Alongside other therapies dietary modification helps support heart function. Minimising sodium intake helps regulate your dog's fluid balance. Water is less likely to be retained (most often in the abdomen) helping reduce signs of cardiac disease. Select nutrients help keep other minerals in check and are presented in a highly palatable formula.

Royal Canin Cardiac should be your dog's sole source of food and high-salt treats and human foods in particular should be avoided.

The incidence of heart disease in dogs increases as they age and certain breeds of dog are more likely to develop heart disease. Royal Canin Cardiac diets are formulated for the nutritional support of pets with:

n Congestive heart failure

n Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Heart disease in dogs is often caused by defects in the valves or the heart muscle (myocardium). Many forms of heart disease in dogs are progressive however a combination of therapy, dietary support and a managed lifestyle can ensure better quality of life for your dog.

The key features of Royal Canin Cardiac diet are:

n Highly concentrated energy

n Reduced sodium

n Enhanced levels of taurine and L-carnitine

n Enhanced flavanol levels

n High digestibility

n Restricted phosphorus content

Royal Canin Cardiac diet is enriched in antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine, lutein and flavanols) to help maintain health and vitality.

'Antioxidant' is a general term for nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and other components naturally present in many foods. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals produced during normal body metabolism that can cause damage to body cells. Free radical production increases when your pet is ill.

Why should my dog have a low salt diet?

Animals with heart failure may retain salt (sodium chloride) and therefore water in their bodies leading to fluid retention. Feeding a low salt diet ensures that your dog does not have high levels of salt to retain.

Does fluid retention cause my dog problems?

The fluid may accumulate in the lungs and in the abdomen, leading to coughing, difficulty in breathing and abdominal distension.

What happens to my dog if their heart is not working properly?

If the heart is not pumping efficiently, the amount of blood circulating to the body will be decreased and you may see:

n Fatigue

n Weakness

n A pale appearance to the gums

What is the management for my dog s heart disease?

n Heart medication prescribed by your Veterinary Surgeon

n Royal Canin Cardiac diet

n Restricted exercise

How does the medication help my dog?

The goals of the medications are to:

n Increase heart muscle strength during contraction

n Decrease fluid retention

n Dilate blood vessels to reduce the heart's workload in circulating the blood through the body

Will my dog have a good life?

Your Veterinary Surgeon will conduct a thorough assessment of your dogs individual needs. Your commitment to managing their heart condition at home will help your dog live a more comfortable life for longer.

The recommended diet Changing your pet s diet

Key features

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

How does the heart work?

The heart is the pump that drives blood (containing oxygen and nutrients) through the blood vessels to supply the cells of the body:

n Air is inhaled into the lungs where oxygen is picked up by red blood cells in tiny blood vessels. The oxygen-rich blood is then carried to the left side of the heart by a large blood vessel

n The heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood through the arteries to the rest of the body's tissues collecting absorbed nutrients from the intestinal tract on the way

n The cells of the body remove the oxygen and nutrients from the blood, and exchange them for metabolic waste products from the cells (e.g. carbon dioxide) which are then removed by the blood

n The de-oxygenated blood returns from the body to the right side of the heart via the veins

n The right side of the heart pumps the de-oxygenated blood back to the lungs where carbon dioxide is removed and more oxygen is picked up

The left and right sides of the heart are separate, so that the entire system is a circuit moving blood in one direction through the body. Most forms of heart failure involve a decrease in the pumping ability of the heart on one or both sides. This results in a build up of fluid leading to fluid accumulation and congestion in the chest and/ or in the abdomen.

A specific diet for your pet

Antioxidants

Changing your pet s diet should always be carried out over several days. It is not uncommon for pets to refuse a new diet or to suffer from stomach or gut upsets if the change is not gradual. On day 1, begin by adding a small amount of the new diet to your pet s existing food. As each day passes, add more of the new diet to less of the original food, until eventually you are only feeding the new diet. This change should take around 5-7 days.

Royal Canin are leaders in palatability. So confident are we that your pet will enjoy their food that we offer a no quibble, money-back guarantee. Simply return the food to your veterinary practice for a full refund*.

* Terms and conditions apply