Natural Support for Heart Disease in Dogs

"Atlas was given six months to live. More than three years later, he continues to thrive — a reminder that integrative care, thoughtful support, and honoring the whole dog can change the course of chronic heart disease.”

A natural, integrative approach to canine heart disease focuses on reducing inflammation, supporting cardiac function, protecting organs, and nourishing the body with species-appropriate nutrients.

When my dog Atlas was diagnosed with heart disease, the prognosis was devastating — six months to live. Rather than accepting a single-path approach, I chose to walk an integrative road: combining conventional cardiology care with species-appropriate nutrition, medicinal mushrooms, botanicals, homeopathy, and organ support. More than three years later, Atlas’s journey continues to shape how I support dogs living with Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Supportive care should always
complement veterinary diagnosis and monitoring.

Heart disease support is never one-dimensional. An integrative approach looks beyond any single supplement and instead supports the whole dog — from cellular energy and inflammation to organ function, circulation, and overall resilience.

Below, we’ll explore five foundational natural supports, touch on key considerations for both Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), including the role of Hawthorn, and close with Atlas’s journey as a real-life example of how these approaches can work together.

Top 5 Natural Supports for Dogs with Heart Disease

Based on both clinical experience and real-life application:

1. Species-appropriate raw diet (including raw heart) – foundational cardiac nutrition
2. CoQ10 (5 mg per lb body weight) – supports cellular energy in heart muscle
3. Seal Oil Omega-3 – reduces inflammation and supports circulation
4. Medicinal Mushrooms (including Tremella) – supports immune balance, hydration, and connective tissue
5. Hawthorn – cornerstone botanical for heart strength and circulation

 

1. Species-Appropriate Nutrition

A biologically appropriate diet forms the foundation of heart health. Fresh, organic raw foods—particularly raw heart—provide naturally occurring taurine, CoQ10, and essential amino acids that directly support cardiac muscle function.

2. Medicinal Mushrooms

Targeted medicinal mushrooms offer powerful systemic support:

Tremella mushrooms, as found in our Skin Blend, help boost moisture retention and collagen production, supporting connective tissue integrity. This is especially beneficial for dogs on diuretics, which can contribute to dehydration and tissue dryness.

A Medicinal Mushroom Super Immune Blend helps modulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and support overall vitality.

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are essential for reducing inflammation, supporting circulation, and protecting heart tissue.

Seal Oil Omega-3 provides a highly bioavailable source of EPA and DHA, supporting heart, brain, joint, and vascular health.  Seal oil contains the link in the omega-3 chain that all other omega-3 supplements now sold are missing: DPA (docosapentaneonic acid)

4. Antioxidant & Cellular Support

Oxidative stress places additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Targeted antioxidant support may include:

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – critical for cellular energy production within heart muscle.
Suggested dosage: 5 mg per pound of body weight. 

Adored Beast Vital Defense – supports cellular health and provides broad-spectrum antioxidant protection.

5. Organ & Detoxification Support

Dogs with heart disease are often on long-term medications that place added demand on detoxification organs.

Adored Beast Liver Tonic supports liver and kidney function, helping the body process medications more efficiently while maintaining overall organ resilience.

6. Botanical Cardiac Support

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is one of the most respected botanicals for cardiovascular support in both humans and animals. It may be beneficial for dogs with MVD and CHF by: - Supporting cardiac muscle strength and efficiency
- Improving coronary circulation and oxygen delivery to the heart
- Helping regulate blood pressure
- Providing antioxidant protection to heart tissue

Hawthorn is often used as a long-term supportive herb and can be safely combined with conventional heart medications when properly dosed and monitored.

Support Considerations for Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)

Mitral Valve Disease is a progressive condition involving degeneration of the mitral valve, leading to turbulent blood flow and cardiac enlargement over time.

Natural support for dogs with MVD focuses on: 
- Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress to slow tissue degeneration
- Supporting valve and connective tissue integrity, where Tremella mushrooms and
collagen-supportive nutrients may be beneficial
- Optimizing circulation and blood viscosity with omega-3 fatty acids - Supporting cardiac energy production with CoQ10

In early or pre-clinical MVD, nutritional and antioxidant support may help slow progression. As the disease advances, organ support becomes increasingly important alongside conventional medications.

Support Considerations for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Congestive Heart Failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump efficiently, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs or abdomen. Dogs with CHF are commonly prescribed diuretics and other cardiac medications. 

Natural support for dogs with CHF focuses on: 
- Supporting hydration and tissue moisture, particularly important for dogs on diuretics (Tremella mushrooms are especially valuable here)
- Protecting the liver and kidneys, which process long-term medications (Liver Tonic support is critical)
- Reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative damage, easing the workload on the heart 
- Supporting calmness and stress reduction, as stress increases cardiac demand CHF dogs require careful monitoring, individualized dosing, and close collaboration with a veterinarian to ensure both natural and conventional therapies work safely together.

Hawthorn: Practical Use & Dosing Guidance

Hawthorn is commonly used as a long-term supportive herb rather than a short-term intervention. 

General integrative dosing guidance (non-prescriptive):
- Liquid tincture: often divided into 2–3 daily doses
- Used consistently over time for best effect 

Hawthorn is especially well-suited for MVD dogs to support valve efficiency and circulation, and for CHF dogs to support cardiac output and reduce workload on the heart. Dosing should always be individualized and adjusted alongside conventional medications.

Hawthorn: Valve Support vs CHF Support

While Hawthorn is valuable for both conditions, its role differs slightly.

In Mitral Valve Disease (MVD): 
- Supports connective tissue and valve function
- Improves blood flow efficiency through the heart
- Helps reduce oxidative damage to valve structures

In Congestive Heart Failure (CHF):
- Supports myocardial strength and cardiac output
- Helps regulate blood pressure
- Improves circulation without overstimulating the heart

This makes Hawthorn an excellent bridge herb across disease stages.

The Value of Working With a Homeopathic Doctor

Working with a qualified homeopathic veterinarian or homeopathic doctor experienced in animal health can be a powerful part of an integrative heart-care plan. 

Homeopathy focuses on supporting the body’s innate ability to self-regulate and adapt. When used alongside conventional cardiology care, homeopathic remedies may:
- Support overall vitality and resilience
- Help the body respond more efficiently to chronic disease
- Reduce symptom burden and stress on the cardiovascular system
- Allow for lower or more conservative medication dosing in some cases, under veterinary supervision

Homeopathic care is highly individualized and often evolves as the dog’s condition changes, making it particularly valuable in long-term conditions such as MVD and CHF.

An Integrative Case Perspective: Atlas’s Journey

Atlas’s heart disease journey reinforced the importance of individualized, integrative care rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol. Since his diagnosis, Atlas has been supported with a custom homeopathic remedy combination, guided by a homeopathic doctor, alongside conventional medications and targeted natural therapies. This approach has played a meaningful role in supporting his stability and overall well-being. 

At the time of diagnosis, Atlas was given a prognosis of six months to live. More than three years later, he continues to enjoy quality of life, mobility, engagement, and daily joy.

Through combining conventional medications with targeted nutrition, medicinal mushrooms, botanicals like Hawthorn, homeopathic support, organ protection, and careful monitoring, Atlas has maintained stability while keeping medications to a minimum. 

Key lessons from Atlas’s experience include:
- Individualized homeopathic support can enhance resilience in chronic heart disease
- Early nutritional and antioxidant support matters
- Supporting hydration and connective tissue is critical for dogs on diuretics
- Protecting the liver and kidneys allows dogs to stay stable on medications longer
- Emotional well-being and stress reduction are not optional — they directly affect
cardiac workload 

Atlas’s story highlights how thoughtful integration, not replacement of veterinary care, can profoundly support dogs living with MVD and CHF.

 

Disclaimer

This blog is for educational purposes and reflects both scientific evidence and clinical experience. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s medications, diet, or supplement regimen.