Symptoms of Poor Nutrition in Dogs
There are several things that can indicate that your pet is receiving inadequate nutrition in one way or another. Some of the signs that their diet or digestion needs to be re-evaluated can include:
Types
There are several diseases and conditions that can be impacted by nutritional imbalances. A few of the more common diseases can include:
Share:
It is often difficult to decide how to start bringing rescue dogs back to proper health if he or she is malnourished. However, by carefully following the steps below, the dog will hopefully be living a healthy, normal life in no time. 1) Provide a warm, comfortable, safe environment. Malnourished dogs often have a hard time keeping themselves warm because they have little body fat. Shivering is unhealthy for them because they will burn needed calories this way. Remember your new dog has been through a lot of stress recently, so make sure your home is relaxed and calming when you take him home. 2) Breakfast! Provide the dog with breakfast first thing in the morning; it is the most important meal of the day. A good breakfast for a malnourished dog may include a mixture of scrambled eggs, white rice and high protein dog food. You will want to give the dog 1 cup of food at first. Give another cup only if he wants more. Avoid overfeeding to prevent vomiting. 3) Snacks are the key. Feed the dog a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Acceptable snack include cheese and/or bits of beef or chicken. Dog treats are ok but check the ingredients to ensure that they are made from real meat and/or cheese. Real meat and cheese will help the dog to gain weight more than meat fillers. 4) High-protein lunch and dinner. Make sure to provide a real source of protein. One way to provide high protein meals is to crack a raw egg over high-protein dog food mixed with rice. As with breakfast, start out by feeding him 1 cup of food and increase it if he seems to still be hungry.
5) Give something to munch on. Set out a bowl of dry dog food for overnight when you cannot tend to him. Don’t add eggs to it because they will spoil overnight. 6) Give a probiotic supplement. A malnourished dog could be having gastrointestinal problems due to lack of food or eating inappropriate foods. A probiotic supplement such as Intelliflora will help to bring back normal gastrointestinal function. 7) Regular vet visits. Make sure to have your vet do a thorough examination of your dog and give you tips on how to help restore him to full health. Then keep going in for regular checks to make sure he is growing and any underlying health problems are being dealt with. Caring for a malnourished, abandoned dog is an extremely rewarding process. You are saving a life as well gaining a friend. Learn more about adopting a shelter dog if you are interested!
Providing too much food or supplements can result in digestive problems, neurological conditions, and compromised organ functioning as the dog’s system is overwhelmed with nutritional materials their system is not prepared for or able to process. Digestive distress may be exhibited by vomiting or diarrhea. If this occurs, you may need to adjust the type of food, or amount provided, until the dogs digestive system adjusts. Dogs that are malnourished should always be provided lots of water to prevent dehydration. Once the dog has built up some weight, and is on a full diet, providing them with free access to food so they can eat at will may be appropriate.
Remember that a malnourished dog’s system can easily be overwhelmed, and they should not be exposed to disease or stress which they have little resistance to, or large changes in nutrients that could cause shifts in blood chemistry resulting in refeeding syndrome. A malnourished dog is in desperate need of nutritious food, and thoughtful care to restore them to a healthy weight. Pet owners who accept this challenge will need to invest time and patience into a malnourished dog’s recovery, but the rewards of seeing a dog restored to health and happiness are well worth it.
The instinctive thing to do, when faced with the care of an emaciated dog, is to feed them more. While providing more nutritious food is indeed a large part of care and recovery for underfed dogs, there are precautions that need to be taken and important information to be aware of when caring for a malnourished dog. Read on to ensure you provide the appropriate care for a dog in this situation.
Small amounts of sustenance, given several times daily, is usually recommended to start. If too much food is provided to an emaciated dog, they can develop refeeding syndrome, as drastic changes in minerals and other nutrients can overwhelm the dog’s compromised system. Additionally, chemical changes can result in serious illness.
Once medical conditions are addressed, restoring the dog to a healthy weight will require providing them with an appropriate recovery diet. It is often a good idea to record the dogs weight and diet, such as the amount of food provided, how often, the amount consumed, and any illness experienced.
Feeding Malnourished Dogs
Just like humans, a dog requires vitamins and minerals in his diet to sustain normal body functioning. If a dog does not get these essential nutrients, he can fall victim to a number of different health issues, causing him to become weak, lethargic, or even threatened by death. Although most cases of malnourishment are the result of animal abuse, it can also be caused by several other lesser-known factors.
Caring for a malnourished dog may be difficult in the beginning. For starters, you have to closely monitor your pet to make sure there are no underlying health issues he is suffering from. Depending on the severity of the issue, the problem may be out of your control. If you find a dog that is to the point of starvation, he will most likely need medical assistance by a professional veterinarian.
If you own a dog and he continues to lose weight even though he has not had any changes in his diet or any other alterations in his lifestyle, he may be suffering from malnourishment due to an untreated health condition. You can be the best owner in the world; providing him with food, water, love, and plenty of playtime and he can still fall victim to malnourishment. That’s why it’s critical to be a proactive pet owner and keep an eye on any changes in your pet’s health or behavior on a regular basis.
This article will cover everything you need to know about the signs and symptoms of malnourishment in dogs. By educating yourself, you will be able to spot when your dog is malnourished or know how to treat a dog with a nutrient deficiency. Even though it may take a little extra attention and care to heal a malnourished dog, once he is able to recover, he can be a loving and playful companion for years to come.
Malnourishment in dogs occurs when the animal is unable to receive or absorb proper nutrients in their body. This issue can be caused by a number of different problems including insufficient food consumption to internal health problems. Regardless of the issue, a malnourished dog can face severe consequences if left untreated.
As often seen in homeless or abandoned animals, the easiest sign of malnourishment in dogs is a skinny or emaciated appearance. If the body does not take in vital nutrients that it needs, normal body functioning will be compromised, causing many different side effects to occur.
A malnourished dog will show several identifiable signs when he is suffering from a nutrient deficiency. If an animal is displaying one or more of these symptoms below, it is highly suggested to take him to your local vet for further examination. Keep in mind the sooner you are able to uncover the underlying cause, the faster your pup can receive treatment, therefore limiting his risk of developing irreversible side effects in the long run. Any unusual symptoms your dog may be experiencing should be addressed to your vet during the diagnosis process. This information can be a vital component when researching your dog’s condition.
As previously stated, serious weight loss is the most identifiable symptom that occurs in malnourished dogs. When a dog is not being fed enough, his body is unable to sustain a healthy weight, therefore causing him to become underweight. It is fairly easy to tell if your dog is at a healthy weight or not. If you notice his rib bones protruding, that is a good sign that he is malnourished. To verify that this is the case, your vet can do a quick examination to see if your dog is at a healthy weight or not.
One of the lesser-known symptoms of malnutrition is canine skin issues. Some animals that are suffering from a health condition will experience redness, irritation, or even hair loss. That’s why you should always get in the habit of examining your dog’s skin during every grooming session or belly rub. Dandruff is another skin problem that can be present when a dog is unable to utilize nutrients in their body. Any skin reaction or abnormality should be analyzed by your veterinarian, even if symptoms seem minor.
Gastrointestinal problems is always a good indication that your dog is suffering from an illness. Notice if your dog is having inconsistent bowel movements, gas, or diarrhea on a regular basis. Digestive issues in dogs are a very broad symptom and can be a side effect of endless canine health issues in general. That’s why if your pup is experiencing tummy issues it’s probably a good idea to get him checked out by a professional.
Most dogs are not known for being overly hygienic, especially if he enjoys rolling around in the dirt or eating straight out of the garbage can. While a little bit of a stinky smell is okay for some dogs, if they smell pungent or foul, this could be a sign of an infection. Not only can they have a general odor on the body, but they can also have bad breath as well. Pay attention to your dog’s scent and if it starts to get out of hand, take him in for further testing. Regardless if he has a health condition that is causing this problem to occur or not, your vet can at least give you some helpful pointers to mitigate the issue.
Did your dog have a beautiful, soft coat that all-of-a-sudden turned dull and brittle? If so, that could mean that he is malnourished. Dogs that are unable to get enough vitamins and minerals will often experience changes in his coat, coloring, or texture. You should also keep an eye out for a thinning of the coat or hair loss in general. As you could probably assume, these are not normal signs your dog should be experiencing if he is strong and healthy. You know your dog better than anyone else, so if you see him losing hair, excessively shedding, or having a physical change in his coat health, that usually means it’s time to take a trip to the veterinarian.
Is your dog always sick? Does he seem more lethargic than normal? These are all signs of a weakened immune system. Poor nutrition will compromise an immune system, making your dog more susceptible to getting sick. Animals with a weakened immune system are unable to fight off bacteria and infections that a healthy dog would be unharmed by. These dogs will also have a more difficult time recovering from an illness. A weakened immune system is never a good sign, especially when our four-legged friends are unable to communicate how he is feeling.