Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: Dogs with heart disease should avoid high-sodium foods, such as deli meats, bacon, ham, cheese, chips, pizza, canned soups, and many commercial treats and rawhides, especially once they’re on heart medication. Extra salt can make the body hold fluid. Avoid unapproved supplements, and discuss grain-free and legume-rich diets with your vet given the FDA’s investigation into diet-associated DCM.
Foods to avoid or limit
- Deli meats, ham, bacon, hot dogs, sausage
- Cheese
- Chips, crackers, pretzels, popcorn
- Canned soups, gravy, and broth (unless low-sodium)
- Pizza and fast food
- Pickled or brined foods
- Many jerky treats and rawhides, which can be high in sodium
- Peanut butter with added salt, and anything with xylitol
Also be careful with
- Pill pockets and cheese for giving medication: count them, and ask your vet about lower-sodium options
- Supplements: some interact with heart medications
- Boutique, grain-free, or legume-heavy diets: discuss with your vet
Safer treats
- Carrots, green beans, cucumber
- Apple slices (no seeds), blueberries
- Low-sodium commercial treats your vet approves
More: best diet for heart disease.
Sources
- US FDA: Investigation into potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy
- Freeman LM, et al. Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know? JAVMA. 2018
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.