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8 Dog Nutritional Disorders

overhead view of beagle laying on hard wood floor with empty metal food bowl

It’s important to take into account the healthy diet of the dog because as in
people, nutrition is the key to avoid many diseases and associated problems.

Poor nutrition can lead the animal to develop certain pathologies or dog nutritional disorders.

Dog Nutritional Disorders

Important! If your dog is displaying any of the following disorders or symptoms be sure to consult your veterinarian. All of these symptoms can have multiple causes and need to be treated.

Allergies

golden retriever outside in grass scratching

Some dogs develop food allergies to certain ingredients.

In cases of allergies, the food to be given will be specific and hypoallergenic.
Animals with this type of problem will have to maintain this food throughout their lives, at the risk of having allergic reactions again.

Some allergy symptoms include:

●Itching (itching);
●Erythema (redness of the skin);
●Diarrhea;
●Vomiting;
●Hair loss.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, you should consult your
veterinarian to be diagnosed and treated, starting by changing the food as soon as possible.

Also, make sure to give your veterinarian a list of table food you are feeding your dog. Certain ingredients like chocolate or mustard aren’t always good for dogs. There are also surprising ingredients like grapes and onions that can also be toxic to dogs.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a sign of several diseases, so if your dog has this symptom, it should be evaluated by a vet to understand the cause.

However, when diarrhea is caused by poor diet, it is normally related to excess protein or fat. Also, if the food is poor quality, the animal may develop diarrhea.

When sudden changes in food are made or new foods are introduced, the dog may also have diarrhea

Obesity

Overweight dog sitting on tile floor

Obesity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, excessive food or food with
many carbohydrates. Thus, the feed must be suitable for the animal in question, taking into account its age, physical activity, and metabolism, so that the animal does not eat too much food, and has little activity.

Heart problems

Heart problems will not be a direct consequence of malnutrition. However,
obesity due to overfeeding or inappropriate food can cause heart disorders.

Anemia

An inadequate diet, that is poor in vitamins and nutrients can cause various disorders in the body due to deficiency, such as anemia.

Diabetes

dog on exam table being examined by vet

Obesity due to overeating can predispose the animal to the onset of metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

Inflammation of the esophagus

This can happen due to the ingestion of bones. You should never allow your dog to eat bones or meat without first making sure that the food has no bones.

Bones can break and get stuck in the esophagus causing serious inflammation.

They can also, when broken, become sharp and cause damage to the entire
digestive system.

Gastritis

Gastritis can be caused by poor quality food, inappropriate food such as junk or rotten or poorly preserved food.

How to Prevent Dog Nutritional Disorders

Jack Russell Terrier on hind legs begging for food bowl

One of the best ways to keep your dog from having problems with nutrition is to feed them a high quality food. You can opt for a commercial food or make a homemade meal like this chicken dinner for adult dogs and puppies.

If you do go the home cooked route, always check with a vet to make sure your dog is getting the proper nutrients. They will often recommend a quality supplement along with the home cooking.

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