Address Concerns About Dog Health with a Proper Diet
September 23, 2009
Even with older dogs, health problems can usually be linked back to their diet. Any body needs fuel to survive, but not just any fuel will do. In most cases, the problem is with either the quantity or quality of the food.
Overfeeding and Dog Obesity
Obesity is a big dog health issue in these modern times, and it is a major leading cause of many chronic diseases. In an aging canine it is an even bigger concern because of increased sensitivity to health risks. Also, being overweight causes pain for older dogs because of the extra strain on arthritic joints.
Be sure you are giving your dog the right amount of food for their age and body size, and instead of giving them one big meal, provide two smaller ones throughout the day. If they are more sedentary due to age or disability, reduce their caloric intake even further.
Dog Allergies
Allergies, usually manifested as skin problems, are also often caused by a dog’s diet, and as they get older the symptoms worsen. A well-balanced diet full of vitamins will help their skin, but sometimes allergies are caused by something specific in the food rather than something they are missing.
Simply switching to a new dog food may be the solution. Corn is used as a filler in many cheaper brands, but it offers no nutritional value and many dogs are allergic—refuse to buy any brand with corn listed in the first three main ingredients.
Some Things to Remember
Don’t skimp on food costs. If you want to spoil your dog, instead of overfeeding or feeding fatty foods, purchase the highest quality food possible. It should consist of about 25% protein, and if you live in particularly extreme conditions, like cold or hot climates, aim for 30%.
Most foods are already full of vitamins, so supplements are not generally needed. If anything, an over-abundance of certain vitamins might be a problem. Also, have your vet screen for major health conditions, such as kidney disease, which can change diet needs.
Studies have proven dogs can actually detect when food does not have what their body needs, so if they don’t approve of your choice you may want to take it into consideration.
Raw Food Diets
Cooked foods are not doing dogs any favors; their wild relatives certainly weren’t roasting meat over a fire. Many dog-owners feed their furry friends unprocessed, uncooked foods, which are easier to digest and not made with carbohydrate-based fillers.
Not only are their digestive systems unprepared for cooked food, the heat alters its chemistry and destroys essential enzymes. Talk to your vet before any extreme change in a diet plan. With a raw food diet, dog supplements, such as vitamin E, may become necessary.
Practice Self-Control
It’s important to remember that unless they are climbing up onto the counter and preparing their own food, you are in full control of your dog’s eating habits. Ignore the puppy dog eyes and whining. The bottomless doggie bowl and table scraps are doing them no favors.
If you make more conscious decisions about what your dog eats, they will live a longer life and enjoy it more.
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