4 Recognize and correct dog nutrition mistakes
Sooner or later, mistakes in dog nutrition become noticeable externally. The dog loses weight or puts on a lot of weight, does not have a nice coat or skin problems, possibly suffers from digestive problems. It is important that you first consult a veterinarian for the following symptoms of nutritional errors in the dog – they could also be signs of a disease.
Dogs are not considered very picky when it comes to food compared to cats. Nevertheless, there are some mistakes in dog nutrition, which can burden the health of the four-legged friend sooner or later. How you can recognize the mistakes as early as possible and how you can counteract, reveal the following tips.
- overweight or underweight due to incorrect dog nutrition
Weight fluctuations up or down can be due to mistakes in dog nutrition. If your dog tends to become increasingly overweight, this is due to the fact that he takes in more energy or calories than he consumes. Conversely, a dog loses weight when it consumes less energy than it uses. There are several possible reasons for this. For example, low-quality food that contains too much grain can lead to obesity because your dog has to eat more of it to meet its protein needs and satisfy its hunger. As a result, caloric intake may exceed requirements. However, low-quality dog food can also lead to underweight, as your dog cannot utilize all of the ingredients and simply excretes most of them again.
But even high-quality dog food can lead to overweight or underweight due to too large or too small quantities. Furthermore, mistakes in dog nutrition can occur if the food is not adapted to the dog’s life stage. Puppies that are still growing, for example, need special food so that they do not grow too fast, but still get enough nutrients. Adult dogs, on the other hand, have different needs and senior dogs also need special food, especially if they suffer from old age ailments such as kidney problems.
Caloric intake can also increase excessively if dogs are often given treats or fed leftovers, resulting in obesity. Lack of exercise also often leads to obesity, and underweight can have its cause in too much physical activity that is not adequately compensated with high-quality dog food. Caution. Some dog breeds are more prone to overweight because of their build, small size or because they have a particularly large appetite. It is best to find out about the right dog food for the dog breed of your choice before buying a dog and ask the breeder, animal shelter or veterinarian for advice.
- dull or oily coat
Mistakes in the dog’s diet can also be seen in the dog’s coat. A beautiful coat is not only a matter of proper grooming, but also a matter of proper nutrition and adequate supply of essential nutrients and vitamins. If essential fatty acids or other nutrients are lacking in the food, the coat becomes dull and lackluster. But too much is also possible: if the dog food contains too much fat, the coat becomes oily and feels greasy. If you are unsure whether the dog’s coat looks dull or oily due to malnutrition, take your four-legged friend to the vet. It is possible that your dog is sick.
- skin problems due to wrong dog food.
Does your dog suffer from itching, eczema and redness on the skin? Or is your dog’s skin brittle, dry and sensitive? Errors in dog nutrition can be behind this. For example, a lack of nutrients or an excess of nutrients can lead to skin problems. Food mites are also possible, which can lead to allergies. However, dogs are sometimes allergic to ingredients and additives in the food and get skin problems.
- diarrhea or constipation due to errors in dog nutrition.
If your dog shows digestive problems or any abnormalities in bowel movements, you should have this clarified by a veterinarian. If your four-legged friend is physically healthy overall, the diarrhea or constipation is likely related to errors in the dog’s diet. Excessive amounts of feces, for example, indicate low-quality dog food that your dog cannot digest well and therefore excretes. Diarrhea can be due to food intolerance or poor quality food. An unsuitable dog food can also lead to flatulence or constipation, especially if your dog also drinks too little water.
