Emotions

This Valentine’s Day, while hearts and love are in the air, let’s talk about the one who holds your heart year-round—your dog. From wagging tails to cuddly moments, your pup shows unconditional love every day. But did you know that what’s in their bowl could affect not just their physical heart but also their emotional well-being?

The food you feed your dog plays a vital role in keeping their heart strong and their mood balanced. Nutrient-rich meals can help prevent heart disease, reduce stress, and even boost those happy, tail-wagging vibes. So, as we celebrate love this season, let’s show our dogs some love through their diet.

Here are five ways your dog’s food can impact their heart health and emotions—and simple tips to keep their hearts as full as yours!

Why a Fresh, Balanced Diet is Key to Your Dog’s Health

A balanced diet for your dog isn’t just about filling their bowl—it’s about nourishing their entire being, physically and emotionally. At its core, a balanced diet provides the right proportions of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to meet your dog’s biological needs while also impacting their mood, energy levels, and emotional well-being.

Proteins support muscle repair and maintain heart and organ function, while healthy fats provide sustained energy and promote a shiny coat and healthy skin. Carbohydrates fuel your dog’s day, supporting proper digestion and even playing a role in producing mood-enhancing hormones like serotonin. Essential vitamins and minerals are vital for immune health, strong bones, and cellular repair.

Emotionally, a well-nourished dog feels more energetic and alert, with a balanced mood that reduces stress and anxiety. Nutrient deficiencies, on the other hand, can lead to lethargy, irritability, or even behavioral changes.

What Diet is Truly Balanced for Your Dog?

When it comes to delivering a balanced, fresh diet, Volhard’s AM/PM diet and Natural Diet Foundation 2 (NDF2) set the gold standard. Our expertly crafted diets make it simple to provide your dog with the nutrition they need for both physical and emotional vitality.

The Volhard AM/PM diet separates carbohydrate and protein digestion across two meals, supporting better nutrient absorption and gut health. The AM Porridge is a nutrient-dense breakfast made with grains, eggs, and vitamins, promoting energy, digestion, and thyroid function. The PM Crumble, served with raw or cooked muscle meat, focuses on protein for heart, muscle, and organ health, complemented by fruits, oils, and herbs for overall balance.

The NDF2 diet is a customizable option that allows you to add your own protein, making rotation easy while providing essential nutrients for the heart, liver, kidneys, and digestive system. With preservative-free, freeze-dried organ meats, vegetables, grains, and supportive herbs, this diet delivers freshness and flexibility tailored to your dog’s needs. 

1. High-Quality Proteins Support a Strong Heart and a Happy Mood

Proteins are the cornerstone of your dog’s diet. 

 

High-quality proteins like turkey, pork, and beef help build and repair muscle tissue, including the heart muscle, ensuring optimal cardiovascular function. Organic, grass-fed, or pasture-raised meats are particularly beneficial, offering essential nutrients without harmful additives. 

 

Beyond physical health, protein quality impacts your dog’s emotional well-being. 

 

Proteins are rich in amino acids, the building blocks for neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and behavior. They also provide the nutrients needed to keep your dog emotionally balanced, reducing stress, anxiety, and irritability.

2. Taurine & L-Carnitine: The Building Blocks for Heart Health and Energy

Taurine and L-carnitine are essential amino acids for your dog’s cardiovascular and emotional health. 

Taurine plays a key role in maintaining the strength of heart muscle cells and regulating heart rhythms, helping to prevent conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). L-carnitine supports energy production within heart cells, ensuring efficient blood circulation and sustained activity.

These amino acids also contribute to emotional well-being by fueling energy levels and preventing fatigue, which can lead to lethargy or mood changes. 

Found naturally in meats like beef, turkey, and chicken, taurine and L-carnitine are abundant in diets like Volhard’s PM Crumble and NDF2!

3. Antioxidants for a Healthier Heart and a Calmer Mind

Antioxidants are the body’s natural defense against free radicals. 

Ingredients such as blueberries, spinach, and carrots are rich in antioxidants, helping to protect heart cells, improve blood circulation, and reduce inflammation. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants support the longevity of heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in dogs.

Adding antioxidant-rich foods to your dog’s diet also promotes a calmer, more balanced mood. Blueberries, packed with anthocyanins, help repair oxidative damage while supporting brain function and emotional stability. 

Leafy greens like spinach pack lutein and beta-carotene, which reduce inflammation and support mental clarity. Carrots provide beta-carotene for improved cellular health, making them a heart- and mood-friendly snack.

4. Omega-3s: Protecting Your Dog’s Heart and Boosting Their Happiness

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for your dog’s cardiovascular health and emotional stability. These healthy fats, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), help reduce inflammation in blood vessels, improve circulation, and support heart rhythm. 

 

Beyond their physical benefits, Omega-3s also play a critical role in brain function, reducing stress and anxiety by supporting the production of calming neurotransmitters. Dogs receiving adequate Omega-3s exhibit more stable moods and reduced signs of stress, enhancing their overall well-being. 

 

High-quality sources of Omega-3s include fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as plant-based options like flaxseed and chia seeds. For a convenient and concentrated solution, supplements like krill oil are an excellent choice, offering high bioavailability and rich nutrient content. 

5. Weight Management: A Key to Heart Health and Emotional Balance

Excess weight increases the strain on the heart, leading to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and reduced stamina. 

 

On the emotional side, obesity can limit mobility, reduce playfulness, and contribute to feelings of frustration or lethargy in your dog. 

 

Maintaining an optimal weight ensures they stay active, happy, and emotionally engaged.

Help Your Dog’s Heart and Happiness Thrive With Volhard Dog Nutrition!

Your dog’s heart and emotional well-being are deeply connected to what’s in their bowl. With Volhard’s diets, balancing your dog’s nutrition has never been simpler—or more effective. 

 

For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, contact us and check out our blog!

 

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert canine nutrition coaches offer online consultations to help more dog parents discover why and how to feed their dogs the healthiest foods!

 

Speaking to a Volhard canine nutrition coach will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind.

 

If you want to contact one of our Volhard canine nutrition coaches, don't hesitate to access our consultation page! 

References

1. Freeman, Lisa M., et al. “Nutritional alterations and the effect of fish oil supplementation in dogs with heart failure.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, vol. 12, no. 6, Nov. 1998, pp. 440–448, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1998.tb02148.x. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
   
   

2. Oyama, Mark A., et al. “Effect of a specially formulated diet on progression of heart enlargement in dogs with subclinical degenerative mitral valve disease.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, vol. 37, no. 4, July 2023, pp. 1323–1330, https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16796. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
   
   

3. Sagols, Emmanuelle, and Nathalie Priymenko. “Oxidative stress in dog with heart failure: The role of dietary fatty acids and antioxidants.” Veterinary Medicine International, vol. 2011, 2011, pp. 1–5, https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/180206. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
    

4. Travain, Tiziano, et al. “How good is this food? A study on dogs’ emotional responses to a potentially pleasant event using infrared thermography.” Physiology & Behavior, vol. 159, May 2016, pp. 80–87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.03.019. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.