Health

Heart disease in dogs: symptoms, causes and prevention

A dog's heart works tirelessly for a whole lifetime, and like any organ it can fall ill. Heart disease is among the most common chronic conditions in dogs, especially as they grow older, but the good news is that — by recognising the signs in time — it's often possible to manage it well and give a dog a good quality of life for years to come. In this guide we look at the symptoms to watch for, the causes and risk factors, and what you can do, in practical terms, to protect your dog's heart.

One important note before we begin: this article is for information only and does not replace a veterinary examination. Heart disease requires diagnosis and treatment by a veterinary surgeon; your role is to recognise the signs and bring your dog in for a check-up at the right moment.

The symptoms not to underestimate

Heart disease often progresses slowly, and the first signs can be mistaken for the simple effects of age. Learning to recognise them is the first step to acting early. The most common symptoms include:

• A persistent cough, particularly at night, when lying down or after exertion. It's one of the most telltale signs.
• Fatigue and reduced stamina: your dog tires sooner on walks, stops, struggles to keep up the pace he once managed.
• Rapid or laboured breathing (dyspnoea), even at rest, or an increased breathing rate while sleeping.
• A reduced appetite and, over time, loss of muscle mass.
• Fainting or collapse (syncope), often linked to exertion or excitement.
• A swollen abdomen from fluid build-up and, in severe cases, pale or bluish gums.

None of these symptoms is a diagnosis in itself — a cough, for example, can have many causes — but their appearance, especially in combination, always warrants a prompt veterinary check-up.

Causes and risk factors

Heart disease in dogs doesn't have a single origin. The main distinction is between congenital forms (present from birth) and acquired ones, which develop over the course of life and are by far the most common. Among the most widespread acquired conditions are mitral valve degeneration, typical of older small-breed dogs, and dilated cardiomyopathy, more common in large and giant breeds.

The main risk factors are:

• Age: the risk rises with ageing, as the heart's structures wear down.
• Breed and genetics: some breeds are predisposed to specific forms. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle are more prone to valve problems; Dobermans, Great Danes and Boxers to dilated cardiomyopathy.
• Overweight and obesity: excess weight puts a strain on the heart and worsens the course of heart disease.
• A sedentary lifestyle: a lack of adequate exercise has a negative effect on overall cardiovascular health.
• An unbalanced diet: a diet that isn't balanced, lacking in certain nutrients, can have repercussions for heart function.

The importance of early diagnosis

Many heart conditions, caught in time, can be managed effectively with treatments that improve a dog's quality and length of life. That's why regular veterinary check-ups are so important, especially in older dogs and predisposed breeds: during the examination the vet listens to the heart and can detect a murmur or an arrhythmia even before obvious symptoms appear.

If something is suspected, specific investigations (a cardiology consultation, echocardiography, electrocardiogram, chest X-rays) make it possible to establish a diagnosis and treatment. Don't put off the check-up: in heart disease, time is a factor that truly counts.

Prevention: what you can do every day

Not all heart disease can be prevented — congenital or genetic forms, for example, can't — but you can reduce the risk and support your dog's heart with the right daily choices.

• Keep your dog at a healthy weight. This is probably the single most important thing: excess weight is a direct enemy of the heart. Check his body condition and adjust portions accordingly.
• Provide regular, appropriate exercise. Walks and steady movement support the cardiovascular system, while avoiding excessive, sudden exertion, especially in hot weather or in dogs that aren't conditioned.
• Feed a complete and balanced diet. A quality diet, with adequate protein and the right balance of nutrients, is a cornerstone of overall and heart health.
• Don't skip veterinary check-ups. Prevention starts with early diagnosis.

The role of nutrition

Nutrition isn't a cure for heart disease, but it's an important part of prevention and overall management. A dog fed a complete, balanced and high-quality diet, kept at his ideal weight, starts from a better baseline. Weight control, in particular, is one of the most underrated tools for protecting the heart.

Choosing foods with recognisable ingredients and balanced formulations helps keep these aspects in check. Pappa Fresh recipes, for example, are complete and balanced, formulated by a veterinary nutritionist and available in portions calibrated to your dog's weight: a practical way to avoid overdoing the calories and keep your dog in shape. With a diagnosed heart condition, however, it's always the vet who advises on the most suitable diet, which in some cases involves specific prescription diets.

In short

Heart disease in dogs is common, especially with age and in certain breeds, but recognising the symptoms in time — coughing, fatigue, laboured breathing, fainting — makes an enormous difference. Not all of it can be prevented, but keeping your dog at a healthy weight, providing adequate exercise, feeding a balanced diet and not skipping veterinary check-ups are the best tools at your disposal. Faced with any worrying sign, the golden rule remains one: speak to your vet.