5 Common Dog Illnesses that are Impacted by Nutrition

Do you know why a high-quality, well-balanced food is essential to your dog’s health? Below are 5 common dog illnesses that are impacted by nutrition and observed in dogs.

1. Obesity

Almost 50% of American dogs suffer from obesity, which is a widespread pandemic for dogs. Even worse, obese dogs are more likely to get cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Reduced lifespan is also associated with pet obesity, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), and regrettably, of all the obese pets that physicians eventually categorised, more than 90% of dog owners first believed their pet to be within the normal weight range.

Pay close attention to the amount of calories and fat in your dog’s diet. Even though they are both essential to the diet, too much of either can make dogs obese or make it worse. Similar to humans, selecting a suitable dog diet that restricts calories and fats will aid in slimming down an overweight or obese dog and, eventually, assist in assisting your dog in leading a healthier lifestyle.

2. Pancreatitis

When the pancreas becomes inflamed, digestive enzymes are discharged into the abdominal region, which results in pancreatitis. If this happens, the pancreas’s digestive enzymes will start to break down proteins and fats in the other organs as well.

The release of a hormone that causes the pancreas to emit its digestive hormones is known to be stimulated by dietary fat in dogs, and this hormone is known to be connected with the development of pancreatitis in dogs. Ask your vet whether your dog’s current dietary fat intake could be putting him or her at higher risk of developing pancreatitis.

3. Bladder Stones

Not every bladder stone is the same. They can be made out of a variety of minerals and other materials. For instance, calcium makes up the majority of calcium oxalate bladder stones, whereas magnesium and phosphates make up the majority of struvites (phosphorus). Bladder stones may initially be tiny, but with time they may multiply and/or develop in size, leading to problems including urinating too forcefully, having urine that is coloured, and having accidents.

If you feel your dog has bladder stones, consult a veterinarian. They may also suggest a particular diet to assist prevent the development of bladder stones.

Even if your dog doesn’t currently have bladder stones, a diet reduced in calcium and phosphorus may be beneficial for him or her. The best course of action for your dog will be determined by your veterinarian.

4. Heart Disease

Like us, dogs frequently struggle with heart disease, especially when their food isn’t properly balanced. Dogs’ consumption of sodium (salt) is a major contributor to heart disease. “Increased sodium levels in the blood result from higher salt intake,”. These excessive sodium levels result in increased blood pressure and blood vessel water retention. The sick heart must continue to grow as blood pressure rises in order to pump blood from the ventricles despite the increasing pressure.”

Do you give your dog leftovers from your meals? Is the present food you give your dog too salty? Speak with your doctor about these issues and how a nutritious diet low in salt may assist your dog.

5. Diarrhea

Dogs regularly experience episodes of diarrhoea, which may be divided into two categories: small bowel diarrhoea and large bowel diarrhoea. Little intestinal diarrhoea in dogs often causes them to urinate frequently, but in huge volumes. “Affected dogs typically struggle to urinate tiny volumes of watery faeces regularly throughout the day when abnormalities are concentrated in the colon. This is diarrhoea from the big bowel.”

A high fibre diet has been demonstrated to be helpful “for big bowel diarrhoea”. It is ideal to incorporate both soluble (the kind of fibre colonic bacteria utilise as food) and insoluble (indigestible) fibre. Dr. advises a bland, low-fat, readily digestible diet for small intestinal diarrhoea.

With your veterinarian, go through the critical roles that fat, fibre, calcium, phosphorus, and other dietary components play in your dog’s health.