Is your dog getting the nourishment they need? Sometimes, it can feel difficult to tell. Here’s what you need to know about malnutrition in dogs.
Symptoms
Here are some common symptoms of malnutrition in dogs.
- Shedding of fur
- Obvious hair loss
- Gas
- Bad breath
- Dandruff
- Allergies
- Dull fur coat
- Odd bowel movements
- Skin disorders
- Body odor
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
Disease Factors
Some health conditions can be affected by a slightly incorrect diet, leading to malnutrition. Here are some general guidelines:
- Dogs with growth disorders should consume the exactly correct amount of calcium
- Pancreatitis can be a sign of excessive fat consumption
- Dogs with a risk of developing congestive heart failure should not eat too much salt
- Dogs who develop kidney disease often eat too much potassium, phosphorus, or sodium
- Obese dogs eat too much in general
Treatment
A vet will have to rule out other potential causes of symptoms before diagnosing your dog with malnutrition. Once malnutrition is determined to be the full cause of the problem, a vet will create a diet and activity plan for your dog.
Most dogs will have to change food brands for higher quality options with better nutritional value. Small portion changes will be made gradually in this case.
Without sufficient treatment in time, malnutrition can result in very serious health conditions. Emergency treatment in the form of IV fluids and constant supportive care will likely be administered.
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