Dog Illnesses That Can be Adversely Impacted by Diet Quality

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Most pet owners don’t realize the food that they feed their dogs, directly affects their health. Don’t be that pet owner. Diet isn’t just a serious topic for humans. Even pets, especially dogs can end up suffering from certain illnesses if their diets aren’t in line with their nutritional requirements.Here is a list of conditions that are directly linked to the diets they consume.

Pancreatitis is condition that results in the inflammation of the pancreas. This inflammation results in digestive enzymes being sent to the abdominal region. The digestive enzymes start to break down proteins and fats in other organs and also, in the pancreas.The cause of pancreatitis in dogs has been linked to dietary fat. It has been observed that dietary fat stimulates the secretion of a certain hormone. This hormone further stimulates the pancreas to release its digestive enzymes.To put it simply, make sure your dog’s diet doesn’t consist of too much fat. Talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate diet for your dog.

Did you know that almost 50% of dogs in America suffer from obesity? Well, they do. The problem is that owners think “chubby” dogs are cute, not realizing the amount of damage that they are causing to the animal. Obesity is a major cause for concern. Studies have shown that obese dogs are at a higher risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and even cancer.The APOP (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention) also states that obesity is a risk factor for reduced life expectancy.The shocking truth about obesity in dogs is that most owners do not realize that their pets are obese.So, make sure you check on the calories and fat levels in your dog’s diet. Ensure that your dog is consuming within the required limits Once again, it would be wise to have a discussion with your veterinarian.

Though it might sound surprising, even dogs can develop heart disease and it has a lot to do with their diet. One of the main causes of heart disease in dogs is an increased intake of sodium (salt). When sodium levels become too high in the dog’s body, the body begins to retain excessive water and increase the blood pressure.The increase in blood pressure causes the heart to become enlarged as it needs to overcome the high pressure to continue pumping blood.So, cut down on your dog’s sodium intake and ask your veterinarian for suggestions on healthy meals.

It is common for dogs to have diarrhea. However, there are 2 kinds of diarrhea and owners must learn to differentiate.The first type, small bowel diarrhea, results in stools being soft and its occurrence is limited to few times a day. Large bowel diarrhea usually occurs throughout the day and the stools are watery in consistency. This type of diarrhea may indicate colon abnormalities.For small bowel diarrhea, your dog will need a low fat diet that is easy to digest. For large bowel diarrhea, your dog will need both, soluble and insoluble fiber.It is important to discuss your

with your veterinarian, as dog nutrition depends on breed, age, size, and general health condition.