The nutritional needs of your dog change with age and the conditions. As a pet owner, you need to be aware of the changing needs of your dog and change his diet accordingly so that he remains healthy and active.
Besides age, a dog’s diet depends on several factors like its reproductive status, health, environment, activity, etc. Hence, you need to provide a diet to your dog which fulfills all his nutritional needs.
Your dog’s veterinarian is the best person to advise you on when to alter the diet and what changes to make.
However, if you notice any of the following signs, it could be because dietary changes are required:
- The coat becomes dull and flaky.
- In certain cases, dogs become lethargic if they are not getting the nutrition required.
- Gastrointestinal disturbances such as flatulence, loose stools, rumbling noises in the stomach are also signs that your dog’s diet needs to change.
- Your pet dog could develop allergic reactions to some types of food. Your vet can diagnose if your dog is allergic to any specific food type and recommend dietary changes.
Other than these, you might also need to make dietary changes in your dog’s food if your dog gains weight or if he seems to be hungry all the time and is looking for food.
You need to alter the diet of your pet based on the nutritional needs of a specific life stage. There are three main stages in a dog’s life namely puppy, adult, and senior life stages. The activity levels at each of these stages are different and so is the diet requirement.
When your dog is in its puppy stage, he will require a diet that is rich in proteins and high in calories. This is because these foods help during the growth stage. If your pet does not get the recommended diet to eat at this stage, he could become ill or might have stunted growth.
Continuing the same diet in the adult stage could cause weight gain in your dog. At this stage, look for foods labeled “adult maintenance.”
When a dog reaches its senior stage, it may be suffering from various health conditions. Hence, you need to provide him with a diet that takes care of all aspects of the health of your dog and does not impact his health adversely. Your vet will be the best person to advise you on the diet that will benefit your dog.
Hence, it is important to find a good veterinarian for your dog. It is recommended that you find a vet at the puppy stage and stick with him throughout your dog’s lifetime. This is because regular check-ups and visits to the vet will help the vet understand the health conditions of your dog. He can recommend the best foods for your dog at different stages.
San Antonio Spay and Neuter is a leading veterinary clinic in San Antonio. We have pets who are well-experienced in taking care of a dog’s health. Our vets will help you manage the health and well-being of your dogs.