6 Low Sodium Dog Foods For Dogs With Heart Disease
Is your furry friend in need of a low sodium diet? Are you also unsure which low sodium dog food is the best pick? Worry not, we have prepared the list of best choices for you.
Sodium is essential for your dog’s health. However, in some cases, your vet will recommend a low sodium diet for your canine family member. For example, if your dog has congestive heart failure, you should restrict sodium from his diet.
Finding a low sodium dog food is no easy task. That’s why we prepared a list of best options out there. Read our review and pick the best one for your pooch.
A Brief Summary of our picks of Low Sodium Dog Food
Since we are reviewing low sodium dog food today, let’s do a little comparison.
Our Top Six Picks are:
Also, we should mention right now, that only the Zignature Whitefish formula is grain-free. Now, let’s dive into the reviews.
Zignature Whitefish Formula Dog Food
Zignature Whitefish Formula is a blend of meats, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and oils. It provides a well-balanced mix of limited ingredients. That means that there are no animal by-products, and the recipe is “meat-first.”
The main protein is the Pacific Whitefish. This protein isn’t that common among dog food formulas, which is a great feature.
The Whitefish is blended with:
Whitefish is an excellent low-sodium ingredient which also has other benefits. Zignature Whitefish Formula contains 0.5% of sodium. What’s more, it also has a high ratio of Omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for treating many canine disorders, including the heart conditions.
Another great feature of this particular blend is that it doesn’t include common canine allergens. Therefore, there’s no chicken or chicken by-products like fat or eggs. Ingredients like corn, soy, wheat, and dairy are also excluded. So, if you have a dog prone to allergies, this might be a good choice of low sodium dog food for your furry friend.
Zignature Whitefish Formula is not puppy-friendly, and you should only feed it to your adult dogs. However, you can give it to your dog no matter their breed. This formula is suitable for small, medium, and large breeds.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
This kibble is dime-sized, and it isn’t that easy to hide pills in it. That’s one of the few complaints of dog owners. Otherwise, people seem to be very happy with this food. As one Amazon customer said, it’s a great anti-allergen, fish-based food, that makes sensitive tummies very satisfied.
Hill's Science Diet for Adult Dogs with Sensitive Stomach & Skin
Hill’s Science Diet Chicken Formula is made with sensitive stomachs and skin in mind. The formula has only 0,31% of sodium. Therefore, it’s very heart-friendly.
The main protein in Hill’s Science formula is chicken. The meat is balanced with:
However, this formula also contains whole wheat, rice, pork fat, and other animal by-products.
It’s appropriate for adult dogs only, preferably of medium and large size.
One of the great features of this formula is that it has antioxidants and vitamins. If you have a dog that has a weaker immune system, then this formula might be the right choice.
Furthermore, this formula is true to its name. Dogs with sensitive skin and easily-upset tummies might benefit from the Hill’s Science blend. What’s more, the food is easy to digest, and a high level of vitamin E makes your dog’s skin and fur shiny and healthy.What We Like
What We Don't Like
If your pooch has skin issues, changing their diet is the cheapest way to try to battle this problem. This blend is explicitly produced for that purpose. Therefore, it might be a good idea to try Hill’s Science Diet Formula for Sensitive Stomachs and Skin.
ROYAL CANIN Canine Early Cardiac Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Canine Early Cardiac Dry formula has all the ingredients needed for a healthy heart. It contains vitamin B that boosts the cardiac health, and the sodium level is around 0,33%. Additionally, this formula contains a high level of Omega-3 acids, which can prevent tissue inflammation.
This formula is made for adult dogs of all breed sizes. However, it is a special diet formula, and you’ll have to get a prescription from your vet for it.
The main protein in this formula is chicken. It also contains:
The kibble is of medium size, and therefore, it might be hard to sneak pills in it.
The Early Cardiac formula might be a good choice for dogs at risk or with cardiac diseases. In order to maintain cardiac health, this formula has the supplements arginine, carnitine, and taurine.What We Like
What We Don't Like
This formula has a relatively high rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Users seem to be satisfied with it. One user stated that the change in health is very noticeable and that their finicky dogs respond well to it.
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food, Lamb & Barley
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food is made for adult dogs, over one year of age. This formula is suitable for small, medium, and large breeds.
The Wellness formula has high levels of protein. The main protein is lamb. It also contains vast amounts of nutritional ingredients and supplements like green tea extract which lowers the risk for multiple diseases, including cancer.
One of the great features of this food is that it is a blend of lamb, lamb meal, and fish meal. It also contains whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and oils. All those ingredients help to maintain the health of your dog’s skin and fur, as well as digestion and immune system.
Furthermore, the Wellness formula also contains Chondroitin Sulfate, which is excellent for joint health. That is one of the reasons many owners are giving this product great praise on Amazon.What We Like
What We Don't Like
Hill's Science Diet Dy Dog Food for Large Breeds
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Food is specially designed for adult dogs of large and giant breeds. Big dogs usually have joint problems because of their massive frames. This formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin. Those ingredients keep the joints and cartilage healthy and mobile.
This formula is also very heart-friendly, as it only contains 0,30% sodium. Big dogs have higher chances of heart disease. Therefore, a low sodium level diet is a must.
The main protein in this formula is chicken. Therefore, if your dog is prone to allergies, this might not be the best choice for you. One of the benefits of this formula are the high levels of antioxidants and vitamins B, C and also E. Vitamin E helps keep your dog’s fur shiny and their skin healthy.
However, this formula contains grains. More specifically, it contains corn. That can fall heavy on the digestive system of some dogs.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Overall, this formula seems like a good choice for large breeds. Amazon users tend to praise it, and it has a rating of 4.5 stars. The protection of joints and cartilage seems to be the most significant selling point.
Greenies Pill Pocket Soft Dog Treats - Chicken
Greenies Pill Pocket Soft Dog Treats are ideal for sneaking pills in them. The treats are soft, so you can easily push a tablet inside. They are also low in calories, fats, and have low sodium levels. You can give them to your adult dogs, no matter what size they are.
The main protein is the rehydrated chicken, which isn’t the best protein source. Moreover, these aren’t the most natural low sodium dog food out there due to artificial flavoring and preservatives that they contain.
However, they serve their purpose. The Greenies are capsule-sized, and a great way to trick your dogs into taking their medication.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Although this isn’t dog food, more of a treat, it seems Greenies Pill Pockets can still significantly contribute to the overall health of your dog. Amazon users rate them at 4.6 out of 5 stars. They might be the perfect way to trick your dog into taking that dreaded pill easily.
The Value of Low Sodium Dog Food
How to choose the best Low Sodium Dog Food?
If your furry friend has congestive heart failure, kidney disease, hypernatremia, or heart disease, then they need a low sodium diet. However, choosing the right low sodium dog food isn’t an easy task. It requires research.
Firstly, you should consult your vet. Your pup might have other problems, such as allergies, that you need to consider when choosing the type and brand of food. Furthermore, don’t forget that taking in too little sodium can be as harmful as excessive amounts.
What are the benefits of low sodium dog food?
The primary benefit is reducing risk and treating heart diseases. Furthermore, a low-sodium diet will regulate the water intake. If your dog’s food is too salty, they will drink a lot of water. That can cause problems with kidneys and also damage the circulation system.
Moreover, low levels of sodium will keep your dog better hydrated.
Should all dogs have a low sodium diet?
Some people hear that sodium is bad for their furry friends and cut it out of their diets entirely. However, that’s the wrong thing to do. Sodium is good for your pooch’s health. What’s more, a non-prescribed low-sodium diet can damage the health of your dog. Furthermore, sodium is vital for proper cell function and hydration. Therefore, by cutting it out of your dog’s diet, you are doing them a disservice.
And the winner is…
In our humble opinion, the Zignature Whitefish Formula takes the coveted number one spot of the low sodium dog food competition.
It’s the only choice on our list that doesn’t include common allergens. It is also grain-free. Therefore, it seems like a good choice even for the most sensitive and allergy-prone dogs. Not to mention, the main protein is the Whitefish, a healthy choice that has a lot of benefits.
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