dental care have to do with my pet’s heart?” As with humans, poor dental health can lead to many issues, including heart disease. That’s because the bacteria that form with gum disease can enter your pet’s bloodstream and directly infect their heart valves, contributing to heart failure.

To keep your pet’s heart healthy, prioritize proper dental care. A good way to do that is to brush their teeth regularly. In case you didn’t know, there are toothbrushes specifically designed for pets and even meat-flavored toothpaste to make the process more enjoyable for them.

You could also purchase dental toys and treats made to prioritize oral health. These often have small nubs designed to scrape away plaque and tartar buildup. There are several tools available that can help you stay on top of your pet’s dental hygiene. There’s even pet-friendly mouthwash available!

It’s no secret that diet and exercise are essential for keeping a pet’s heart healthy. Since we already discussed diet, it’s time to focus on exercise. It’s crucial that you make time to work out with your pets. Whether that’s taking them for a daily walk or playing fetch in the house, there are small things you can do during the day to keep your pet active.

If your schedule isn’t flexible enough to exercise with your pet, consider hiring a pet walker. You can use apps like Rover to find someone to walk your pet several times a day. There are also toys that can help your pet exercise. For example, you can buy your dog an automatic dog ball launcher that tosses their favorite toy. You could even buy your cat a hanging toy for them to play with. Toys are a great way to keep your pets moving, even while you’re busy working or running errands.

Pets don’t usually like going to the doctor, but regular check-ups are important. Unfortunately, many pet parents don’t take their pets to the doctor nearly enough. Think about it. When was the last time you took your furry friend to the veterinarian?

The average healthy adult dog should visit the veterinarian at least once a year for preventative care. It’s important to remember that pets are like humans; they get sick and can suffer from deadly conditions like cancer or heart disease. Whether your pet is young or old, frequent exams are essential to keep them healthy.

Just like finding the right physician, it can be challenging to find the right veterinarian. Thankfully, the internet exists, and a simple Google search can show vets in your area. You can read their reviews, check their backgrounds, and often look at estimated prices before scheduling an appointment.

As mentioned above, taking your pet to the vet is a great way to keep them healthy. That said, you know your pet better than anyone and should be able to notice some signs of illness. For that reason, it’s important that you’re educated on the early symptoms of heart disease. If you’re aware, you can be their advocate.

Whether you have a dog or cat, it’s important to look out for signs. A few common ones are: a persistent cough that lasts for weeks, abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, change in demeanor, and difficulty breathing. Pets can experience several different types of heart disease, and many aren’t preventable. Thankfully, early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the condition.

It’s important to note that many of these symptoms could be a sign of something less serious. However, if you notice these symptoms, schedule an appointment with the veterinarian sooner rather than later.

Heart disease is a scary condition. But the good news is most types of heart disease are preventable, even for your pets. Rather than stressing, use the tips above to keep your pet’s heart healthy. Hopefully, they can live a long and happy life.

Published in Health and Lifestyle

I am a journalist with significant experience covering entrepreneurial, finance, economics, and business around the world. As the senior editor I report on how technology is changing business, political trends, and the latest culture and lifestyle. I have worked and written for CityAM, the Financial Times, and the New Statesman, amongst others.