Signs It’s Time to Change Your Dog’s Diet.
As a nation of dog lovers, for those who have their very own four-legged friend, we have no doubt the amount of love and compassion you’ve got for them. Ultimately, to support your pooch’s health and wellbeing, you need to make sure you’re giving them the correct diet. While we’re all guilty of giving our dogs the odd treat or two, if you have any concerns about your pooch’s wellbeing, it’s time to take action.
Like with humans, dogs can truly benefit from dietary changes. To help you know what to look out for, here are some tell-tale signs it’s time to change your dog’s diet.
Signs It’s Time to Change Your Dog’s Diet
Digestive Problems
An evident sign your dog’s diet may need a drastic change is if they’re experiencing frequent digestive problems. This may include diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, or excessive gas. While we all know only too well how much dogs can let off a stink, if you find yours is doing this more often than normal, it’s time to take notice. A root cause of digestive problems could be down to their current food not agreeing with them. With that said, why not look into raw dog food instead? ProDog Raw have a raw dog food diet for dogs that comes with an array of health benefits. These include increased energy, healthier skin, and cleaner teeth.
Weight Loss or Gain
Over the years, your dog’s weight is bound to fluctuate. This can happen for all kinds of reasons. Whether they’re going on more walks than normal, or it’s simply part of the aging process, any drastic weight loss or gain needs to be examined. Now may be the time to reassess your dog’s diet. If theirs is either lacking in essential nutrients or too calorie-dense, this can lead to weight fluctuations. Speak to your vet as they can provide advice on the best diet to give your dog that aligns with their ideal weight and body condition.
Dull Coat and Skin Issues
Take a second look at your dog’s coat. Is it shiny or looking a little on the dull side? If the answer is the latter, it’s time to look into changing your pooch’s diet. This is because a coat that appears dry, dull, or lacklustre may signal nutritional deficiencies. Skin irritations, recurrent hot spots, and excessive itching can all lead to dietary issues too. It’s wise to give your dog a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Doing so can help promote a healthier coat and keep your furry friend in good health throughout all seasons.
Food Sensitivities and Allergies
Just like their human counterparts, dogs can develop sensitivities and allergies to particular foods. If you find your dog is starting to scratch, lick their paws, or suffer from frequent ear infections, these could all be down to sensitivities or food allergies. Only a vet will be able to carry out specialist tests to determine allergens. What you may find is they advise a change of diet for your pooch that’s specific to their needs.
Low Energy
For any dog owner, there’s nothing that quite beats taking them on a walk and seeing them thrive. If your once active and lively pooch is now lacking energy and appears lethargic, it’s time to take notice. It can be difficult to see your bouncy best friend no longer being interested in playtime. What may surprise you is their diet could be the cause behind their low energy. Dogs require a balanced combination of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. All of these are key for maintaining optimal energy levels. Should you switch your pooch to a high-quality diet tailored to their energy requirements, prepare to see their vitality restored.
Dental Problems
When your four-legged friend is right in your face panting, you may be quick to push them away because of their breath! While a dog’s breath isn’t exactly known to be pleasant, if you find it’s a foul odour that’s come out of nowhere, this could be a sign of dental problems or an inappropriate diet. Poor-quality food can lead to gum disease and dental decay that cause bad breath. Thankfully, there is a solution! Aside from changing to a dental-friendly diet, you can give your pooch plenty of dental chews that will help look after their gnashers. If you’re not sure how to up your dog’s oral hygiene, it’s wise to speak to your vet. They may recommend that you brush their teeth yourself!
For dog lovers, you’ll want your best friend to lead a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life. For that to happen, a large part of it comes down to what you’re feeding your dog. If you spot any of the signs above, now is the time to reassess their diet and make changes where necessary.
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