Dog Congestive Heart Failure: Dietary Plan Approved by Vets

by Jaron Lukas March 10, 2022

Congestive heart failure is one of the most commonly diagnosed issues in dogs. It means the heart can no longer pump blood adequately through their body—which means their heart has “failed.”

That said, congestive heart failure does not solely affect the heart. If left untreated, the resultant backup of blood can trigger other problems. Right-sided heart failures, for instance, can lead to abdominal fluid and an enlarged liver.

Treatment for dog congestive heart failure will often involve medications and can also require operations. But there’s one simple change every dog owner can make if their dog is diagnosed with congestive heart failure or is at risk: to alter their diet.

Diet is one of the principal factors causing heart failure. A revised diet can also be one of the best treatments. By adjusting your dog’s diet, you can alleviate the worst causes of dog congestive heart failure.

What causes congestive heart failure in dogs?

Dog congestive heart failure, as mentioned, refers to an inability of the heart to pump blood adequately. This is most often caused by forward resistance or the back-leaking of blood into the heart.

In dogs, the two most common causes are:

Mitral valve insufficiency: Blood leaks through the mitral valve from the left ventricle into the left atrium.
Dilated cardiomyopathy: The ventricle stretches, thins and can't pump blood as well, and it has been linked to certain grain-free diets containing peas and/or legumes.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is also a common cause. Blood pressure can be affected by your dog’s diet.

Vet approved diet plan

To combat the progression of dog congestive heart failure, try the following dietary adjustments:

Avoid peas and legumes

Peas and legumes sound like ideal parts of a dog’s diet, right? After all, they’re packed with nutrients and protein. Sadly, they’re also filled with compounds associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

According to a 2021 study published in Nature, peas and legumes were branded as the leading dog food ingredient contributing to a rise in DCM [*]. These diets are often branded “grain-free”, implying a health improvement. But that’s far from the truth. In fact, of the more than 800 compounds listed as dangerous, peas contained the most.

Peas and legumes are particularly dangerous for breeds at greater risk of DCM, like Boxers, Saint Bernards and Great Danes.

It is believed that peas and legumes may inhibit the uptake of taurine in dogs, which led to DCM in these cases.

Feed whole foods

In people, one of the primary causes of heart disease is processed foods. It’s no different in dogs. In 2019, for example, it was reported that the FDA had issued a warning against 16 dog food brands that may cause dog congestive heart disease (in particular, DCM) [*].

To avoid this problem, feed your dog whole foods, like meat, vegetables and certain grains like oats (see below). These whole foods are associated with higher microbiome diversity and better overall health. Try to opt for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and other heart-boosting nutrients.

Our Perfect Dog Food Mix is a great way to place your dog on a whole food diet with the ideal combination of whole food ingredients.

Switch to lean meats

Limiting fatty meat intake isn’t always a good idea for healthy dogs. But, in dogs with congestive heart failure it’s crucial. Lean meats like chicken and turkey are ideal protein sources for dogs who need to limit their saturated fat intake. Saturated fat blocks the liver's uptake of cholesterol, which can cause LDL levels to rise.

It’s critical to maintain a good protein source which supports heart muscle and general health. Just be mindful of which proteins their eating.

Reduce saturated fats

Not all fats are equal. You may have read that there are “good” fats and “bad” fats. Unsaturated fats are associated with a significant reduction of cardiovascular diseases and death in people [*].

In dogs, reducing saturated fats can have a similar effect. Try substituting with unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, like EPA and DHA, which stabilize heart muscle cells.

Add antioxidants

Antioxidants are always making headlines for their incredible health benefits. Studies suggest dogs with congestive heart failure have lower antioxidant defenses and more signs of oxidative stress than others [*].

Specific antioxidants like coenzyme Q10, vitamin E and polyphenols reduce oxidative stress, which can reduce heart failure. Chicken liver, in particular, is rich in coenzyme Q10. Meanwhile, vitamin E and polyphenols most often occur in plants. [*].

Seek out food containing high levels of antioxidants to combat free radical formation and cell oxidation.

Increase fiber

Fiber and congestive heart failure aren’t well-studied in dogs. However, a recent study in humans may give us an insight into the relationship. The research found low fiber diets were associated with alterations to gut bacteria. This, in turn, led to poorer outcomes for heart failure in patients [*].

The impact of fiber is often underappreciated. Many vegetables such as carrots, inulin, broccoli and oats, contain high levels of fiber. Supplementing your dog’s diet with these foods can therefore improve their outcomes.

Include oats

Finally, consider adding oats to your dog’s diet. Unlike most grains, oats are rich in fiber and count as a type of whole food. They’re much better than legume-rich substitutes.

Oats boast a phenomenal nutrient profile that includes dietary fibers (2.3 – 8.5%). They’re also rich in iron, magnesium, copper, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin [*]. These nutrients collectively support your dog’s overall health—critical when suffering from congestive heart failure.

Additionally, oats contain lots of beta-glucans, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties. A study of oats in dogs found that cholesterol dropped by 5% during a 4-week study.

The bottom line

If your dog has suffered from congestive heart failure or is at risk, now is the time to make substantial changes to your dog's diet.

Use these these guidelines as a science-backed starting place, and be sure to consult with your veterinarian on whichever diet plan you choose.

Dog food for heart health

Perfect Dog Food Mix was specifically formulated with heart health in mind. It's the easiest way to make fresh dog food with low saturated fat at home.

We highly recommend trying a fresh whole food diet to help your dog live longer.