When your dog or cat visits the veterinarian, the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the heart.

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.

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.