People love their dogs! From treats to toys to playtime, much attention is given to our furry friends. But, have you given thought to a dog’s heart health? The heart can easily be taken for granted. It can be overlooked amidst all the potty training, learning skills, and every fun aspect of having a best friend. Take a moment and consider how important it is to do preventative canine heart care. The rewards are priceless!
A dog’s heart can benefit from the same positive steps that affect a human’s heart health. Eat properly, cut out too many fattening foods, exercise, lessen stress, and get proper sleep—all great recommendations. These are important habits to implement, even when those big eyes are begging for something you know is not suitable for a pup’s health. The “just this once” can lead to continual spoiling that makes a pet parent feel happy at the moment, but can cause many problems over time. Think of it this way; imagine you have a chef who only feeds you what’s good for you, and you don’t have to make any decisions other than to enjoy the right food consistently. That’s what you can offer your dog!
That type of consistency also includes supplementation to support a dog’s heart health. Consider providing your pet an omega-3 supplement. Wise pet people turn to a supplement that delivers heart health benefits, along with support for brain and eye health. While you may—like most people—think that fish oil is the only way to obtain omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is NOT the only option. Fish oil is highly refined and altered in processing, and can be contaminated by heavy metals. And it is absolutely not required for omega-3! In fact, the oil is just a taxi that carries the omega-3. Terry Naturally Animal Health has found omega-3 from salmon that is not carried by oil. Instead, it is accompanied by phospholipids and peptides (which have health benefits on their own) in a solid delivery system. It’s ideal for heart, brain, and eye health. Obviously dogs are oblivious about getting DHA and EPA in a perfect bioidentical form, but pet parents will appreciate the ease of giving their pup a tasty, soft chew. An added bonus? No worries about using a product prepared without harsh solvents or toxins, or one prone to rancidity—all critical factors when choosing an omega-3 supplement.
Staying on top of healthy steps makes a big difference. Just like humans, dogs are prone to weight gain through the aging process. Monitor weight and provide proper exercise through every stage of life. If a dog starts to show any signs of change in behavior and health, it’s time to explore these changes with a vet. Speaking of check-ups, it’s essential to keep up with a yearly vet visit, a fundamental way to stay on top of good health. Prevention and consistent care are the best ways to help keep a pet healthy and thriving for years to come.