Common Canine Diseases Related to Poor Diet

Ayurveda tradition says we are what we eat. Which, as it turns out, is true. Not only for humans but for dogs as well.

At times we wrongly believe that buying cheaper dog food is the same as buying the expensive kind. We think we’re only paying more for the brand we’re buying. Then, there are other times when we’re convinced that our dogs can eat the same kind of junky processed food we eat. The fact of the matter is that many common canine diseases can be linked to a poor diet. Read on to find out more.

Just like we can get sick from following a poor diet plan, we must provide our pets with a proper diet rich in a variety of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

So, today we’ll be talking about the most common canine diseases that can result from feeding our dogs an inadequate diet. We’ll also learn how to read and make sense of the labels of the processed dog food we feed them.

Common canine diseases caused by a poor diet

These are only some of the most common diseases a dog can have. Keep in mind that a long-term poor diet could cause irreversible damage to your dog’s body and organs. For this reason, we encourage you to carefully plan their diet and watch out for any of the following signs of disease.

Allergies

Many animals are allergic to different types of proteins or fatty acids. If you identify any sign of allergy, it’ll be best to go to the veterinarian so they can analyze and update the dog’s diet, making recommendations on what will be most favorable to them according to their weight, size, age, breed, etc.

Some of these allergies are visible to the naked eye as they appear on the skin in the form of rashes. Also known as pruritus, this condition could also cause respiratory problems in the animal. Keep an eye on your dog and don’t take any changes in their breathing for granted, as it could be fatal.

Acute gastritis

This condition is due to a parasite, any reactions to bacteria or other toxic foreign substance, and/or food intolerance. It could also come from eating out of date or spoiled food.

Eating from the garbage, which is something all dogs do, is quite harmful. It won’t just lead to gastritis but also, on extreme occasions, it can even lead to death. There’s a lot of rotten food in the trash and this is why you should keep your canine away from it. Also, keep an eye on them when you take them out, there’s a lot of yummy (but harmful) stuff in the streets.

Inflammation of the esophagus

Dogs shouldn’t eat bones if they’re cooked. As we explained in one of our articles, dogs naturally evolved to eat and digest bones. But these should always be raw, and the same goes for the meat.

Furthermore, cooked bones splinter as the dogs crush them with their fangs before they reach their stomach, and the splinters could puncture their esophagus, causing damage, irritation, and inflammation. Splinters can also get stuck in their throat and choke them to death.

Diarrhea

This is one of the most common diseases caused by food intolerance, food in poor condition, or sudden diet changes.

You shouldn’t worry about a one-time loose stool movement. But if your dog has it for days, then you should take it to the vet so they can determine the cause and prescribe antibiotics or offer some other solution. Of course, the easiest solution is not to increase the amount of food your pet is used to consuming.

To avoid common canine diseases learn to read food labels

All dog food comes with a label that lists the ingredients and nutritional value of the food you buy for your dog. This is what you should know about the sorts of nutrients your dog needs:

• The main proteins must come from chicken, cow, pork, lamb or any of their vegetable variants, such as legumes, for example. Proteins are essential for your animal.
• Lipids are irreplaceable because they are a very important source of energy.
• Carbohydrates are very important because they provide energy. Keep in mind that excess consumption of carbs could be harmful and lead a sedentary pet straight into obesity.
• Fiber is necessary for proper bowel movements and overall intestinal function.
• All vitamins and minerals contained in a bag of food are welcome.