Did you know that heart-healthy lifestyle tips for humans apply to pets, too? In light of American Heart Month, we’ve compiled a list of things you and your furry friend can do together to keep your tickers in top shape.

Recently, NBC did a report that grain-free foods are causing a type of potentially deadly heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The veterinarian they interviewed specifically said dogs need a grain-based dog food.

As many of you may have heard or seen on social media recently, the FDA put out a warning advising dog owners that there appears to be a link between grain-free, exotic ingredient or boutique diets and a dangerous heart condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Given how many people feed their dogs these foods, this has the potential to be a VERY big issue!

In veterinary medicine, we have the ability to treat a myriad of conditions—from sensitive stomachs to skin issues and everything in between—with the help of balanced, therapeutic diets. But what happens when what we feed actually causes health problems for our pets? An alarming trend is causing veterinary professionals to take a closer look at the link between popular pet diets and heart disease.

The heart could easily be considered the most important organ in a dog's body. It pumps nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. When it isn't working well, it affects everything else, including stamina and breathing for starters.