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The purpose of a special heart diet for your pet is the same as it is with human patients - to provide foods containing only very small amounts of sodium (salt). Sodium tends to make the body retain water, and this can place additional strain on the already weakened heart. Most commercial dog foods are well balanced and nutritious for normal dogs, but can contain too much sodium for the heart patient. Since the low-sodium diet can extend your pet's lifetime and decrease the amounts of heart medication needed, it is advantageous to feed your pet accordingly.
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO FEED A PET WITH HEART PROBLEMS:
Use a specially prepared prescription diet - MODIFIED (heart diet) prepared by Select Care pet foods. Formulate a low-sodium diet "from scratch" at home.
Occasionally, dogs will not eat anything other than the foods that they are used to. Try to encourage him to try the new diet. You can mix small amounts of his regular diet with the heart diet - this is not perfect, but it does help somewhat.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
Use NO salt in food or cooking. Milk products are generally high in sodium. Canned, frozen and prepared foods are often high in sodium. Fresh meats are usually low in sodium. All shellfish and prepared foods are usually high in sodium. The maximum sodium intake per pound of body weight should be 6 mg. daily. An average daily intake of calories may be 30 to 40 calories per pound of body weight.
FOODS NOT ALLOWABLE (HIGH IN SALT):
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1
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Cereals
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all (except puffed wheat), all breads.
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2
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Snacks
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milk, sherbet, ice cream, puddings, gelatin dessert, salted crackers, baking soda or powder products.
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3
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Meat, Fish, Poultry
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luncheon meats, frankfurters, dried beef, sausage, sweetbreads, brains, kidney. Also, clams, crab scallops, lobster, fish fillets, cured meats such as ham, bacon, smoked pork, or corned beef.
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4
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Cheese and Milk
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all, except unsalted cottage cheese or low-sodium cheddar.
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5
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Fats
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salted butter or margarine. Fat from salted meats.
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6
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Vegetables
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fresh artichokes, beets, carrots, celery kale, spinach, chard, and turnips. All canned types, unless marked "salt free".
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7
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Seasoning
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all mixed salts.
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8
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Condiments
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catsup, chili sauce, soy sauce, mustard, horseradish or steak sauce
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9
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Miscellaneous
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all salted nuts, potato chips, pretzels, olives, relish, pickles, molasses, brown sugar, peanut butter, candy, pudding, and glazed fruits.
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The mainstays of a good low sodium diet may be fresh beef, pork or chicken, along with a bland macaroni and/or low-salt vegetables. A vitamin - mineral supplement is helpful. DO NOT GIVE COMMERCIAL "DOGGIE SNACKS".
FOOD GROUPS - Sodium and Caloric content
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Food Group
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Amount
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Sodium (mg)
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Calories
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Breads and Cereals
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1/2 cup
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1 - 10
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360
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1 cup
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1 - 10
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465
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1 oz
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1 - 10
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100
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1 cup
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1 - 10
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355
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1 slice
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200
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60
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Margarine and Oil
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1 tsp
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0 - 1
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50
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1 tbsp
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0 - 1
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120
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1 tbsp
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60 - 90
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110
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Products
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1 cup
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122
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160
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1 cup
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122
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90
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1 1/2 oz
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100 - 200
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160
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3 oz
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200 - 300
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90
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1 oz
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200 - 300
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105
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1 tsp
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50
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50
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Meats, Poultry and Fish
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3 1/2 oz
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50
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200
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3 1/2 oz
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62
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275
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3 1/2 oz
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84
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175
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3 1/2 oz
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67
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300
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3 1/2 oz
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64
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180
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3 1/2 oz
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86
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180
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3 1/2 oz
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82
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230
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3 1/2 oz
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98
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230
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1
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70
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80
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2 slices
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385
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95
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3 oz
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940
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225
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1
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560
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125
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Vegetables (Fresh / Dietetic Canned)
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1/2 cup
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5
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20
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1/2 cup
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5
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15
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1/2 cup
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5
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55
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1/2 cup
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5
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10
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1
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5
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30
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1/4 head
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5
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15
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Fruits
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MOST ARE LOW IN SODIUM
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Desserts
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1/2 cup
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15 - 25
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120
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1/2 cup
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60 -85
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50 - 80
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1/2 cup
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60 - 85
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200
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1/2 cup
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100 - 200
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175
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Good Low Sodium seasonings --- Adolf's Salt Substitute, Honey, Garlic powder.
Good Low Sodium snack: --------Nabisco shredded wheat, Quaker Oats puffed rice,
Matzo(unsalted) Peanuts (unsalted, raw or roasted),
Almonds (unsalted), Popcorn (unsalted), Jellies & Jams
(no preservatives), Honey, Unsalted butter.
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