The 10 Warning Signs Of Heart Disease In Your Pet

We all love our pets and want to make sure they are in the best of health. Heart disease can be scary when it comes to our furry friends, but understanding the warning signs can save their lives.

Signs of heart disease are usually easier to see in dogs and less detectable in cats. Schedule an appointment with your vet especially if they have fainted, have a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, or noticeable abdominal swelling.

Preventive, proactive care is the best kind of care we can offer our pets, so ensure you take your cat or dog to the vet at least once per year. A regular checkup could spot the early warning signs of heart disease.

Ten signs your pet could have heart disease:

1. A persistent cough
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Fainting/collapsing
4. Abdominal swelling/distention
5. Less tolerance to exercise
6. Heart murmur
7. Change in heart rate
8. Change in body weight
9. Restless
10. Loss of appetite

Heart disease affects:

• 10% of dog's age 5-8 years
• 20-25% of dog's age 9-12 years
• 30-35% of dog's age 13+ years

Although heart disease can be found in cats at any age, it usually strikes at around 4-6 years of age

Follow these 5 tips to help protect your pet's heart:

• Maintain healthy body weight for your pet. Being overweight makes the heart work harder
• Exercise your pet regularly. Walking for dogs and active play time for both cats and dogs
• Watch for the signs of heart disease as outlined in the ten signs above
• Know your breed. Some are more prone to heart disease
• Take your pet to the vet for a checkup at least once per year