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.”

For more on this story, see the July 21 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.