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8/3/2014
From the desk of Sharda Baker.
Hi and welcome everyone!
This is Sharda with a wonderful newsletter about dog food.
Today let’s learn about sick dog feeding requirements!
Along with special diets for different life stages, such as puppies or seniors, diets will vary due to other factors such as illness and allergies.
When you have a dog with such factors, it is vital to properly feed your pet with the right dog foods and with food that contains high quality products which will ensure the continued health of your dog.
SPECIAL DIETS FOR SICK DOGS
It is a sad day when you find out that your beloved companion is sick, but it does not have to be devastating.
Many ailments such as diabetes and allergies are manageable with the correct diet.
Keeping these ailments under control will allow the dog to continue a healthy and long life.
DIABETES
Diabetes changes lives, no matter if a human or a dog is the one diagnosed. A diabetic dog, much like a diabetic human, will need drastic and immediate change in their diet to keep their diabetes in check, along with insulin and whatever else the veterinarian deems necessary.
A healthy diet is important for your dog to keep blood sugar levels in check and to stave off any harmful effects from the diabetes.
There are specialized premium foods formulated for dogs with diabetes, and these may be a good idea for your dog, but consult a veterinarian before switching.
It will be important to keep the quantity and type of food the same every day as the insulin provided for the dog will be matched to these factors.
Feeding the dog two or three times a day will help keep blood sugar level in check.
Keep a watchful eye on the dog’s behaviour. Drinking more water than usual can be a sign that the insulin levels need to be adjusted. Contact a veterinarian if this happens.
Along with exercise and the proper medications, a diabetic dog will be a happy and healthy dog.
ALLERGIES
While so much attention is paid to humans and their allergens, many of us forget, or just do not know, that animals have allergies of their own. And while they may not be allergic to us, as we are allergic to them at times, these allergies can be dangerous if not monitored.
More often than not, allergies that dogs develop are food allergies. These symptoms of itchy skin, inflamed eyes, runny nose, are caused by diet.
It is important to consult with your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has developed allergies, as the vet will be able to pinpoint the culprit and suggest what to feed the dog to alleviate these allergic reactions.
There are specialized foods for pets with allergies, so when you have pinpointed what food or environmental factor is affecting your pet, you will be able to purchase dog food accordingly.
Until then, the best line of defense is knowledge and reading the labels. Once you find out what is causing the allergic reactions, write it down and take it with you when you shop.
Compare quality dog foods until you find one that your pet can eat. While this sounds tedious, the reward will be a great one: a happy, healthy pup.
Making your own homemade dog food is another option. This will allow you to control what goes into the dog bowl. This option, however, takes time and careful preparation and may not be ideal for everyone, especially those with hectic on-the-go schedules.
In the end, it is about finding a product that will not cause your dog’s allergies to act up. There are medications available for you dog but changing diets and eliminating allergens is often the best course of action.
DERMATITIS
This condition can be caused by any number of factors such as allergic, neurogenic, and nutritional.
Nutritional dermatitis is usually a result of poor quality food and the dog having a severe reaction to it. It is important to feed your dog with a high quality meat-based product. Even supplements in the dogs diet will alleviate this problem.
The results and change after switching over to a healthier and higher quality diet will be impressive and welcome change for that itchy dog.
There are several other health problems that can and are related to your dogs diet. It is important to have a veterinarian check out your pet in order to asses and diagnosis the dog and change diets immediately.
Dogs cannot eat anything and feel no ill effects. They need a regulated and sometimes specialized diet, much like most of their owners. With this in mind, make sure to meet any needs and requirements for your dog.
I hope you learned a lot from today’s dog food newsletter.
I will be back for more!
Warmest regards,
Sharda Baker