Every process in a dog's body has to work well in order for them to stay healthy. That includes the obvious ones like eating, drinking, and sleeping, but also things like digestion.
Dog's bodies must be able to efficiently absorb nutrients from food and safely remove waste. Digestion is an essential part of life, and a healthy digestive system is key to overall health. When something goes wrong with your dog's digestive system, it can have effects on many other parts of your dog's wellbeing.
How can you tell if something is amiss? Your dog may have digestive problems if he displays any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Loose
stool
- Whimpering
during eating (indicating mouth or stomach pains)
- Reluctance
to eat
- Lethargy
- Flatulence
If your dog experiences any combination of these issues for longer than 24 hours (especially the top 5), I urge you to visit your vet as soon as possible. Poor digestion is often a temporary condition but in some cases it can be a sign of a more serious health problem like kidney disease, food allergies, stomach ulcers, or even cancer.
With some careful observation your vet can help you determine what is causing your dog's digestive problems. Not all stomach upset is the result of a major issue; sometimes it's caused by simple stress (or a snack from the trash can). If there is no underlying health issue, keep an eye on your dog. How much and how often does he eat? Does he gobble his food down or take his time with it? Eating too quickly and too much can lead to a wide variety of problems. You may need to make some changes in your dog's feeding schedule and diet to help alleviate them.
One recommendation I have is to feed your dog less food more frequently. If your dog gets one large serving of food each day, try splitting that up. Feed your dog smaller amounts of food two or three times a day instead. Don't give him too much at a time and watch for gulping or choking due to eating too quickly. At the same time, make sure you're not underfeeding him too! Most dog foods have serving size suggestions on the back based on your dog's weight. If you're not sure how much food your dog needs, ask your vet - that's what we're here for!
Some digestive issues are caused by how your dog's body processes food. If for example their intestines do not absorb nutrients properly, you might need to give them a nutritional supplement. If they suffer from constipation you might want to add fiber to your dog's diet in the form of fruits, vegetables, rice, oatmeal, and a few others. Some issues are alleviated by the addition of yogurt with active cultures that helps balance out beneficial stomach bacteria. But remember, NEVER change your dog's diet overnight, and ALWAYS check with your vet before adding or removing an ingredient.
Take care when giving your dog any supplements, and always follow the instructions on the medicine or given to you by your vet. And of course, never give your dog human medicine!
Finally, your dog's issues might be caused by a substandard diet. In this case one of the best things you can do for your dog is to change to a higher-quality food. Choose a meat-based dog food with natural ingredients. For dogs with digestive problems and food sensitivities, Nutro is a great choice.
Nutro Natural Choice dog food uses all-natural ingredients in a diet formulated to help your dog stay healthy. Even better, Nutro guarantees improved digestion to help your dog live a long, healthy life. Whole grains and real meat help regulate your dog's digestive system and dogs love the great taste.
A healthy dog is a happy dog! Poor digestion is more than a nuisance - it can be a serious health hazard. Help your dog's stomach, and your dog will thank you!
Until next time,
P.S. As I have mentioned before, Miss Scarlett has a tricky tummy--We purchase her food through Ashworth Road Veterinary Hospital...Id Canine. It comes both in a can and by an 8# sack. We serve her canned first thing in the morning--noon and evening the dry. One way I hold down on her vomiting is not to overfeed her at one time...
No comments:
Post a Comment