When earthquakes started hitting Oklahoma in the early 2010s, it surprised a lot of people.
Prior to 2010, the state averaged less than two earthquakes per year, usually mild. But as the decade progressed, that number shot up to as many as 887 in one year – more than two per day.
The state of Oklahoma knew it needed to do something to protect its public buildings, so it took two steps…
It identified the cause of the earthquakes – wastewater from oil and gas production was being pumped back into the ground, causing disturbance to the earth’s crust – and put restrictions on the practice.
It also surveyed its public buildings to determine what was needed to reinforce them, to reduce the likelihood of damage in the future.
A similar phenomenon has been happening with pets recently. Veterinarians have been seeing a rise in heart conditions among their patients – and it has them concerned.
Heart issues are now the most common cause of sudden death in cats and the number two cause of death in dogs.
Dogs as young as five years old can be affected, and reason for concern increases dramatically with an animal’s age. Up to 75% of senior dogs have some type of heart condition.
Some estimates put the percentage of cats in the U.S. with a heart condition at around 15%.
While finding the cause of the rise in heart issues isn’t as simple as finding the cause of the earthquakes in Oklahoma, vets have identified two major contributors: a pet’s diet and being overweight.
So, what can you do to help your pet stay healthy?
Like the builder who lays in earthquake protection, you can provide reinforcement to help protect your pet from possible future problems.
Let’s discuss the things you can do to help keep your pet healthy.
A Close-Up Look at Your Pet’s Heart
To understand how to keep your pet’s heart healthy, it’s important to know how her heart works, and how problems develop. From there, you can understand what is needed to give her the best support possible.
Cats’ and dogs’ hearts are divided into four functional parts. Those parts are the:
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Heart muscle, which pumps blood throughout the body.
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Heart valves, which direct blood flow in the proper direction.
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Pericardium, the tough membrane that envelops and protects the heart.
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Heart conducting system, which directs the electrical impulses that keep the heart beating in a coordinated manner.
Various heart conditions, either inherited or acquired, can affect any or all of these components.
Common heart concerns that can affect cats and dogs include:
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Enlargement or thickening of the heart (this is the most common heart condition seen in cats).
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Weakening of the heart muscle.
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Buildup of scar tissue on the inner lining and muscle of the heart.
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Deterioration of the valves (heart murmur), allowing the blood to leak backwards and increase the load on the heart; this can be genetic or acquired.
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Circulatory or blood flow issues (common condition in dogs).
Many of the changes develop slowly, over months and years, with few outward signs of declining heart function.
While some heart concerns may be preventable, some aren’t. But, by supporting your pet’s heart health with smart lifestyle choices, you may be able to help slow the progression of changes and limit their long-term effects.
These Pets Are Most at Risk for Heart Conditions
Certain breeds are more susceptible to heart conditions at an earlier age, but the reality is that any dog or cat can experience changes that develop naturally with age.
With congenital heart conditions, genetics are mostly to blame. Inherited cardiac issues affect both small and large dog breeds. Several canine breeds more likely to be impacted by genetic heart conditions include:
A full 50% of Cavaliers have detectable heart issues by age five. Dobermans, especially males, should be screened twice yearly starting at age four for heart conditions. All of the breeds in the above list should be monitored closely for heart issues, starting at an early age.
Several breeds of cats are also genetically predisposed to heart conditions:
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Maine Coon
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American Shorthair
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British Shorthair
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Persians
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Siamese
As you can see, some very popular cat breeds are included in this group. That may be why cats more than dogs tend to exhibit signs of heart conditions during their lifetimes.
The Hidden Heart Crisis in Cats
Because kitties are such masters at concealing health issues, a heart concern often remains hidden until it becomes a crisis. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. In the wild, any type of weakness makes an animal stand out to its predators.
On the outside, your cat may appear healthy. If a heart issue is brewing, you’re unlikely to know until he begins to show more advanced signs. All you may notice at first is a decreased appetite, or maybe he is sleeping or hiding more. Issues often arise around middle age.
So, what can you do to support your kitty’s heart health and function?
Most importantly, feed your cat a human-grade, meat-based diet, without grains and unnecessary carbohydrates.
While there are a multitude of reasons to feed meat and avoid carbs, one of the most important reasons lies in an essential amino acid that is crucial for heart health…
Taurine. Critical not only for heart health, it also supports brain health, eye function, digestive health and nerve growth.
While most mammals are able to make their own taurine from other amino acids, a cat’s ability to do this is limited, so your cat requires large amounts of it in his diet. Fresh food diets rich in organ and muscle meats contain abundant, naturally occurring taurine.
While taurine is routinely added to commercial cat food, it’s not always in sufficient quantity to meet feline needs. Cats can easily become taurine deficient if they don’t get enough in their diets.
There are some types of cat food that, while they meet AAFCO nutritional requirements, are nonetheless low in taurine. These include dry kibble and semi-moist pouched food.
I strongly recommend that you avoid feeding your cat these types of foods. I also recommend providing extra taurine if your cat may be at risk for heart concerns.
What You Need to Know About the Link Between Diet and Heart Health
Researchers have made an interesting discovery in recent years – the canine cardiovascular system is very similar to the human cardiovascular system.
One area in which they are strikingly similar is the significant role diet plays in heart health.
For humans, processed junk food with excessive carbohydrates are a known factor for heart concern risk.
For dogs and cats, it’s not much different…
Biologically inappropriate, highly processed pet food with too many unnecessary carbs is the equivalent of junk food for your pet – and it may also raise her risk for heart issues.
The sad truth is, far too many dogs and cats are eating a junk food diet their entire lives.
Most dry pet food, or kibble, is a blend of poor-quality meats, byproducts and feed-grade vitamins and minerals. In addition, most kibble contains high-glycemic, genetically engineered (GE) corn, wheat, rice or potato.
The pet food industry wants you to believe that carbohydrates are not only good for your pet but also that they’re an “essential nutrient.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
Grains and carbohydrates have no place in a carnivore’s diet – they weren’t designed to digest them, and they can cause unhealthy spikes in your pet’s insulin, glucagon and cortisol throughout the day.
Plus, if your pet is getting a significant amount of calories from carbs instead of from meat, it further lowers her intake of taurine.
Why Commercial Grain-Free Pet Food Isn’t a Better Option
Because a carnivore like your dog or cat has no dietary need for grains, and his digestive system can’t even handle them properly, it would be a better choice to feed him a grain-free diet, right?
Well, here’s what we’ve learned about commercial grain-free diets.
Twenty years ago, this option emerged as an alternative to the corn, rice and wheat that is widely used in pet foods.
Initially, some veterinarians thought the switch to grain-free might be a good thing. However, within a few years, they started noticing some troubling changes in their patients’ health.
Many pet owners don’t realize it, but grain-free processed food isn’t carbohydrate- or starch-free. In fact, grain-free pet foods are high in starch and some contain even more carbs than regular grain-based pet food.
Not only are veterinarians seeing weight gain and rising insulin levels in their patients consuming the alternative grain-free diets, but they are also seeing a rise in cardiac issues.
Whether they’re connected hasn’t been established. However, there is the potential that some of the ingredients in grain-free kibble may be creating dietary deficiencies – specifically in taurine and carnitine, two amino acids found primarily in muscle tissue.
Some researchers think the high carbs in grain-free pet food may deplete taurine levels, or possibly make the nutrient less bioavailable or useable.
Plus, the high-heat extrusion process used to make kibble creates byproducts that can cause a chemical reaction between the amino acids and carbs in the food. This may degrade the taurine and alter your pet’s microbiome, or gut bacteria.
Two More Reasons Why Beans, Peas and Lentils Don’t Belong in Your Pet’s Food Bowl
Up until 20 years ago, pet food included primarily rice, wheat or corn. With the advent of grain-free food, manufacturers started replacing the grains with peas, lentils, tapioca, garbanzos (chickpeas) and other beans, and white potatoes.
In essence, pet food became even more biologically inappropriate.
Not only are legumes and similar starches very high in carbohydrates, they’re added to pet food in place of meat to boost protein levels. However, peas, beans, lentils and white potatoes are not acceptable substitutes for meat.
They are missing the amino acids your pet needs for her cardiovascular health, putting her heart at risk.
That’s not the only problem… Grain-free foods contain anti-nutrients, such as lectins and phytates, that can interfere with the absorption of taurine and other important nutrients.
Another ingredient that shouldn’t be in your pet’s food is beet pulp. This unnecessary filler binds with bile acids in the small intestine, increasing their excretion. Because bile acids are needed to recycle taurine, beet pulp can lower your pet’s total body taurine levels.
In summary, there are three factors that make commercial grain-free diets inappropriate for your pet, and potentially put her heart health at risk:
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The high levels of starchy carbohydrates
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The low levels of high-quality protein
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The extreme high-heat processing methods used to create kibble and other commercial pet foods
The best food you can provide your pet is a fresh, nutritionally balanced, grain-free, species-appropriate diet. Fresh, living foods have an abundance of enzymes, fragile fatty acids, phytonutrients and amino acids that are lost with any type of processing.
Because taurine is so important for cats’ and dogs’ overall health, I recommend supplementing all pets with high-taurine foods or extra taurine, no matter what type of food you feed your pet.
The Key Role of Antioxidants – Like Sending in the Reinforcements to Help Support Your Pet’s Heart
The good news is that, in spite of rising trends, there are things you can do to support your pet’s optimal heart health as he ages.
One of the biggest factors affecting your pet’s cellular health at every level is oxidative stress caused by excess free radicals. Free radicals can cause damage to heart cells and tissues.
Here’s how it happens…
Unstable free radical molecules with uneven numbers of electrons travel around your pet's body seeking stable molecules to bond with. When a free radical finds a stable molecule, it is able to take that extra electron and stabilize itself.
However, in the process, it creates a new unstable molecule. As this process is repeated over and over, free radicals multiply, resulting in oxidative stress.
Antioxidants have a neutralizing effect on free radicals, so they help protect your pet’s heart and other organs from the oxidative stress that can lead to damage.
Feeding your pet antioxidants is like sending reinforcements into the battle against free radical damage.
Studies show that using a combination of antioxidant compounds with complementary effects is more effective at supporting heart health than using just a single antioxidant compound.
That awareness led me and my team to formulate Bark & Whiskers® Heart Health, a unique blend of ingredients to support cardiovascular health. It includes:
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Antioxidants from multiple sources
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Important amino acids, like taurine and carnitine
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Other beneficial plant compounds
Let’s take a look at each of these ingredients…
12 Active Ingredients That Support Your Pet’s Heart Health – With Pet-Friendly Organic Cheddar Cheese
![Bark & Whiskers® Heart Health]()
Our Bark & Whiskers® Heart Health contains human-grade antioxidants, amino acids and other beneficial ingredients that many dogs and cats need for cardiovascular health.
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Rutin (from the flower bud of Sophora japonica, or Japanese Pagoda tree)
A bioflavonoid, or plant pigment, with powerful antioxidant properties, yellow-colored rutin supports blood vessel health and blood circulation.
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Taurine
An amino acid found primarily in muscle meat, concentrations are highest in your pet’s heart, muscles, brain and retina. The main source of taurine for your pet is her diet. Taurine supports cardiovascular, eye and immune health.
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Glycine
This amino acid acts as a precursor for key antioxidants such as glutathione and creatine, and supports cardiovascular health and overall well-being of animals and humans.
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Organic Hawthorn Berry Fruit
Acting as an antioxidant bioflavonoid, hawthorn supports optimal circulation to the ventricles of the heart. Multiple studies show it promotes exercise tolerance and supports overall cardiovascular health in dogs and cats.
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D-Ribose
A sugar molecule that’s part of your pet’s DNA and an important component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells’ primary energy source, D-ribose supports heart function and energy production in his heart muscle.
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Trimethylglycine (TMG)
A plant compound also known as betaine, TMG may help your pet’s cells adapt to stress and support their energy production. TMG also supports healthy blood flow and blood vessel health.
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L-Carnitine
Comprised of the amino acids lysine and methionine, L-carnitine is produced in your pet’s liver and kidneys and stored in heart, brain and skeletal muscle tissues. It plays a key role in fat metabolism, allowing fat to be utilized for energy production for heart function.
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Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) (from Decaffeinated Green Tea Leaf Extract)
A polyphenolic component of green tea with the caffeine removed, EGCG offers powerful antioxidant benefits. It’s easily absorbed into all body tissues to support healthy cells.
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Pomegranate Fruit Extract
This extract contains flavonoids, tannins and lignans, polyphenols with strong antioxidant and protective qualities to support your pet’s cell and gut health.
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d-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E from non-GMO sunflower)
The most active form of vitamin E, d-alpha tocopherol functions as a potent antioxidant that helps protect your pet’s heart cells and tissues against oxidative stress. Plus, it supports circulation and healthy red blood cell walls.
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Pine Bark Extract
From the bark of Pinus radiata, this pine bark is rich in total phenols and naturally occurring chemicals called proanthocyanidins. The extract acts as a powerful antioxidant to support heart tissue and muscle health.
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Niacin
Converted to the active form niacinamide by intestinal bacteria, niacin supports healthy blood levels of lipoproteins, such as LDL, and triglycerides.
All of these carefully selected ingredients work together to support your pet’s optimal heart function and overall cardiovascular health.
And to ensure your cat or dog will look forward to this exceptional Heart Health formula, we’ve blended the active ingredients into a delicious base of Certified Organic Cheddar Cheese powder.
Double the Impact – Ubiquinol and Bark & Whiskers® Heart Health – The Perfect Combo for Ultimate Cardiovascular Support
I always recommend Ubiquinol, the reduced, active form of CoQ10, to support heart health in dogs and cats.
Ubiquinol is a powerhouse, providing energy to the cells of every organ in the body, especially to the heart. It works as an antioxidant and provides powerful support for the cells’ mitochondria – the energy factories inside cells.
Our Ubiquinol for Cats & Dogs works synergistically with Heart Health, but in its own unique way.
While Ubiquinol provides support for the energy-producing mitochondria in your pet’s heart, Heart Health provides support for the heart muscle. It supports the electrical and physiological aspects of the heart muscle structure.
I recommend Heart Health to support optimal heart health in all cats and dogs, but especially in these groups:
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High-risk breeds (start when your pet is still a kitten or puppy)
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Athletic and hard-working pets
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All cats and dogs over the age of 7
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Any cat or dog with a heart health concern
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Any cat or dog eating kibble (and semi-moist pouched food)
Take an Important Step to Help Protect and Support Your Pet’s Heart Against the Effects of Aging
![Bark & Whiskers®Heart Health 3-Pack]()
The good news is, you can provide your pet with targeted antioxidant support for his heart with our Bark & Whiskers® Heart Health. An ounce of prevention now has the potential to reap significant benefits later, when your pet needs it the most.
Our unique blend of antioxidants, amino acids and other beneficial plant compounds supports the health of your pet’s entire cardiovascular system, whether he's a puppy or a senior.
Order Heart Health today, and for the ultimate in cardiac support, use it with Ubiquinol for Cats & Dogs. They’re designed to work together to provide your pet with support you can trust.
Give your pet Bark & Whiskers® Heart Health, powerful heart health support so you can enjoy many happy years together.