Canine Health: Getting To the Heart of It
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 43 million dogs are estimated to be overweight or obese, and a primary risk of excess weight, in pets, is heart disease. And, just as humans often adopt a natural diet to help support cardiac health, feeding natural foods can also benefit their canine companions.
When it comes to canine heart health, there are two key things for pet parents to consider: feed a balanced diet that is rich in high-quality, natural foods and encourage regular exercise to help maintain lean body condition.
"The heart is an organ that benefits greatly from lean body mass," said Dr. Al Townshend, staff veterinarian, Wellness Natural Pet Food. "Excess fat around the heart can create resistance, which makes the heart work harder for each beat."
To help dogs maintain a healthy heart, Dr. Townshend suggests a feeding regimen that includes high quality protein, fat and carbohydrates, along with essential vitamins and minerals. Wellness natural food and snacks, including the Super5Mix dry dog recipes, are made with carefully chosen, authentic ingredients, each of which has a purpose. These natural recipes include key nutrients that can help with canine heart health, such as:
- Antioxidants, like beta carotene and vitamin E.
- Taurine, an amino acid that is essential for the proper functioning of the heart, regulating heartbeat and protecting the heart from calcium excess.
- Omega 3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties to support healthy blood pressure and help reduce the risk of blood clots.
Along with proper nutrition, pet parents should strive to provide their dogs with regular exercise in the form of walks, hikes and active play. Yearly veterinary examinations can also help maintain a pet's heart health, as well as his or her overall well-being. For more information, visit www.wellnesspetfood.com.
SOURCE:
Wellness Natural Pet Food
