Heart Arrhythmia in Dogs: Symptoms and Solutions
The heart plays a crucial role in your dog's health. In addition to ensuring proper blood circulation, it nourishes cells and tissues with each beat. Because of this vital function, heart arrhythmias in dogs should never be ignored.
Be sure to read on to discover how you can address this health issue with a strategy your dog will love: tasty, nutritious foods. While I strongly advocate for natural solutions to keep your dog happy and healthy, it’s essential to consult a veterinary cardiologist if the problem is more than minor.
Canine Abnormal Heart Rhythm: What You Need to Know
Canine heart arrhythmia is like a drum that beats out of time. To create beautiful music, the drumbeats shouldn’t be too fast or too slow—they need to keep a steady rhythm. The same goes for the heart: when its beats are out of sync, it could mean something is wrong and might need attention.
There are three main types of arrhythmia in dogs: ventricular tachycardia when the heart beats too fast; bradycardia, when the heart beats too slow; and atrial fibrillation or sinus arrhythmia, which causes erratic heartbeats. These conditions are generally attributed to disrupted electrical impulses that affect the heart's rhythm.
The most serious issue with canine heart arrhythmia is that the heart may not pump blood effectively. This can disrupt proper blood flow throughout the body. As a result, your dog might experience symptoms like fainting, lethargy, and, in severe cases, heart failure, which could even lead to sudden cardiac death.
While heart arrhythmias themselves may not always be immediately life-threatening, the underlying causes behind them can pose serious risks to your pet's health. Conditions such as structural heart disease or other systemic issues could lead to dangerous outcomes if left unaddressed. This is why it’s essential to identify and treat arrhythmias early, ensuring that any underlying problems are managed effectively.
Is Heart Arrhythmia in Dogs a Sign of Underlying Structural Heart Disease?
It isn't always the case.
Ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation can be triggered by both structural heart disease and non-structural factors. Structural causes include conditions like valvular disease, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and congenital heart defects, which interfere with the heart’s electrical signals, leading to rhythm disturbances.
On the other hand, non-structural factors like low magnesium and potassium levels can negatively impact the heart muscle's performance, potentially causing arrhythmias. However, regardless of the cause of your canine companion's irregular heartbeat, it’s important to consult a pet wellness expert or your family veterinarian, ideally a heart specialist, to properly assess the issue and provide guidance on treatment.
Top Warning Signs Your Dog May Be Suffering from an Irregular Heart Rhythm
The following are the most prominent clinical signs of heart arrhythmias in dogs. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, it is crucial to seek professional assistance immediately. Heart arrhythmias can stem from conditions like sinus node disease or even escalate to ventricular fibrillation, which can be fatal.
- Heartbeat rhythm disturbance
- Unexplained lethargy or weakness
- Fainting episodes
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing (often associated with congestive heart disease)
- Exercise intolerance
- Pale or bluish gums
- Sudden lack of interest in food
- Heightened anxiety or restlessness
These are common indicators of atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias in dogs and cats. While I don’t want to alarm you, certain arrhythmias can, in rare cases, lead to serious complications, including sudden death. That's why it's crucial to address these signs promptly.
5 Foods That Will Help Address Abnormal Heart Rhythms in Dogs
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let's explore some heart-healthy foods that can help support the management of ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.
While these foods can contribute to better heart health, it’s important to emphasize that they should complement, not replace, more comprehensive treatment options given the seriousness of these conditions.
#1. Fatty fish
When it comes to canine arrhythmia, feeding your dog fatty fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna, and sardines can give its heart a much-needed boost. These fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart function and help prevent inflammation, potentially aiding in the regulation of heart rhythm.
Although fatty fish are completely safe for dogs, as long as they are properly prepared, you should limit them to no more than 10% of your pet's diet, as excessive amounts may lead to weight gain.
The ideal way to feed your dog fatty fish is to cook it plainly—baked, steamed, boiled, or grilled—and unseasoned. Make sure to remove all bones and cartilage, which are potential choking hazards. Always ensure the fish is fresh and doesn't have a strong odor.
Additionally, chia seeds and flaxseed are rich sources of plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids. Adding a small amount of these seeds to your dog's regular meals may help support heart health, particularly in managing cardiac arrhythmias.
#2. Beef and lamb
L-carnitine is a natural compound that helps transport nutrients—such as Omega-3 fatty acids—to and from the heart. It also plays a key role in energy production. Because of its benefits for heart health and energy production, beef and lamb, which are rich in L-carnitine, are excellent additions to your dog’s diet.
In my experience as an animal homeopathy expert, I recommend limiting beef or lamb in your pet’s diet to 2-3%. While many commercial dog foods contain some L-carnitine, it’s beneficial to supplement with natural sources.
The ideal way to feed your dog beef or lamb is to serve it plainly cooked and unseasoned. Be sure to remove any bones and tendons, as they can pose a choking hazard and are hard to digest. While raw feeding is also an option, proper handling, and preparation are essential to ensure safety.
#3. Chicken
One of the key benefits of feeding chicken to dogs with heart arrhythmias is its ability to reduce bad cholesterol, which, if not properly managed, can lead to heart disease. Compared to other protein sources, chicken is low in fat and can support both heart health and weight management in dogs.
The most appropriate way to serve chicken is to cook it plainly without seasoning. Be sure to remove all bones and tendons, and discard the skin to reduce excess fat. It's also important to note that chicken is not recommended for raw feeding due to the potential risk of bacterial contamination, such as E. coli and Salmonella.
Depending on your dog's size, a tablespoon of cooked chicken may be sufficient. However, avoid feeding your dog commercially produced chicken products, such as nuggets or spiced dishes, which often contain harmful additives like preservatives and excessive salt.
#4. Whole grains
Whole grains are high in fiber, which supports the optimal function and health of the heart muscle. To clarify, "whole grain" refers to grains that retain the endosperm, germ, and bran, unlike refined grains, which have had the germ and bran removed.
Good whole grain options for dogs include oats and brown rice. I recommend cooking them thoroughly and integrating small amounts into your dog’s meals. For most pets, a couple of tablespoons will suffice, though medium and large breed dogs, like German Shepherds, can also benefit from the additional energy provided by whole grain carbohydrates.
#5. Leafy greens
Cardiac rhythm disturbances in dogs usually occur when the electrical signals produced by the heart muscle become weak. This makes it difficult for the heart to sustain proper beats, which can ultimately lead to issues such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and supraventricular premature complexes.
Leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale, broccoli, and spinach are rich in magnesium, which helps maintain muscle and nerve function, ensuring that the heart valves work properly. It is crucial to remember that arrhythmias are often caused by weakened heart chambers, which can result from factors such as poor diet, genetics, or aging.
I recommend cooking leafy greens plainly and integrating them into your dog's meals. While these healthy options provide numerous benefits that may help avert heart disease, it’s important to limit leafy greens to no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Excessive amounts can disrupt gut flora and may even cause kidney health issues in some breeds.
A Quick Reminder for Dog Parents
It’s crucial to keep in mind that no matter how careful you are with your dog’s diet when dealing with heart arrhythmias, it won’t maximize the benefits if its gut health is not ideal. This is why we’ve formulated PROBIOPET, a high-quality probiotic designed to support optimal gut health and strengthen your pet’s immune system.
PROBIOPET promotes optimal immune and gut health for your pet. This active formula is an excellent way to help stabilize your pet’s digestive health. If you’re looking for a reliable probiotic to support colon function or address issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or gas, PROBIOPET is the ideal choice. This premium natural product can play a vital role in maintaining your pet’s overall health and well-being.
Possible Causes of Canine Cardiac Arrhythmia
Atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias don’t occur without an underlying cause. There must be an underlying factor for these conditions to develop. The following are the most common factors that contribute to heart arrhythmias in dogs and cats:Traumatic injuries can block proper blood flow.
Did you know that traumatic injuries can contribute to heart arrhythmias in dogs? The most common cause is a blunt force hit to the heart, which can bruise or contuse the heart muscle.
This kind of trauma not only disrupts the heart’s electrical impulses, making them erratic but can also lead to fluid buildup around the heart. Both issues can result in arrhythmias. In severe cases, diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs or electrocardiograms (ECG) may be necessary to check whether the chambers of the heart are still functioning properly.
It’s crucial to understand that blunt force trauma can cause dangerous arrhythmias, potentially leading to fatal outcomes if left untreated.
Heart disease can lead to atrial fibrillation.
Heart disease and arrhythmias are often closely linked. Take arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), for example. In this condition, structural changes in the heart muscle disrupt the electrical signals that regulate heart rhythm, leading to arrhythmias.
Other examples include valvular heart disease, where malfunctioning heart valves affect blood flow, and coronary artery disease, where blockages in the arteries reduce blood supply to the heart. These issues can lead to thickening of the left or right ventricle, impairing blood flow and potentially triggering rhythm disturbances.
Irregular heartbeat patterns can be triggered by infections.
Dogs can also be prone to heart rhythm disturbances when they suffer from infections such as distemper, endocarditis, Chagas disease, heartworm, Lyme disease, and canine parvovirus. These infections typically damage the heart chambers or disrupt normal heart rhythms, causing arrhythmias.
Heart arrhythmias are often a clinical sign in dogs experiencing these infections. Importantly, these infections tend to arise in pets with weakened immune systems. Strengthening your dog's immune health can help prevent these infections and protect their heart.
Extreme levels of stress and anxiety can set off cardiac arrhythmias.
If your dog is experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety, the body releases hormones like adrenaline, which can increase heart rate and potentially disrupt normal heart rhythms.
While this issue is more common in dogs with underlying conditions—such as sinus node disease, especially in brachycephalic breeds, severe anemia, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—it can also affect healthy dogs undergoing extreme stress.
To help prevent stress-related arrhythmias, it’s important to ensure your dog’s overall health is maintained, including supporting a strong immune system and monitoring hormone levels. Often, dogs display clinical signs of severe stress and anxiety when the condition has already progressed significantly, making early management crucial.
Conclusion
Dog heart arrhythmias are not something to ignore. While they don’t necessarily indicate that your pet has heart disease, neglecting this health issue can lead to serious, potentially fatal consequences.
It’s important to remember that early treatment of arrhythmias provides the best outcome, as it helps prevent your pet from developing more severe health problems. Many dogs with arrhythmias may have underlying structural heart disease or other conditions that can reduce their lifespan.
While promoting heart health through proper nutrition is beneficial, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian if the arrhythmia seems more than minor. When it comes to your canine companion’s life, taking chances isn’t worth the risk.
Thank you for reading this blog post! I hope you’ve found it informative. I’d love to hear your questions and insights in the comments section. See you in my next article!
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