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Top 5 Cardiac Prescription Diets in Canada for 2025: Vet-Recommended Dog Foods to Protect Your Dog's Heart + How to Choose

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Cardiac therapeutic dog foods are prescription diets formulated to support dogs with heart disease through controlled sodium, tailored electrolyte profiles, and targeted nutrients such as taurine and omega-3 fatty acids. These diets aim to reduce the risk of fluid retention, support cardiac function, and complement veterinary medical therapy while being palatable and practical for home feeding. In Canada, consumer preferences focus on veterinary endorsement, clear clinical rationale, product availability across provinces, and formulations suited to common cardiac conditions seen in companion animals. Owners also prioritize diets that integrate cardiac-support nutrients without compromising renal function, offer reliable manufacturing standards, and provide transparent feeding guidelines that fit within ongoing veterinary monitoring.

Quick Menu

1. Best Long-term Cardiac Formula

2. Best for Electrolyte & Fluid Management

3. Best for Enriched Cardiac Nutrients

4. Best for CKD-Cardiac Co-management

5. Best for Senior Cardiac & Metabolic Care

1
BEST LONG-TERM CARDIAC FORMULA

Hill's Prescription Diet h/d Heart Care

Hill's Prescription Diet h/d Heart Care

Hill's h/d Heart Care is a long-standing prescription diet formulated to support dogs with heart disease through sodium restriction, targeted taurine and L‑carnitine supplementation, and omega‑3 fatty acids to support cardiac function. It holds a market leader position because of extensive clinical use, high palatability and broad veterinary distribution, which often makes it financially accessible through clinics compared with smaller specialty brands; compared with Royal Canin and Purina it is distinguished by its long clinical track record and clinic-level availability.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Heart support

  • Low sodium

  • Heart support

  • Low sodium

Review Summary

88%

"Most owners and veterinarians report that Hill's Prescription Diet h/d helps manage cardiac symptoms and is generally well accepted by dogs; common complaints are the high cost and prescription-only purchase requirement."

  • Bacon-approved grin

  • Clinically formulated to support heart function and reduce cardiac workload

  • Bacon-approved grin

  • Clinically formulated to support heart function and reduce cardiac workload

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Hill's h/d Heart Care is a long-standing prescription diet formulated to support dogs with heart disease through sodium restriction, targeted taurine and L‑carnitine supplementation, and omega‑3 fatty acids to support cardiac function. It holds a market leader position because of extensive clinical use, high palatability and broad veterinary distribution, which often makes it financially accessible through clinics compared with smaller specialty brands; compared with Royal Canin and Purina it is distinguished by its long clinical track record and clinic-level availability.

  • Heart support

  • Low sodium

  • Bacon-approved grin

  • Clinically formulated to support heart function and reduce cardiac workload

  • Controlled sodium levels to help manage fluid retention in cardiac patients

  • Heart support

  • Low sodium

  • Bacon-approved grin

  • Clinically formulated to support heart function and reduce cardiac workload

  • Controlled sodium levels to help manage fluid retention in cardiac patients

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$60-200 CAD

2
BEST FOR ELECTROLYTE & FLUID MANAGEMENT

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Cardiac EC 26

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Cardiac EC 26

Royal Canin Cardiac EC 26 is a veterinary prescription diet designed for chronic cardiac insufficiency, emphasizing controlled sodium, tailored energy density to maintain body condition, and precise nutrient ratios to limit fluid retention. Its technical strength is a highly standardized, science-driven formulation and consistent manufacturing backed by a global supply chain, offering veterinarians a precise alternative to Hill's h/d while often sitting at comparable price points in veterinary channels.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Cardiac balance

  • Controlled sodium

  • Cardiac balance

  • Controlled sodium

Review Summary

85%

"Users praise Royal Canin Cardiac EC 26 for consistent formulation, good palatability, and measurable clinical benefit under veterinary supervision; downsides cited are price and limited retail availability."

  • Crunchy kibble charm

  • Targeted nutrient profile to support cardiac function and hemodynamics

  • Crunchy kibble charm

  • Targeted nutrient profile to support cardiac function and hemodynamics

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Royal Canin Cardiac EC 26 is a veterinary prescription diet designed for chronic cardiac insufficiency, emphasizing controlled sodium, tailored energy density to maintain body condition, and precise nutrient ratios to limit fluid retention. Its technical strength is a highly standardized, science-driven formulation and consistent manufacturing backed by a global supply chain, offering veterinarians a precise alternative to Hill's h/d while often sitting at comparable price points in veterinary channels.

  • Cardiac balance

  • Controlled sodium

  • Crunchy kibble charm

  • Targeted nutrient profile to support cardiac function and hemodynamics

  • Low sodium and controlled phosphorus to assist fluid and electrolyte balance

  • Cardiac balance

  • Controlled sodium

  • Crunchy kibble charm

  • Targeted nutrient profile to support cardiac function and hemodynamics

  • Low sodium and controlled phosphorus to assist fluid and electrolyte balance

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$80-220 CAD

3
BEST FOR ENRICHED CARDIAC NUTRIENTS

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare focuses on cardiac support with controlled sodium, enhanced L‑carnitine and taurine, and omega‑3 fatty acids to support myocardial health and circulation. As part of a large petfood network it typically provides a cost‑effective option with broad availability and supply reliability, making it attractive financially to clinics and owners seeking a research‑based formula comparable to Hill's but often at a lower per‑bag cost.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Cardiac support

  • Omega-3 boost

  • Cardiac support

  • Omega-3 boost

Review Summary

86%

"Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare is frequently noted for good taste, perceived clinical support for cardiac patients, and relative value, though some owners report variable results depending on disease severity."

  • Palate-pleasing zing

  • Fortified with L‑carnitine and taurine to support heart muscle performance

  • Palate-pleasing zing

  • Fortified with L‑carnitine and taurine to support heart muscle performance

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare focuses on cardiac support with controlled sodium, enhanced L‑carnitine and taurine, and omega‑3 fatty acids to support myocardial health and circulation. As part of a large petfood network it typically provides a cost‑effective option with broad availability and supply reliability, making it attractive financially to clinics and owners seeking a research‑based formula comparable to Hill's but often at a lower per‑bag cost.

  • Cardiac support

  • Omega-3 boost

  • Palate-pleasing zing

  • Fortified with L‑carnitine and taurine to support heart muscle performance

  • Reduced sodium combined with omega‑3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health

  • Cardiac support

  • Omega-3 boost

  • Palate-pleasing zing

  • Fortified with L‑carnitine and taurine to support heart muscle performance

  • Reduced sodium combined with omega‑3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health

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$70-180 CAD

4
BEST FOR CKD-CARDIAC CO-MANAGEMENT

Rayne Clinical Nutrition Restrict-CKD/Heart

Rayne Clinical Nutrition Restrict-CKD/Heart

Rayne Restrict-CKD/Heart is a niche prescription diet formulated for dogs with concurrent cardiac disease and chronic kidney disease, combining low sodium with moderated phosphorus and tailored protein levels to address both conditions. Its technical advantage is specialization for complex comorbid cases—offering clinicians a focused formulation not provided by mainstream cardiac diets—although as a smaller company it may be less widely stocked and sometimes higher in unit cost than mass‑market veterinary diets.

3.9
★★★☆☆
  • Low sodium/phosphate

  • Renal-heart blend

  • Low sodium/phosphate

  • Renal-heart blend

Review Summary

78%

"Clinicians value Rayne Clinical Nutrition Restrict-CKD/Heart for its targeted nutrient profile and sodium control, but pet owners report mixed palatability and difficulty sourcing it long-term."

  • Clinic-grade gourmet

  • Prescription formula restricting phosphorus and sodium for concurrent kidney and heart disease

  • Clinic-grade gourmet

  • Prescription formula restricting phosphorus and sodium for concurrent kidney and heart disease

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Rayne Restrict-CKD/Heart is a niche prescription diet formulated for dogs with concurrent cardiac disease and chronic kidney disease, combining low sodium with moderated phosphorus and tailored protein levels to address both conditions. Its technical advantage is specialization for complex comorbid cases—offering clinicians a focused formulation not provided by mainstream cardiac diets—although as a smaller company it may be less widely stocked and sometimes higher in unit cost than mass‑market veterinary diets.

  • Low sodium/phosphate

  • Renal-heart blend

  • Clinic-grade gourmet

  • Prescription formula restricting phosphorus and sodium for concurrent kidney and heart disease

  • Lower protein and tailored electrolyte profile to reduce renal and cardiac strain

  • Low sodium/phosphate

  • Renal-heart blend

  • Clinic-grade gourmet

  • Prescription formula restricting phosphorus and sodium for concurrent kidney and heart disease

  • Lower protein and tailored electrolyte profile to reduce renal and cardiac strain

Order Now

$100-250 CAD

5
BEST FOR SENIOR CARDIAC & METABOLIC CARE

Hill's Prescription Diet g/d Aging Care

Hill's Prescription Diet g/d Aging Care

Hill's g/d Aging Care is an aging‑focused prescription diet that helps manage weight and metabolic changes in geriatric dogs while maintaining moderate sodium levels, making it useful when cardiac concerns overlap with age‑related weight or metabolic issues. It is often chosen as an accessible, value‑oriented option for older dogs needing weight control and moderate cardiac support, but it is less explicitly cardiac‑targeted than h/d or Cardiac EC 26 and therefore best used when multi‑morbidity and weight management are priorities.

4.2
★★★★☆
  • Weight management

  • Antioxidant blend

  • Weight management

  • Antioxidant blend

Review Summary

82%

"Hill's Prescription Diet g/d (Aging Care) is commonly reported to help senior dogs with weight and age-related issues and is generally well accepted, though reviewers note the expense and prescription restriction."

  • Senior-friendly crunch

  • Formulated for aging dogs with nutrients that support heart and metabolic health

  • Senior-friendly crunch

  • Formulated for aging dogs with nutrients that support heart and metabolic health

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Hill's g/d Aging Care is an aging‑focused prescription diet that helps manage weight and metabolic changes in geriatric dogs while maintaining moderate sodium levels, making it useful when cardiac concerns overlap with age‑related weight or metabolic issues. It is often chosen as an accessible, value‑oriented option for older dogs needing weight control and moderate cardiac support, but it is less explicitly cardiac‑targeted than h/d or Cardiac EC 26 and therefore best used when multi‑morbidity and weight management are priorities.

  • Weight management

  • Antioxidant blend

  • Senior-friendly crunch

  • Formulated for aging dogs with nutrients that support heart and metabolic health

  • Controlled sodium and adjusted calorie density to manage weight and cardiac workload

  • Weight management

  • Antioxidant blend

  • Senior-friendly crunch

  • Formulated for aging dogs with nutrients that support heart and metabolic health

  • Controlled sodium and adjusted calorie density to manage weight and cardiac workload

Order Now

$60-160 CAD

What the Research Says About Cardiac Prescription Diets

Evidence from veterinary cardiology and nutrition research supports targeted dietary strategies for many dogs with heart disease. Studies and consensus guidance emphasize the careful management of sodium and fluid balance, the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for anti-inflammatory and antiarrhythmic effects, and the role of supplemental nutrients such as taurine or L-carnitine in specific deficiency-related cardiomyopathies. Contemporary recommendations also stress individualized plans — balancing cardiac needs with kidney function, life stage, and concurrent medications — and regular veterinary follow-up to adjust diet and electrolytes as needed.

Sodium restriction: Controlled dietary sodium can help reduce fluid retention and exercise intolerance in dogs with congestive heart failure, but the degree of restriction should be tailored by a veterinarian.

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA): Clinical and experimental data indicate omega-3s support cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and may improve myocardial function and arrhythmia risk in some cases.

Taurine and L-carnitine: Deficiencies in taurine or carnitine have been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy in subsets of dogs; supplementation is beneficial when deficiency or diet-related risk is identified.

Electrolyte and renal balance: Cardiac diets often adjust potassium and other electrolytes; monitoring is important because heart disease and its treatments can affect kidney function and electrolyte status.

Guidelines and clinical evidence: Veterinary cardiology consensus documents and peer-reviewed clinical studies support using prescription cardiac diets as part of a broader, vet-managed treatment plan rather than a stand-alone cure.

In Canada, prescription cardiac diets are an important part of veterinary care for dogs with heart disease. The five primary options covered here—Hill's Prescription Diet h/d Heart Care, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Cardiac EC 26, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare, Rayne Clinical Nutrition Restrict-CKD/Heart, and Hill's Prescription Diet g/d Aging Care—each offer different formulations focused on sodium control, electrolyte balance, and supportive nutrients like omega-3s and taurine. Many Canadian veterinarians and owners find Hill's Prescription Diet h/d Heart Care to be the most consistently recommended choice on this list because of its long track record, clinical positioning, and broad availability, though the optimal diet always depends on your dog's specific diagnosis and concurrent conditions. I hope you found what you were looking for; use the site search to refine by brand, ingredient focus, or your dog’s condition if you want to narrow or expand results.

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