Help! My Dogs Has an Enlarged Heart! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“My Yorkie, Katie, is 5.5 lbs and 12.5 years old. Recently diagnosed with enlarged heart by cardiologist. No prescriptions were given, but we were told she should have ‘no salt in her diet.’ I plan on using Dogster’s recipe for ground beef and vegetables mixed with a little bit of Dr. Marty Nature Blend because she loves Dr Marty’s food, and it keeps her regular, gives her bright eyes, low weight and energy. She’s been on Dr Marty’s her whole life. I called Dr Marty’s business and spoke with a knowledgeable person who said salt is the last item on the ingredient list, and there is very minimal salt (0.02). The vet said to use canned dog food.“ – Agnes
Quick Info about Katie
Hi Agnes, thank you for sharing those details about Katie. At 12.5 years old, it’s clear you’re deeply committed to making thoughtful choices for her, especially now with her recent diagnosis of an enlarged heart. While no medication was prescribed, managing her sodium intake is indeed crucial for some dog’s heart health, especially if the veterinary cardiologist recommends it.
Katie has done well on Dr. Marty’s food for years, and since it supports her digestion, energy levels, and healthy weight, it’s understandable why you’d want to keep it as part of her routine. However, even if salt is listed last on the ingredient list and the representative mentioned it’s around 0.02, it’s still important to clarify whether that figure represents 0.02% of the total food (as fed) or of the dry matter. Because sodium levels aren’t always published on pet food packaging, I recommend emailing the company directly to request the exact total sodium content (in mg per 100 kcal or as a percentage on a dry matter basis). Once you have that information, bring it back to your veterinarian. This allows them to assess whether Dr. Marty’s food fits within the recommended sodium range for dogs with cardiac changes, which is often less than 100 mg per 100 kcal for a low-sodium diet.
Many veterinarians are most familiar with specific therapeutic diets and may feel hesitant to endorse alternatives outside of those brands, especially without guaranteed nutrient profiles. However, with a bit of extra effort and transparency from the brand, it’s absolutely possible to make well-informed, tailored decisions. Homemade meals such as the beef and vegetable blend you’re planning can be an excellent base, but since she has a medical condition, they must be formulated specially for her particular case by a veterinary nutritionist and approved by her cardiologist first. Then, combining it with a food Katie already loves could help maintain her appetite and overall well-being.
Wishing her good health,
Dr. Paola