As pet parents, we’re always on the lookout for the perfect chew toy to keep our dogs happy, healthy, and active. Thankfully, we have plenty of options available, although some are better than others.
One such option is rawhide chews. You probably have heard some good and bad things about them, and in this article, we’ll put them all together to ultimately determine - is rawhide bad for dogs?
Let's start unraveling the truth and make informed choices for our furry friends.
Rawhide is obtained from the inner layer of animal skin or hide and is considered a byproduct of the meat industry. These hides are mostly taken directly from the slaughterhouses and placed into brines to slow their decay.
The process of turning a hide from the slaughterhouse kill floor into chews involves the following steps:
1. Cleaning - Once the rawhide arrives at tanneries, it’s first cleaned to remove any remaining fat, flesh, or hair from the animal. This cleaning process usually involves using chemicals like lime or sodium sulfide.
2. Splitting - The rawhide is split into thinner layers, so it’s more flexible and easier to work with. This process is done by mixing rawhide with water and some chemicals to make it puffed up and easier to split.
3. Coloring - This is an important step as it involves making a by-product look more appealing and appetizing to dogs. There are usually some chemical treatments involved to add more flavoring and coloring to the hide.
4. Preserving - Lastly, rawhides are dried to remove any moisture and preserved to prevent spoilage.
While these are the standard steps followed to make rawhide chews, it’s important to note that not all rawhide products are created equal in terms of quality and safety. There are rawhide products that contain additives and chemicals which can be harmful to a dog’s health.
Now the big question is, are rawhide chews bad for dogs? Most experts will say that you should avoid giving your dog rawhide as the risks outweigh the potential benefits. We have highlighted the potential benefits and risks associated with rawhide chews to help you make informed decisions about your dog’s health.
First, let’s discuss a couple of benefits associated with rawhide chews:
1. Might Improve Dental Health
Chew toys are known for their dental benefits, and rawhide chews are no different. When a dog chews on rawhide, it helps in scraping off plaque and tartar buildup from their teeth. This action also promotes saliva production, which further helps in breaking down and preventing the buildup of harmful bacteria in a dog’s mouth.
It’s because of these dental health benefits some people claim that rawhide chews can be a part of a dog’s dental care routine with regular brushing and other dental care treats. However, this benefit isn’t unique to rawhide chews, as most dental chew toys in the market can also help improve your dog’s dental health.
2. Provides Mental Stimulation
Rawhide chews can help alleviate your dog’s boredom and provide mental stimulation. They can spend hours chewing on these chews, which will not only satisfy their natural chewing instinct but also keep them occupied.
In some dogs, the act of providing mental stimulation with chew toys can also prevent undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, chewing on household items, or digging.
Now, let’s also discuss some risks associated with rawhide chews:
1. Digestibility Issues
Rawhide chews are meant to be chewed and are nearly impossible to digest. Most likely, your dog will try to rip and swallow a piece of rawhide. If that happens, the rawhide won't be digested and can cause digestive issues and intestinal obstruction. in fact, it can even pose a greater risk of choking in smaller breed dogs.
2. Concerns About the Chemicals
Rawhide is often heavily treated with various chemicals during the cleaning, softening, shaping, and drying process. These chemicals are needed to remove impurities, sanitize the hide, and make it suitable for dogs.
However, some of these chemicals used during the processing phase can be toxic for dogs. It will come down to you as pet owners to do your research about reputable manufacturers who you can believe prioritize the safety of the products by using minimal and safe chemical treatments.
3. Risk of Contamination
Rawhide is a natural product made from animal skin. Thus, there is a small chance of it being contaminated with harmful pathogens. Especially if the rawhide wasn’t properly cleaned and sanitized before processing, there is a possibility that bacteria present on the animal's skin could have survived and transferred to the final product.
After comparing the pros and cons, if you choose to give your dog rawhide chews, here are some important precautions you should keep in mind:
Puppies often have some unique needs and considerations compared to adult dogs. This also applies to their choice of chew treats. Rawhide chews may be suitable for an adult dog but not for a puppy.
Firstly, puppies who are less than 6 months old should avoid rawhide chews. It’s mainly because, before this age, their teeth and digestive system are not fully developed to handle the tough texture of rawhide chews.
But even after they are 6 months old, you might want to consider other softer and safer alternatives, especially if they belong to a small breed or have some unique health requirements. We recommend that you consult with a veterinarian to determine what’s the right kind of chew toy for your puppy.
If you’re skeptical about rawhide chews, you can consider other amazing alternatives listed below:
Chews made from healthy, crunchy vegetables are a safe and healthy option for dogs. You can use cucumber, frozen carrots, or even dried sweet potatoes to make simple DIY dog chews at home.
Just make sure you have washed and peeled these vegetables beforehand. And also, just like with other chews and toys, constantly supervise your dog to ensure their safety.
Deer and elk antler chews are also a popular choice amongst pet owners. They are eco-friendly and single-ingredient treats that don’t contain any additives, chemicals, or preservatives. However, they can be extremely hard and can even lead to damaged teeth, which are painful and expensive to repair.
Pig ear chews are another natural and single-ingredient treat. They are savory and an appetizing option that can effectively cleanse your dog’s teeth. However, these chews have a considerable amount of fat and calories, so you should only give them to your dog occasionally and in moderation.
Using raw bones as chew toys is an age-old practice. They have several benefits, as the texture of raw bones can effectively scrape away plaque and tartar from your dog's teeth, which promotes better dental hygiene. Even the bone marrow contains various nutrients that can help improve your dog's overall health.
However, you should exercise caution when feeding bones as they most often pose a risk of choking. Cooked bones, in particular, are dangerous for dogs as they can splinter easily, causing serious injuries in their mouth, throat, or digestive system.
Bully sticks are long-lasting, protein-rich chews for dogs. They are also single-ingredient treats that are typically free from additives or preservatives. These chews even have a natural taste and texture, which draws in dogs and can provide hours of entertainment while cleaning their teeth.
Made from yak or cow milk, Himalayan chews are basically hard cheese. These are an amazing rawhide alternative for dogs who are more prone to swallowing, as these chews are generally considered safe to swallow. They are also a great choice for dogs who have a sensitive stomach, as these chews are free from lactose and gluten.
Apart from these rawhide alternatives, there are many new ones getting introduced every year. You can either find them online or at your local pet store.
Rawhide chews can be good for dogs. They offer some benefits, including better dental health and mental stimulation, but they also have certain drawbacks, like digestive issues, harmful chemicals, and bacterial contamination. In fact, these drawbacks are why some pet food stores have decided to remove all rawhide products from their shelves.
When it comes to determining whether these treats are right for your furry friend, we recommend consulting with a veterinarian.
Rawhide chews offer a satisfying chewing experience to dogs while scraping away plaque and tartar from their teeth and promoting better dental hygiene. Plus, these chews offer mental stimulation that can help alleviate boredom and prevent undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, chewing on household items, or digging.
Many veterinarians and pet owners consider rawhide bad for dogs due to several reasons. First, rawhide products can be treated with various chemicals during the cleaning, softening, shaping, and drying process. These chemicals help in making the product suitable for dogs, but in some cases, it can be unhealthy for dogs.
Secondly, rawhide is very difficult to digest. So if your dog accidentally swallows a large piece of a rawhide chew, it can cause choking, digestive issues, or intestinal obstruction.
Additionally, there’s also a small risk of bacterial contamination if the rawhide isn’t properly cleaned and sanitized during processing.
Many experts believe the potential risks outweigh any of the benefits, such as digestive issues, harmful chemicals, and bacterial contamination.
Ultimately, we recommend you consult with a veterinarian to determine if rawhide chews would be a good option for their dog. And if you do choose to give them rawhide, we’ll advise you to exercise caution and buy the chews from a reputable manufacturer, supervise your dog at all times, choose a more age and size-appropriate chew, and replace the rawhide chew once it’s all chewed up to a small piece.
It depends on your dog's unique needs and health considerations. While some dogs can tolerate rawhide chews every day, others might experience some digestive problems. We recommend that you consult with your veterinarian to determine if daily rawhide chews are appropriate for your dog.
A puppy should be at least 6 months old before they can have any rawhide chews. It’s mainly because, before this age, their teeth and digestive system are not fully developed to handle the tough texture of rawhide chews.
Furthermore, during their early growth years, it would be more beneficial to opt for much softer and safer chew toys that are made especially for puppies. We recommend you consult with a veterinarian to determine the right kind of chew toy for your puppy.
https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/is-rawhide-bad-for-dogs
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/are-rawhide-chews-dangerous-for-dog/
Whenever we talk about a dog’s well-being, a big emphasis is on their digestive health. Even vets place great importance on maintaining a healthy digestive system to promote your dog’s optimal health and happiness.
But despite all the awareness and efforts made by pet owners, digestive issues remain a common problem in dogs. What’s worse is that these issues can arise due to various factors, including diet, stress, infections, or an underlying health condition.
We fully understand how complicated it can get when you’re trying to better understand your dog's digestive health. That’s why we have compiled this list of the 15+ most common digestive issues that can affect dogs. This guide will help you identify these issues and address them effectively to prevent any major health complications.
But before that, let's discuss when you need to seek the help of a veterinarian for your dog's digestive issues.
The first thing you should do when your dog has stomach issues is to monitor their symptoms. If it’s a case of mild and occasional problems with no other concerning symptoms, you can firsttry some home remedies like temporarily switching to a bland diet and keeping them hydrated.
However, you should take your dog to a veterinarian immediately when:
Remember that whenever you’re unsure, a vet visit can save you a lot of trouble. They will help you understand your dog’s unique digestive needs and may recommend diet and lifestyle modifications to improve the quality of their life.
Although this isn’t an extensive list, below, we have tried to compile some of the most common dog digestive issues every pet owner should know:
This is undoubtedly the most common issue every pet owner encounters. Diarrhea in dogs can happen due to endless reasons, ranging from minor issues like dietary changes to more significant concerns like eating something they shouldn’t.
If your dog experiences diarrhea once in a while, then you probably don’t have anything to worry about. In such cases, you can try simple home remedies like temporary fasting, a bland diet, and proper hydration. However, if the diarrhea is more frequent or lasts for more than a day or two, then you might want to take the situation more seriously, as it can be a sign of an underlying health issue.
It’s important to consult with a veterinarian in case of persistent diarrhea.
After diarrhea, constipation is a major digestive problem that can affect your dog. It’s a condition that is characterized by difficulty in passing stools, straining while pooping, or infrequent bowel movements.
The biggest cause of constipation includes dehydration, lack of dietary fibers, lack of physical activity, or some kind of blockages in the digestive tract. In some cases, constipation can also be a symptom of a more serious health issue.
That’s why, just like in case of diarrhea, you can first try home remedies like dietary adjustments and increased water intake for mild and occasional constipation. In case of persistent constipation, it's recommended to consult with a veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause.
Simply put, gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be caused by dietary indiscretion (eating food items found in the garbage or foreign objects), bacterial or viral infections, intestinal parasites, or food allergies.
In most cases, gastroenteritis presents two common symptoms - vomiting and diarrhea. It’s also easier to resolve with proper treatment and dietary adjustments. But nonetheless, this situation requires prompt veterinary attention.
Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, Giardia, tapeworms, and whipworms can cause various health issues in dogs. They can lead to anemia, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, weight loss, and a variety of gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.
This situation can be avoided by routine deworming, practicing good hygiene, promptly removing your dog’s feces, and properly cleaning and disinfecting their drinking bowls regularly. But if you suspect your dog has an intestinal parasite, consult your veterinarian promptly for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Bloat or GDV is a much more serious condition that most often affects dog breeds with a deep and narrow chest, like Great Danes and Saint Bernards. It happens when a dog’s stomach fills with air and twists on itself, trapping the air, food, and fluid inside. This restricts the blood flow from the hind legs and abdomen, returning back to the heart. It can send a dog into shock and can result in serious organ damage.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of bloat isn’t well understood, but it’s advised to seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect your dog may be experiencing bloat.
Colitis, also known as large bowel diarrhea, is the inflammation of the colon. It leads to symptoms like frequent and loose stools, straining to defecate, blood in stool, and abdominal discomfort.
Stress is one of the major causes of colitis, but this condition can also be caused due to other reasons, including bacterial infections or parasites. Additionally, the treatment for this digestive problem depends on its specific cause. A veterinarian will be able to determine that cause and guide you on the most effective course of action.
EPI is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce enough pancreatic enzymes. This causes difficulty in digesting proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as well as poor nutrient absorption, which then leads to health problems like malnutrition, weight loss, diarrhea, and dry, dull coat.
The primary cause of EPI is the lack of functional pancreatic tissue that produces digestive enzymes. In some cases, genetics play a huge role in the development of this condition, but other factors, like chronic inflammation, injury, or pancreatitis, can also lead to EPI.
It's important to bear in mind that while EPI cannot be completely cured, it can still be managed effectively with the right treatment and diet under the guidance of a veterinarian.
IBD is caused due to the inflammation of the intestinal lining, and it often leads to various digestive problems. This condition is characterized as a syndrome rather than a disease in itself.
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, but it’s often believed to be a result of an exaggerated immune response, certain bacterial infections, or exposure to certain toxins or allergens. Depending on the cause, the treatment can include dietary management, medication, and, in severe cases, surgery.
Therefore, it’s important to consult your veterinarian promptly if you notice persistent symptoms of IBD, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or weight loss.
Your dog’s gut consists of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These microorganisms play an important role in various bodily functions like digestion and immune response.
When the balance between these microorganisms is disrupted due to stress, infections, aging, dietary changes, or any other reason, it leads to dysbiosis. This condition can impact your dog’s digestive health and immune system, potentially increasing the risk of many health problems.
At-home remedies to address dysbiosis include dietary modifications and prebiotics and probiotics supplements. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, it's crucial to consult a veterinarian.
Megacolon occurs when a dog's colon becomes distended, and it loses its ability to contract and move feces effectively. This leads to severe constipation, as the feces accumulate in the colon, causing it to become enlarged.
This condition can occur due to genetic abnormality or can be a result of various factors, including dietary issues, dehydration, and certain medications. The treatment for megacolon will generally depend on the cause and severity of the situation. But in worst-case scenarios, dogs might even need surgeries to remove waste from their body.
If you suspect your dog might have a megacolon, consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
Dogs have a natural tendency to smell and chew on unfamiliar objects in their surroundings. It’s quite a natural behavior, but it can become dangerous when they accidentally ingest something that isn’t suitable for consumption. It can be a small toy, socks, or even some spare change that you left on the table.
If a dog has swallowed an object, it can lead to an intestinal blockage or obstruction. In such cases, dogs often exhibit signs like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, and straining during defecation. This is typically considered a medical emergency and needs immediate veterinary attention.
Gastric ulcers, or stomach ulcers, are painful sores that develop on the lining of your dog’s stomach. They can be caused due to bacterial infections, stress, or increased production of stomach acid.
This is a painful condition that can make your dog experience discomfort and distress. They might also exhibit other symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and black, tarry stools.
You should to take them to a vet as this condition requires medications, dietary adjustments, and management of any underlying causes.
Food allergies and sensitivities can cause significant digestive issues in dogs. When they eat something they are allergic or sensitive to, it can trigger gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas, and abdominal pain.
In case of a mild allergic reaction, a dog will feel better when you have removed the allergen from their diet. However, in case of a severe allergic reaction, you might need professional help to identify and eliminate the source of your dog’s allergies.
Pancreatitis, as you might already know, is a condition that refers to the inflammation of the pancreas. Your dog’s pancreas is located near the stomach, and it plays a crucial role in digestion as it produces various digestive enzymes and hormones. When inflamed, the pancreas starts to function abnormally by releasing digestive enzymes prematurely, leading to damage and irritation within the pancreas itself.
Some common signs of pancreatitis in dogs include vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, etc.
Now, the exact cause of pancreatitis is unknown, but it’s believed that in some cases, it can be triggered by a high-fat diet, certain medications, or obesity. The treatment for this health condition varies depending on whether it’s acute or chronic. But in both cases, you should seek medical care for your dog in order to manage their condition.
Intussusception is a serious condition in which a dog’s intestine "telescopes" or slides into another, causing a blockage or obstruction. It’s more common in large and giant breeds of dogs and is often caused by intestinal parasites, bacterial or viral infections, ingesting foreign objects, or abrupt dietary changes.
The signs and symptoms in dogs will depend on the location of the intussusception. But in general, you’ll notice vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, distended abdomen, and blood in the stool.
This condition almost always requires surgical correction.
The liver is a vital organ, and it plays an important role in your dog’s digestive health. It produces bile, which helps in breaking down and absorbing fats and nutrients from the food. But when it's affected by a disease like hepatitis, its ability to produce bile gets disrupted. This results in poor digestion, decreased nutrient absorption, and a range of gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Additionally, the signs, symptoms, and treatment of liver disease will vary based on the specific type of disease that has affected your dog. However, if you notice any persistent digestive issues or changes in your dog’s behavior, it's essential to consult with your veterinarian.
Occasional digestive issues in dogs are fairly common, but you can take the following steps to protect them from more severe and frequent problems:
Most digestive issues sound scary! And the mere thought of our dog suffering from such a health condition can be distressing. Yet you should understand that even though you cannot fully protect your furry friend from occasional digestive problems, you can ensure that they receive the best possible care to minimize the impact of such issues.
You can take preventive measures, such as providing them with a well-balanced diet, avoiding harmful substances, helping to keep them stress-free, and, most importantly, scheduling regular veterinary check-ups.
Also, note that the above list of digestive issues is not exhaustive, and there are many other less common digestive issues that may affect your dog. Ultimately, you should continuously monitor your dog's behavior and promptly seek veterinary advice if you notice any signs of digestive discomfort.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about a dog’s digestive health:
In most cases, dogs with digestive problems exhibit symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, excessive gas, and abdominal pain. You might even notice some behavioral changes like lack of appetite, decrease in energy levels, or lethargy in your dog.
If you observe any of these signs, you should seek veterinary attention for a thorough examination of your dog's digestive health.
You can take various precautionary steps to prevent stomach issues in dogs, such as providing a well-balanced diet, avoiding harmful ingredients, maintaining a regular exercise routine, keeping them stress-free, and practicing good hygiene.
You should also schedule regular veterinary check-ups to monitor your dog's digestive health and overall well-being.
The diet of a dog experiencing digestive issues depends on their unique health condition and the severity of the problem.
In case of mild and occasional stomach problems, most veterinarians recommend temporarily switching to a bland diet consisting of boiled chicken, steamed rice, or cooked sweet potatoes. However, when a dog is suffering from a serious digestive issue, your dog will probably need a specialized diet plan that addresses their specific needs.
There can be various factors that can cause digestion issues in dogs. Some of the most common ones include eating something they shouldn’t, allergies, bacterial or viral infections, intestinal parasites, and stress.
Digestive issues can also have a genetic component, as certain breeds may be more susceptible to certain health problems.
When your dog is suffering from digestive issues, you should monitor their symptoms closely. If they have a mild and occasional stomach problem without other concerning symptoms, you can try some home remedies like temporarily switching to a bland diet and keeping them hydrated.
In case the digestive issues persist or you notice other concerning symptoms, it is important to seek veterinary advice.
https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-long-for-dog-to-digest-food-5086088
https://bondvet.com/b/digestive-issues-in-dogs-causes-prevention-and-treatment
Leading vet
November has been designated National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. While most people know that cancer is a leading cause of death in humans, many do not realize that it is also a leading cause of death among pets, especially older dogs and cats. Like their human companions, animals can develop different types of cancers. Fortunately, many cancers can be treated, especially when detected early. The goal of National Pet Cancer Awareness Month is to educate the public about the most common cancers in pets and to teach pet parents how to recognize the signs and symptoms of cancer.
Cancer is a genetic change in a cell that causes it to divide and proliferate uncontrollably. There are two types of cancer: benign and malignant. Benign tumors grow but do not invade tissue and do not spread to distant locations. Malignant tumors grow invasively and can metastasize (spread throughout the body).
Unfortunately, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in older animals. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 1 in every 4 dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. The Veterinary Cancer Society estimates that almost half of all dogs over ten will develop cancer.
Cancer encompasses a variety of diseases in which cells proliferate abnormally. Depending on the type of cancer and location, the specific presenting symptoms, prognosis, and treatment will vary. However, although each cancer is unique, they share many signs and symptoms. To increase your odds of detecting cancer in your pets early, you should become familiar with the common signs and symptoms of cancer. Be alert and watch for any changes in your pet. Some of the things to watch for are unexplained weight loss, trouble eating, decreased activity level, coughing, breathing problems, abnormal bleeding, lameness or limping, and the appearance of any skin growths or lumps and bumps. It is important to realize that these are only some of the most common signs and symptoms of cancer. These signs and symptoms are not specific to cancer and may be seen in other diseases. The key is to be observant and notify your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these symptoms or have other health concerns about your dog.
*Note this list is not comprehensive. There may be other signs of cancer and these signs may also be seen with other diseases.
Unfortunately, no matter how vigilant we are, our pets may be asymptomatic in the early stages of cancer. To improve the chances of early detection, you should take your pet in for check-ups regularly. Your veterinarian will do a complete examination checking your pet from head to tail, looking for abnormal skin growths (lumps and bumps), enlarged organs or masses in your pet’s abdomen (belly), abnormal heart or lung sounds, and abnormalities in their eyes, ears, and mouth. These exams are important because veterinarians often discover things that you may not have noticed. For instance, how often do you open your pet’s mouth and look inside? Sadly, most people don’t do this, and oral cancers are common in pets. When oral cancers become symptomatic and animals stop eating or drool excessively, it may be too late because the tumor is too big to treat. Remember the goal and the best way to improve your pets’ odds of beating cancer is early detection. Regular examinations are one of the best ways to do this. Personally, I recommend animals over 6 years of age be seen by their veterinarian seen twice a year.
Not all cancers can be detected on physical examinations alone, so your veterinarian may also recommend screening tests like blood work, urinalysis, and radiographs (x-rays), to uncover underlying diseases like cancer. These tests are quick and painless and can give your veterinarian a lot of information about your pet’s health. The specific tests ordered by your veterinarian will be individualized and depend on the age, sex, and breed of your pet.
If your veterinarian is concerned about a lump or bump, they will likely recommend a fine needle aspirate or biopsy to determine if the lesion is benign or malignant. Fine needle aspirates and biopsies are often recommended prior to surgery because they help your veterinarian determine if the mass must be removed at all and if it does, how aggressive the surgery needs to be to decrease the odds of it recurring in the same area. For pets suspected of having cancer but without visible masses your veterinarian may recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests: radiographs (x-rays), blood tests, an ultrasound, and possibly advanced imaging such as a CT scan, MRI or PET scan.
Like their human companions, dogs can develop many different types of cancer. According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, the most common cancers seen in dogs are mammary tumors. Other common types of cancers seen in dogs are: lymphoma, osteosarcomas, mast cell tumors, oral melanomas, hemangiosarcomas, and transitional cell carcinomas.
Once you overcome the initial shock, it is important to realize that all cancers are different, and some are more treatable than others. The decision to treat and how aggressively to treat can be complicated. It depends on the cancer’s location, its stage, and the patient’s general health. Your veterinarian may suggest you see a veterinary oncologist to sort through the latest treatment options and determine which treatment is best for your pet.
The treatment depends on the type of cancer and location. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. As is the case with other diseases, typically the earlier cancer is detected the better the prognosis. In recent years, our ability to treat cancer has improved dramatically and pets with cancer are living longer. Fortunately, recent advances in veterinary oncology have made many previously untreatable cancers now treatable.
While remission is the ultimate goal, quality of life is equally important. As a result, cancer treatments in dogs are generally less aggressive than regimens used in people. Therefore, pets typically do not suffer from some of the troubling side effects seen in people, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and extreme fatigue. If side effects occur, your veterinarian will adjust the treatment to ensure that your pet remains as comfortable as possible. The goal is to prolong your pet’s life while still maintaining quality of life.
Yes, all cancers are different, and some are more treatable than others. The type of cancer, location, size, and response to treatment all affect the ultimate prognosis. With many cancers, the earlier treatment is started the better the prognosis and ultimately the longer the survival times. That's why it is so important to bring your pet to their veterinarian for examinations at least once a year.
Yes! While recent advances in the field of veterinary oncology have enabled veterinarians to treat many previously untreatable cancers, there is still a pressing need for more safe and effective treatments. Clinical trials are an important step in the development of new treatment protocols. They enable researchers to evaluate new medications by studying how medications are metabolized, establishing effective doses, and identifying any potential side effects. There are hundreds of clinical trials being conducted at universities and veterinary specialty clinics around the United States. If your dog has an untreatable cancer, or if the treatment is cost-prohibitive, consider enrolling your dog in a clinical trial since most are partially or wholly subsidized. Besides helping your pet, you may be helping countless other animals in the fight against cancer.
The AVMA”s website has information about clinical trials and a searchable database for ongoing clinical trials. I also recommend pet owners ask their veterinarian or veterinary oncologist if they are familiar with any local trials that may be of benefit to their pet.
Unfortunately, just like in humans, some cancers can recur. The likelihood of recurrence depends on the type of cancer. Before treatment your veterinarian or veterinary oncologist will give you the latest statistics pertinent to your dog’s cancer type and stage. This will include median survival times with and without treatment, rates of remission, and odds of recurrence. These statistics, while not an exact guarantee, may help you make an informed decision that is right for you and your pet.
You may be surprised to learn that some cancers are preventable. So how can you prevent cancer in your dog? Spaying your female dog before their first heat decreases their risk of mammary carcinoma. Neutering your male dog will prevent them from developing testicular cancer. A 10-year study by the University of California Davis found that the age when this should be done in male dogs depends on the breed. To learn more about this speak with your veterinarian or check out the study by the University of California Davis. If you have a hairless breed of dog or light-colored dogs (like Pit Bulls, Bull Terriers), they have a higher risk of developing sun-induced squamous cell carcinomas, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. If your dog is at risk for skin cancer, consider using pet-safe sunscreen on the hairless area or nonpigmented skin (belly and ears).
Yes. Sadly, certain breeds have a genetic predisposition to certain cancers. Some of the breeds that are more likely to develop cancer are: Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. However, it is important to know that any breed or mixed breed can develop cancer. If you have a dog breed that is predisposed to cancer it is important to be extra vigilant and notify your veterinarian right away if you notice any changes in your pet’s appearance or behavior.
No. If your pet is on a well-balanced diet and they are eating and maintaining their weight, there is no need to change their diet. The nutrition service at Tufts Veterinary School caution against feeding raw diets or raw treats (even freeze-dried raw foods) to pets with cancer. Raw meat, dairy and eggs have a high risk of bacterial contamination with: Salmonella, Listeria, E-coli, Campylobacter and more. Pets with cancer are at a greater risk for infection, especially pets undergoing chemotherapy.
Yes. To find a support group in your area, speak with your veterinarian. The Animal Cancer Foundation (www.acfoundation.org) provides helpful articles about cancer in pets and pet loss support.
Remember early detection and treatment is the best way to improve your pet’s odds of beating cancer. So make sure your pet gets regular check-ups, take advantage of recommended screening tests, and be familiar and on the lookout for the most common signs and symptoms of cancer in pets. Be sure to report any “lumps and bumps” or other abnormal findings to your veterinarian right away.
When we talk about the gut health of our dogs, we often hear terms like prebiotics and probiotics. But have you heard about postbiotics? It’s a relatively newer kind of “biotic” that’s gaining a lot of recognition in commercial products.
In fact, it’s even claimed that postbiotics are just as beneficial for dogs as probiotics. In this article, we’ll try to decode whether or not postbiotics can help in promoting a dog’s health and well-being by discussing their various health benefits.
But first, let’s start by understanding what exactly are postbiotics.
Dogs have diverse gut microbiomes with varying types of probiotics, but not all dogs have the same probiotic lineup in their guts. This variability can be due to various factors such as breed, diet, genetics, and overall health.
Probiotics are considered good bacteria because they help in maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, aid in digestion, support nutrient absorption and also contribute to a healthy immune function.
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a type of soluble fiber that remains undigested as they pass through your dog’s digestive system. When they reach the large intestine intact, they serve as food for the probiotics or the beneficial gut bacteria. When probiotics “eat” prebiotics, it generates postbiotics.
When a dog lacks a particular probiotic or has insufficient amounts, it results in a shortage of a corresponding beneficial postbiotic. Therefore, supplementing their diets with postbiotics can provide the benefits that they may not be getting naturally.
Interestingly, many researchers have found that postbiotics are responsible for most of the benefits that were previously attributed to probiotics.
There are several types of postbiotics that are produced when probiotics consume prebiotics. Some of the most common ones found in a dog’s body include:
As mentioned earlier, postbiotics offer a range of health benefits that were previously attributed to probiotics. These benefits include:
Postbiotics can help in improving your dog’s gut health by:
Postbiotics can strengthen your dog’s immune system by stimulating the production of various immune cells like T-cells and B-cells. These cells play a crucial role in protecting the body against various infections and maintaining proper immune function.
Additionally, postbiotics can also help reduce gut inflammation which helps in promoting a healthier immune response.
Proper digestion and regular bowel movements are often associated with a healthy gut microbiome. Since postbiotics help contribute to a healthy gut, they also help in promoting regular bowel movements in dogs.
Additionally, postbiotics can also positively affect gut motility, which allows the food to move smoothly through the digestive tract, reducing issues like diarrhea or constipation.
Postbiotic digestive enzymes help in breaking down macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract. This helps in optimizing their body's ability to extract and absorb nutrients from the diet.
If you read your dog food labels, you might have seen brands claiming their pet food is either rich in prebiotics or probiotics. This gives pet owners a hassle-free option of feeding their dogs all the “biotics” directly through their regular meals. However, you still need to consider the quality and viability of these supplements.
For example, probiotics are live bacteria that can get destroyed when traditional pet food is cooked at high temperatures. So even if the label says the food contains probiotics, these dead bacteria wouldn’t provide the intended health benefits.
Postbiotics, however, don’t have this problem as they aren’t live organisms. They can easily be stored and added to dog food without affecting its health properties.
Therefore, while probiotics can offer many health benefits, they aren’t a viable option for most traditional dog foods. Postbiotics are a much more stable and effective option that can provide similar health benefits to your dog.
You should consider all such factors and properly read and understand the ingredients list when buying commercial dog food.
Postbiotics occur naturally as an output of probiotic fermentation. But you can still supplement your dog’s diet with specific kinds of postbiotic supplements. These supplements would be formulated to provide the required amount of beneficial postbiotics that can support the gut health and overall well-being of your dog.
However, when you’re thinking about adding postbiotic supplements to your dog’s diet, make sure you talk to a veterinarian first. They’ll help you understand whether or not your dog needs postbiotics and what kind of postbiotics would best suit them according to their health requirements.
If you want to include some natural postbiotic food sources, you can consider feeding your dog:
Prebiotic Rich Foods
Feeding your dog prebiotic-rich foods like bananas, chicory roots, oats, apples, and pumpkins can indirectly lead to an increase in postbiotics. Since your dog already has billions of live beneficial bacteria in their gut, adding more prebiotics would increase its fermentation. This, in turn, would lead to increased production of postbiotics.
Probiotic-Rich Foods
Similarly, you can also increase the level of postbiotics in your dog’s gut by feeding them foods that contain probiotics, like yogurt or kefir. You can feed your dog these foods as meal toppers or occasional treats.
However, when buying these food items, you need to make sure that they are dog-friendly. This means that it shouldn’t contain any additional ingredients, seasonings, artificial sweeteners, or flavorings, as that can be harmful to dogs.
Whether you choose commercial postbiotic supplements or natural food sources, you should first consult with a veterinarian to understand your dog’s health requirements. Remember that if you have a perfectly healthy dog who eats a well-balanced meal, you might not need to give them any additional supplements.
If you choose to give your dog probiotic or postbiotic supplements, you should start with small amounts and adjust the dosage according to your dog’s digestive health. You should also monitor your dog’s reaction to these supplements as, in some cases, dogs can have an adverse reaction to any change in their diet.
If you notice signs of continued digestive distress or intolerances after eating postbiotic-rich foods or supplements, you should take your dog to a veterinarian immediately.
Postbiotics offer a range of health benefits for a dog. These supplements can help improve their gut health, promote better nutrient absorption, boost the immune system, and support regular bowel movements.
When choosing to feed postbiotics to your dog, you can easily buy specific kinds of commercial supplements that would be formulated to support their gut health and overall well-being. You can also consider adding natural sources of prebiotics and probiotcs, as they would indirectly lead to an increase in postbiotics.
However, before getting started, we’ll recommend you consult with a veterinarian and determine the best supplement options for your dog.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about postbiotics and their health benefits for dogs:
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that live in your dog’s gut, and postbiotics are generated when probiotics “eat” prebiotics. You should consider various factors to determine which one of these “biotics” are better for your dog.
Ultimately, you should start by assessing your dog’s health needs and consult with a veterinarian to understand what kind of supplements would be appropriate for them.
The best food products for postbiotics would be the ones that are rich in either prebiotics or postbiotics. These food items would indirectly lead to an increase of postbiotics in your dog’s gut.
https://doggybiome.com/expert-advice/boost-dog-health-with-probiotics-prebiotics-and-postbiotics/
Leading vet
Dogs are more than just pets, they're family. We want them to be happy, healthy, and live long lives. So, what can you do to help your furry loved ones stay healthy and live their best lives? Here are 10 of the best ways to keep your dog healthy.
Just like humans, dogs need a well-balanced diet and plenty of water to stay healthy. It is important to provide them with a well-balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements. Feed your dog a high-quality food brand, and avoid foods that contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. A diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals will help your dog maintain a healthy weight and provide them with the energy they need to stay active. Make sure your dog always has access to fresh, clean water. If you have questions about your dog’s nutritional requirements always speak with your veterinarian to determine which diet is best for your dog before changing diets.
Exercise is essential for dogs, just as it is for humans. Regular exercise can help prevent obesity, promote healthy joints, and reduce stress and anxiety. Regular exercise helps your pet burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. It also provides dogs with mental stimulation, which is important for their overall well-being. Activities such as playing fetch or going for a walk can help keep dogs mentally engaged and prevent boredom. Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs by releasing endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. This can help dogs feel more relaxed and calmer. In contrast, dogs that don't get enough exercise can become bored and restless, which can lead to behavior problems such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, and aggression. Walking your dog isn’t just good for them, it’s great for pet parents too!
Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are an essential part of keeping your dog healthy. Routine examinations can help detect any health problems early and ensure that your dog is up to date on vaccinations and preventative medications. Your dog can’t tell you when something is wrong. So never skip a check-up because your dog looks healthy. Just like us, dogs can develop diseases like kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, dental disease, cardiac disease and cancer. During a routine visit, your veterinarian will examine your pet from head to tail. Veterinarians have the tools and training to detect subtle signs of diseases. Remember the goal of annual examinations is to not only prevent disease, but also to catch any illnesses early. The earlier diseases are discovered the better the odds are that your dog can be treated successfully. So, remember whether your pet appears healthy or not, all pets should see their veterinarian at least once a year. If they are older than 7 years they should have routine check-ups twice a year.
Dental health is important in pets and must not be overlooked. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 75% of dogs over the age of four have dental disease. In fact, dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions we see in dogs. This should come as no surprise. Most people do not brush their dog’s teeth, and we all know that our dogs are not brushing their own teeth. Dental disease doesn’t just lead to bad doggy breath, it can lead to tooth loss, painful tooth root abscesses, difficulty eating, and other serious health problems. Pets should have their mouth examined by a veterinarian at least once a year. This typically takes place during your pet’s annual physical exam. During these check-ups your veterinarian will do an oral exam and be able to detect if your dog has any dental disease. In between these visits you should ideally be checking your dog’s mouth regularly as well. The best way to prevent dental disease is to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Ideally you want to start brushing your dog’s teeth when they are young so that they become used to the routine. Young dogs also have clean healthy teeth and will get used to brushing if you start when they are young, just like nail trims. Dogs should have their teeth brushed daily or at the very least a few times a week. It is important to use a dog-safe toothpaste and not toothpaste intended for people. Dog-safe toothpaste does not bubble or foam and does not require your dog to rinse their mouth out. Routine oral exams and regular tooth brushing is the best way to prevent dental problems in your pets.
Fleas and ticks aren’t just annoying, they can carry diseases that can be harmful to your dog's health. Not only do fleas annoy their hosts relentlessly, some animals are sensitive to fleas and can develop a skin reaction called “flea dermatitis,” which can then lead to bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) also known as hotspots. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms, an intestinal parasite that can cause malnutrition. Young animals with severe flea infestations are at risk for developing anemia.
Ticks are more than a nuisance; they are an important disease vector that can pose a threat to your pets and family. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease as well as other tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasmosis, Tularemia and Babesiosis.
Tick-borne illnesses are a significant cause of morbidity in people and pets. To protect your family and your dog, it is important to utilize year-round tick prevention.
Luckily there are many safe and effective medications available to protect your dog from fleas and ticks. Utilizing one of these products year-round is the best way to keep ticks and fleas at bay and your pets healthy. Your veterinarian can help you decide which medication is best for your particular pet.
Mosquitoes can carry the heartworm parasite, a dangerous and common parasite that can affect your dog's heart and other organs. Left untreated heartworm disease is fatal. Unfortunately, the current treatment options for heartworm infections have high risk of mortality and complications. The best way to treat heartworm is to prevent it. There are several safe and effective medications available to prevent heartworm. Many are also effective against other parasites.
Grooming is important for your dog's physical and mental health. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair, dirt, and debris, which can cause skin irritation if left unattended. Additionally, grooming your dog gives you an excellent opportunity to inspect your dog's skin for lumps, cuts, and other injuries. Most dogs also enjoy being groomed. Regular grooming can help prevent skin problems, promote healthy coat growth, and provide a bonding experience for you and your dog.
From wagging tails to joyful barks, dogs are undeniably social animals that thrive on interaction and connection. Dogs are pack animals by nature. In a household setting, they consider their human family as part of their pack. This is why dogs thrive in environments where they have the opportunity to interact and engage with their human and canine counterparts. Dogs are social animals and need socialization to thrive. Expose your dog to various people, animals, and environments from a young age. This helps them build confidence, adaptability, and strong social skills and can prevent behavioral problems in the future.
Dogs are curious creatures and may get into things they shouldn't. Keep toxic substances such as cleaning products, human and pet medication, and poisonous foods like chocolate, grapes and food containing xylitol safely out of reach. Also be aware of plants that may be poisonous to pets and keep these out of your house and yard. And never give your pet any medication without first checking with your veterinarian. If your pet gets into anything DO NOT wait for symptoms, call your vet or local veterinary ER right away. Time is of the essence with poisonings.
Dogs thrive on attention and love. Take your pet for long walks, take them with you to the pet store or other pet-friendly outings, and give them extra snuggles. Our furry loved ones give us unconditional love and companionship year-round and deserve a show of affection. Research has shown that oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone," is released in both dogs and humans during interactions, strengthening the emotional connection between them. This chemical reaction is responsible for the warm and fuzzy feeling we experience when cuddling with our furry friends. There is also evidence that petting your dog lowers their blood pressure as well as yours. Spending time with your dog, playing, and showing affection can help keep them happy and healthy.
In conclusion, there are many things you can do to help keep your dog healthy. Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, routine vet visits, dental care, flea and tick prevention, heartworm preventatives, clean water, regular grooming, plenty of love and attention, socialization, and avoiding toxic substances are all important ways to keep your dog healthy and happy. By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can help your furry friend live a long, healthy life.
Every pet parent is familiar with those irresistible puppy eyes. When our dogs stare at us, whether for a treat or some attention, their big, round eyes leave us powerless. But sometimes, these stares seem to last an eternity, and you may wonder, "Why on earth is my dog staring at me?"
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t that simple because dogs can stare at humans for a number of reasons. In this article, we’ll explore 10 such fascinating reasons why your dog can't seem to take their eyes off you.
Below we have discussed 10 of the most common reasons why a dog stares at its owner:
Dogs often need constant attention. When they see you’re busy with your own work, they can resort to staring as a way to communicate their desire for interaction. This can even go on for an extended duration if they feel a bit neglected.
The best thing you can do here is take a small break and shower them with some love and cuddles. But just a heads up, this will reinforce their behavior, leading to more stares.
A soft stare accompanied by a relaxed posture and soft expressions can be a way to express affection. This gentle and affectionate look speaks volumes about their love and admiration for you. Thus it’s important that you reciprocate the love with gentle petting, cuddles, or verbal praise.
Dogs are highly perceptive, and they often observe humans to understand our body language, facial expressions, and overall behavior. This is a sort of attentive staring that allows dogs to learn from our behavior or anticipate what might happen next.
Sometimes, dogs stare at humans for visual cues on what they should do or how they should behave in certain situations. This is especially common in dogs that are getting trained with positive reinforcement methods. They learn to associate a specific action with rewards and treats.
For example, when you’re teaching a puppy to sit, they can learn that sitting on command gives them treats. As a result, they might start staring at you, waiting for your instructions or signals that would indicate they can sit down and receive their well-deserved reward.
When a dog feels unsafe or uneasy, they might stare at their owners for protection or to seek reassurance. In such situations, they might even show more signs of anxiety or distress, such as trembling or excessive panting.
If you can spot the source of their distress, you should address it and take appropriate steps to make your dog feel safe and comfortable.
However, sometimes this can happen in an awkward situation where you can’t really do anything. For example, some dogs stare at their humans while pooping. It’s because that is a vulnerable position for them, and they look at you for protection in case something happens. This is where you may not be able to do anything about the staring, but you should just let them do their business without any unnecessary interruptions or distractions.
Another common reason why dogs stare at humans is to convey something. It can be something as simple as they want to go for a potty break or they can’t find their favorite toy. But sometimes a stare can also indicate some bigger problem like they are having some kind of pain or physical discomfort.
Thus it's important to pay attention to your dog’s body language and understand what they’re trying to communicate. If you notice some problematic signs of distress, like aggression or excessive whining, it would be best to consult with a veterinarian.
If your dog is staring at you when you’re eating something, they are probably trying to manipulate you into sharing some of your food. Dogs are always curious about what you eat, and they’re always ready to taste some table scraps. However, you need to be careful, as some human foods can be toxic for dogs.
Their soft puppy eye stare might be tempting, but you should refrain from sharing any of your food. Instead, you can keep aside a healthy treat that they can eat during your mealtime.
Furthermore, you should educate yourself about what kinds of human foods are safe and what are toxic for dogs. Also, know that feeding them table scraps isn’t good for their health because if you feed them more than 10% of their daily calories, it can lead to overfeeding or a deficiency in essential nutrients crucial for their overall health.
The other downside is that some dogs will refrain from eating a more traditional extruded diet and hold out for table scraps, which taste better and create an overly picky dog.
If you have said something while looking in their direction or you’re doing something out of the ordinary, your dog may stare at you with confusion. This look is often accompanied by head tilts and curious eyes.
You can simply engage with them and respond positively.
In older dogs, staring into space or at someone can be a sign of cognitive dysfunction or doggy dementia. It happens because they become disoriented and confused about their surroundings. They might even fail to recognize familiar people or objects. This results in prolonged stares where they try to make sense of their environment.
If you think your older dog is suffering from dementia, it's important to consult with a veterinarian. They will evaluate your dog's symptoms and provide proper guidance to help manage their condition.
If an unknown dog stares at you with an intense gaze, it can indicate aggression. It would be accompanied by a stiff body, growling, and tense facial expressions. In such situations, you should stay cautious, avoid direct eye contact, and calmly get away from the dog.
If it’s your own dog that is showing signs of aggression with intense stares, they might be scared of some new people or houseguests. They might even turn aggressive when they are guarding their food or a favorite toy. Even in this situation, you should avoid direct eye contact, keep them away from anything that triggers aggression, and seek professional help.
Pet parents are often confused about what they should do when their dog keeps staring at them. Should you ignore them, or should you stare back?
You know your dog the best and, with time, should be able to understand your dog's body language. It's important to consider the overall context when interpreting your dog's stare.
If your dog has a soft stare with no other signs of distress, then they might be just looking for your attention or expressing affection.
However, if your dog's stare is intense and accompanied by signs like tense facial expressions and growling, it could indicate aggression. This could be either because they feel unsafe in the presence of new people or they’re having some physical discomfort. It’s important to avoid eye contact in such situations and keep them away from anything that triggers aggression. If the problem persists, consider consulting with a veterinarian.
Every dog is unique, and the reasons behind their staring can also vary based on various factors. As a pet parent, you’ll most likely familiarize yourself with their behaviors and understand their body language to interpret the context and intention behind their stares.
If you feel your dog is staring at you too often or they’re exhibiting signs of distress, you can consider taking them to a veterinarian.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about why dogs stare at their owners:
There can be several reasons why your dog is staring at you. It could be a way of seeking your attention, expressing affection, or to communicate a specific message. Some dogs even stare at their owner to observe and learn from their behavior or to seek protection when they feel unsafe.
To figure out why your dog is staring at you, you should understand the overall context by studying their behavior and body language. If you have any concerns about their excessive staring, it's advisable to consult with a veterinarian.
If your dog stares at you when you eat, then they’re probably trying to manipulate you into sharing some of your food. Their soft puppy eyes might be tempting, but you should avoid feeding them table scraps, as some human foods can be toxic for dogs.
While pooping, a dog is in a vulnerable position, and they want you to protect them in case something goes wrong. It can sound weird, but this shows they trust you to keep them safe. And while you may not be able to do anything in such a situation, you can simply let them do their business without unnecessary interruptions or distractions.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-does-my-dog-stare-at-me/
https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/why-does-my-dog-stare-at-me
Reading dog food labels and claims can sometimes feel like rocket science. There can be unfamiliar ingredients, percentages, nutritional claims, and other technical information that you need to decipher.
But that’s why we’re here! In this article, we will demystify dog food labels and common marketing claims to help you understand what’s good for your dog and what kind of unnecessary marketing jargon you should avoid.
In short, we’ll take you from a label-reading novice to a bona fide expert! But before that, let’s start by understanding how dog food labels are created and monitored and who sets the standards for labeling.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO, is a non-profit organization that has set various standards and regulations regarding the production, labeling, and sale of both animal feed and pet food in the United States.
They have established minimum nutrition requirements for pet food to ensure that it contains all the necessary nutrients for specific life stages of the animal. You might have seen an AAFCO statement on your pet food packaging.
The presence of an AAFCO statement on the label indicates that your dog’s food meets the minimum nutrient requirements for a particular life stage. It also gives pet owners an assurance that the ingredient list, nutritional content, and other claims mentioned on the food label are accurate.
Now, you should note that AAFCO has no regulatory authority. It’s the FDA that regulates the pet food industry by monitoring food labeling, conducting inspections, and enforcing product recalls if necessary.
However, even the FDA states that to be "complete and balanced," dog food must meet one of the Dog Food Nutrient Profiles established by AAFCO.
Many dog food labels have ingredients mentioned in the product name, for example, chicken dog food or lamb dog food. To ensure these product names aren’t false or misleading, AAFCO has set certain rules that are as follows:
If a product name says “all-chicken jerky dog treats,” then the product must be all-chicken meat. But with the exception of any water content (added for processing), decharacterizing agents, and trace amounts of preservatives and condiments (added for processing and product stability).
Since this criteria is extremely strict, it’s unlikely that any dog food product, except treats, will meet this requirement.
This rule applies to products that contain the name of a food ingredient, such as “chicken dog food” or “beef dog food.” It states that the ingredients listed in the product name must contain at least 95% of the product by weight, excluding added water.
The remaining 5% can include vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients added for nutritional purposes or product processing.
If the product name contains additional descriptors, such as “dinner,” “entrée,” “recipe,” “formula,” etc., then the ingredients in the product name should contain 25% of the product by weight, excluding added water.
However, the recipe name can split the 25% rule between ingredients as long as each ingredient is at least 3% of the recipe and together the ingredients are at least 25%. For example, a product named “chicken, rice, and apple formula” could contain 12% chicken, 11% rice, and 3% apple.
This rule doesn't require the largest ingredient to be included in the recipe name. From the last example, the recipe could also contain 20% corn, more than any of the other individual ingredients, and not be required to be listed in the recipe name.
However, recipes that only contain 1 ingredient, such as “Chicken recipe,” will have at least 25% chicken. Thus, the fewer ingredients listed in the recipe name usually means it’s more premium.
If the product name contains the word “with,” it means that the product contains at least 3% of the named ingredients. For example, “Pawsome dog food with salmon and rice” must contain at least 3% salmon and 3% rice.
A product can use a flavor designation in its name or label when there is less than 3% of that ingredient in the recipe. For example, “beef flavored dog food” must contain some ingredient that provides beef flavor.
A product can avoid putting ingredients in the recipe name and give it a fanciful name, such as "Yellowstone Park Recipe." There are no rules or requirements established by AAFCO or the FDA in order to use a fanciful recipe name as long as it continues to meet the minimum nutritional standard.
Now that we have discussed a few basic rules, let’s get to actually reading and understanding dog food labels, specifically the ingredient list and the guaranteed analysis. To get started, you should understand some key components, such as:
Dog food is almost always made with multiple ingredients, and you’ll find them all listed on the package of your dog food and on the brand’s website. Some of the most common categories of ingredients you’ll find include:
1.1 Animal protein
These are the main protein sources and the foundation of any good diet for dogs. The best option, however, is meat labeled with a specific type, such as chicken, salmon, or lamb. This indicates that the meat originated as whole-muscle meat and underwent processing like chopping, cooking, etc. This also makes it the most expensive option.
The next step down is “meat meal.” You’ll find this on the label as “chicken meal,” “salmon meal,” etc. This meal is typically a combination of muscle meat, organ meat, and potentially some bone that has been cooked, dried, and ground. It’s a good option because of the combination of muscle meat and other animal parts providing various nutrients from the animal. However, the ratio of these parts in the meat meal can vary as long as the total nutrients are fairly consistent between batches.
The two lowest levels are “by-products,” which is a catch-all for whatever parts of the animal the renderer wants to/can include, and “meat & bone meal,” which could contain pieces of a variety of animals that were either healthy or sick. These two are usually the least expensive animal protein options and are often avoided by pet owners who shop for more premium foods.
1.2 Grains
Despite what some pet food companies would want you to believe, dogs are omnivores, not carnivores. They are able to effectively eat and digest protein and grains, which provide carbohydrates and fiber. However, some grains are better for dogs than others.
For example, grains like oats, barley, sorghum, and brown rice are healthy and nutrient-dense. Whereas grains like corn, wheat, and soy have low nutritional value and are often used as an inexpensive filler in dog food.
1.3 Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, blueberries, spinach, etc., are safe and healthy for a dog. If you come across these ingredients listed on a dog food label, it would be considered a good sign as they contain natural antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
1.4 Fats and Oils
You can also find various fats and oils listed on your dog food label, such as “chicken fat,” “fish oil,” “flaxseed oil,” etc. They are added to enhance the flavor of the food, provide more energy to your dog, and support skin and coat health.
1.5 Supplements and Additives
Dog food also contains various supplements like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, prebiotics, or probiotics to enhance its nutritional profile and support your dog’s overall health.
1.6 Prebiotics and Probiotics
Probiotics are the living strains of good bacteria that contribute to a healthy gut, which may not currently exist in the gut. And prebiotics are fuel for good bacteria that already exist in the gut. If they’re added to your dog’s food, you should be able to find them mentioned on the packaging.
1.7 Flavorings and Preservatives
Dog food can also contain artificial flavorings to enhance palatability and preservatives to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
According to AAFCO, the dog food label must list the ingredients in descending order based on their weight. This means the first ingredient on the list should account for the most weight in a product. Premium foods are usually a source of animal protein, like chicken or beef.
But you need to be mindful of a few things here:
It is not uncommon for some dog food brands to use different names for similar ingredients on food labels. This is done for various reasons, such as market or regional preferences, different processing methods, or for marketing purposes.
Some manufacturers go even further by dividing a single ingredient and listing different names of the smaller components. This is a deceptive technique known as ingredient splitting. It’s usually done for less favorable ingredients with the intention of pushing these ingredients down the list and creating the impression that they are less significant in the recipe.
For example, sugar is a less favorable ingredient in dog food and treats. A brand can divide this ingredient into various forms, such as high-fructose corn syrup, honey, molasses, agave, cane sugar, brown sugar, etc. So if in a recipe, the sugar content is 30% and real meat is 15%, a brand can split sugar into 10% honey, 10% agave, and 10% high-fructose corn syrup. This would allow Chicken to be claimed and listed as the #1 ingredient.
This can be highly misleading when you’re trying to make informed decisions about the nutritional content of your dog’s food. Thus, you should be aware of ingredient splitting, don’t put lots of weight on the #1 ingredient claims, and read the first 5 ingredients in any recipe as that is a more accurate picture of the quality of the pet food or treat.
There is a lot of information you can find on a dog food label to understand the nutritional content and the serving sizes. Firstly, it’s important to look for an AAFCO statement that will ensure the food is indeed “complete and balanced” for your dog's specific life stage.
It is worth noting that AAFCO sets the minimum nutritional requirements for dog food but doesn’t set an ideal standard. Most premium dog foods will exceed the minimum requirements but can leverage nutritional trends and marketing to imply their food is more nutritious than others.
You can also examine the Guaranteed Analysis, a list that highlights the minimum percentage of crude protein and crude fat and the maximum percentage of fiber and moisture present in the food. Depending on the brand, this list can also include information about other nutrients, such as:
Sometimes, the tricky part can be figuring out the serving sizes for your dog. Even though there is a chart of recommended feeding amounts printed on the package based on weight, it’s usually a general recommendation because it doesn’t account for your dog's lifestyle, health, and activity level.
You can consider consulting with a veterinarian to understand your dog’s nutritional needs and the portion sizes of their daily meals.
Some brands include explicit allergen warnings on their dog food label. You might see terms like “contains wheat,” “contains soy,” or “processed in a facility that handles nuts." These warnings are helpful for pet owners who have dogs with allergies or food sensitivities.
But if in case the label doesn’t specify the allergens, you can scrutinize the ingredient list to identify any potential triggers.
As a pet parent, you should be well-versed in reading dog food labels and marketing claims to understand what’s best for your dog’s health. The more important things you can do is examine the ingredient lists (giving priority to the top 5 ingredients), look for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement, and read the Guaranteed Analysis. At the same time, it’s equally important to remain cautious of misleading statements and claims that are used as marketing tactics to attract customers.
It would be hard work at first, but once you understand how to read dog food labels, you can make informed choices about your dog's health and wellness.
The regulation of pet food labels is overseen by both the FDA and AAFCO. While the FDA regulates the labeling of pet food products, AAFCO provides guidelines and standards for the labeling. As per their combined guidelines, a dog food label must contain:
This rule states that products that contain the name of a food ingredient, such as “chicken dog food,” should contain at least 95% of the product by weight, excluding added water.
The remaining 5% can include vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients added for nutritional purposes or product processing.
This rule states that product names that say something like “all-chicken jerky dog treats” must be all-chicken meat. But with the exception of any water content (added for processing), decharacterizing agents, and trace amounts of preservatives and condiments (added for processing and product stability).
You should note that this criterion is extremely strict, and it’s unlikely for any dog food product, except treats, to meet this requirement.
If the product name contains additional descriptors, such as “dinner” or “formula,” then the ingredients in the product name should contain at least 25% of the total product weight, excluding added water.
However, the recipe name can split the 25% rule between ingredients as long as each ingredient is at least 3% of the recipe and together the ingredients are at least 25%. For example, a product named “chicken, rice, and apple formula” could contain 12% chicken, 11% rice, and 3% apple.
The 4 most important items that should be included on a pet food label are the product & brand name, net weight, ingredients list, and a Guaranteed Analysis.
Sources:
https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-to-read-a-dog-food-label/
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food
A majority of your dog’s immune system is related to their gastrointestinal tract. So, for a happy and healthy dog, it becomes crucial for pet parents to prioritize the digestive health of their pups. Fortunately, you have a powerful tool at your disposal - Prebiotics!
By now, you may have already heard about how prebiotics are good for people, but do you know they’re also great for your dog? In this article, we’ll take a much deeper look into how exactly prebiotics can help support or improve your dog’s overall health. We’ll also share some natural prebiotic-rich foods that you can easily share with your dog.
First, let’s start by understanding what prebiotics are and how they work.
In simple terms, prebiotics are a food source for good or beneficial gut bacteria. They are essentially soluble fibers that do not get digested in your dog’s body. Instead, they pass through the digestive system intact and reach the intestine.
Therefore, the presence of prebiotics is important for the growth and activity of the beneficial bacteria that maintain a healthy gut environment and support digestive health.
Both prebiotics and probiotics work together in order to maintain a healthy gut and digestive system in dogs. However, they aren’t the same thing. While prebiotics are a type of soluble fiber that serves as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut, probiotics are live microorganisms or strains of beneficial bacteria.
In short, probiotics are live, naturally occurring bacteria found in the gut, and prebiotics are their food. Now, naturally, your dog will have billions of beneficial bacteria in their stomach, but their population can decline due to various factors, including stress, illness, age, etc.
Also, there are lots of different kinds of probiotics, and some may not exist with certain dogs, or some have declined while others are fine. Adding more diversity of good bacteria/probiotics is another reason to incorporate supplements. It’ll help restore the population of beneficial bacteria and support their digestive health.
On the other hand, including prebiotic supplements would help in promoting the growth and activity of these beneficial bacteria.
Some pet owners also choose to give a combination of prebiotics and probiotics to their dogs to support their digestive health. However, it’s recommended to talk to a veterinarian and understand your dog’s health conditions and digestive concerns before adding any supplements to their diet.
Chances are you’re feeding your dog a healthy and well-balanced diet, which may already include some natural prebiotics. So, do you need to give them more prebiotics? To answer this question, you should understand your dog’s health condition and see if they exhibit signs of:
In any of these cases, your dog might benefit from additional prebiotics in their diet. Moreover, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian if your dog has any health conditions and you want to supplement their diet with prebiotics.
Below are the 6 amazing health benefits your dog can enjoy with a prebiotic supplement:
Prebiotics are a source of fuel for beneficial gut bacteria like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. It allows them to grow and thrive while also inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria like E. coli. This helps maintain a healthy gut environment and promotes the overall gut health of your dog.
Furthermore, the beneficial bacteria consume the prebiotics through fermentation, which results in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These acids provide energy to the cells lining the intestinal wall, which promotes the proper functioning of the gut barrier. They also possess some great anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce gut inflammation.
Prebiotics are often recommended for dogs with digestive problems, including diarrhea, constipation, IBS, etc. It’s because prebiotics can help regulate bowel movements and improve stool consistency.
Prebiotics can help improve your dog’s immune function by supporting their gut microbiome. It restricts the overgrowth of bad bacteria, which in turn improves their immune function. Also, prebiotics can contribute to enhanced immune cell activity and the production of immune-boosting substances, including antibodies.
Prebiotics promote the growth of good gut bacteria, which plays an important role in breaking down food and extracting its nutrients. Additionally, prebiotics help in creating a favorable environment in the intestines for nutrient absorption by maintaining an optimal pH level.
Prebiotics can help maintain a healthy weight by supporting your dog’s digestive health. Their ability to create a balanced gut microbiome can also help in improving metabolic function and reduce the risk of obesity in dogs.
Prebiotics are soluble fibers that can help maintain proper blood sugar levels by slowing down digestion and the absorption process. This makes them beneficial supplements for dogs who have diabetes.
Many commercial dog food brands have started adding prebiotics to their recipes. Some of the most commonly found prebiotics in pet food include:
When you’re buying food for your dog, you should read the label and examine the ingredient list to figure out if it contains prebiotics. You can look for any of the above-mentioned prebiotic names mentioned on the label.
Many dog food brands don't call out the specific type of prebiotic found in the food. In such cases, you can look for ingredients that we have listed in the next section.
You can also consult with your veterinarian about specific dog food brands that offer the best prebiotic supplements.
Note:
Some probiotic supplements contain maltodextrin, a sugar compound that has prebiotic effects. You need to be careful about this prebiotic as it’s considered harmful to dogs. That’s mainly because it can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels and, in the long run, can cause diseases like diabetes or obesity.
If your dog often suffers from digestive problems, you should consult with a veterinarian and talk about adding prebiotic supplements to their diet. However, you can also add some natural sources of prebiotics into a dog's diet to support their digestive health.
Some of the best natural prebiotic sources for dogs include:
Bananas contain both fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin. These prebiotics can be beneficial for your dog’s digestive and gut health. Plus, you can easily add this fruit to your dog’s diet as an occasional treat.
Chicory roots are a rich source of prebiotic fiber inulin. They can be highly effective in supporting the growth and activities of good bacteria in a dog’s gut.
To incorporate chicory root into your dog's diet, you can either buy packed chicory root or chicory root powder and sprinkle or grate it over your dog’s regular meal. You can also roast the roots to make a crunchy treat for your dog.
Another convenient way is to buy dog food that already contains chicory roots. Many commercial dog food brands have started using chicory roots in their recipe because of the inulin.
Oats contain prebiotic fiber beta-glucan, which is healthy for your dog’s digestive system and immune function. Thus, you can consider making them oatmeal at home once in a while. Just remember to avoid feeding them raw oats, as they can be hard to digest.
More than half of the fiber content in an apple comes from a substance called pectin. It’s a prebiotic that can help feed the beneficial bacteria and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in your dog’s gut.
You just need to wash and peel the apples before serving, which makes this fruit another hassle-free option for pet owners. However, you need to be cautious about the seeds, stem, and core of the apple as it contains small amounts of cyanide.
If in case your dog accidentally eats a few seeds, there shouldn’t be any fatal consequences. But you should still remove these parts before feeding an apple slice to your dog.
Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries contain soluble fibers like pectin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which act as prebiotics in the gut. Plus, dogs often find these fruits highly appetizing, making them enjoyable treats for every season.
Mushrooms contain various carbohydrates with prebiotic properties, such as chitin, hemicellulose, mannans, xylans, and beta-glucans. However, the prebiotic content of mushrooms may vary depending on the species and growing conditions.
Some common mushroom species with high amounts of prebiotics include:
Also note that while all these species of mushrooms are generally considered safe for dogs, you should buy them from a store and avoid picking any wild mushrooms. It’s because sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between different species of mushrooms, and confusing a toxic mushroom with an edible one can have severe consequences for your dogs.
Pumpkin is considered super healthy for dogs, mainly because of its high soluble fiber content, which has prebiotic properties. It can help improve your dog’s digestive health by preventing both diarrhea and constipation.
It’s also a versatile fruit that can be served in various ways. You can make pumpkin puree and use it as a food topper or freeze it in molds to make fun treats. You can also stuff the puree in your dog’s Kong toy to keep your dog busy and active.
Just remember to use plain and cooked pumpkin that doesn’t contain any added seasoning, as that can be harmful to your dog’s health. You can also buy a canned pumpkin that doesn’t have other ingredients like spices, seasonings, and artificial sweeteners.
Many commercial dog food options contain some prebiotics that may be sufficient for your dog. But if you want, you can either opt for commercial supplements or natural food sources to add prebiotics to your dog’s diet. You just need to be cautious and understand your dog’s health condition and nutritional requirements before making any changes to their diet.
If you have a perfectly healthy dog who eats a well-balanced meal, then you might not need to add any additional supplements. However, you can still talk to your veterinarian if you aren’t sure about whether or not your dog needs prebiotics.
Additionally, if you choose to give them prebiotics, it’s important to start with small amounts and gradually increase the dosage, allowing their digestive system to adjust to the change.
Remember that prebiotics are essentially soluble fibers, and suddenly, eating too much fiber can disrupt the digestive system. It can also increase the fermentation process, leading to excessive gas production, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.
Prebiotics can have numerous benefits for your dog’s health. They can promote gut health by supporting the growth and activity of good or beneficial bacteria while restricting the overgrowth of bad bacteria. It can also support your dog’s digestive health and prevent various health complications.
When selecting a prebiotic source for your dog, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian and understand your dog’s health needs. Accordingly, you can choose prebiotic supplements or consider adding natural sources like chicory root, bananas, or pumpkin to your dog’s diet.
If you have any further doubts about the health benefits of prebiotics for your dog, you can consult with a veterinarian.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about probiotics and their health benefits for dogs:
Whether your dog needs prebiotics or not will depend on their nutritional requirements and digestive concerns. While prebiotics can help support a healthy gut environment and digestive system by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, not every dog requires additional prebiotic supplementation.
If you have a healthy dog who eats a well-balanced meal, then you might not need to add any additional supplements. However, if your dog has sensitive stomach or digestive problems, they can benefit from prebiotics in their diet.
Ultimately, you should consult with your veterinarian to determine whether or not your dog needs prebiotics.
You can either choose commercial supplements or natural food sources like bananas, oats, apples, and pumpkins to feed prebiotics to your dog. You can also opt for commercial supplements that contain prebiotics like FOS, inulin, MOS, or GOS.
If you choose to buy commercial supplements, consult with your veterinarian to understand what would work best for your dog and their health.
There are several fruits, vegetables, and grains that contain prebiotics. For example, banana contains prebiotic fiber inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS); oats contain beta-glucan; chicory root contains inulin; apple contains pectin. These are all powerful prebiotics that can help support your dog’s digestive and gut health.
Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that will pass through your dog’s digestive system intact. They reach the intestine and serve as a food source for good or beneficial gut bacteria like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
Thus, prebiotics help in promoting the growth and activity of these good bacteria while also restricting the overgrowth of bad bacteria like E. coli. This helps maintain a healthy gut environment and supports digestive health.
The time it takes for prebiotics to show results in dogs can vary depending on various factors. But in general, you typically have to wait for a few weeks or months to see a noticeable change in your dog’s health.
Sources:
https://www.veterinarians.org/prebiotics-for-dogs/
Diarrhea is a very common issue that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. However, for a pet owner, it can be frustrating and concerning to see your dog experiencing discomfort.
To help them out, it’s best to first understand the potential cause of their diarrhea and then decide whether the situation requires home remedies or veterinary assistance. This process can sometimes be complex, so we’ll try to simplify everything and explain what you need to know about managing your dog's diarrhea.
In this article, we will discuss what you can give a dog when they have diarrhea and signs to look out for to determine the seriousness of the situation. But before that, let’s start by understanding what causes diarrhea in dogs.
Diarrhea isn’t a disease; in fact, it’s usually a symptom of an underlying problem. It occurs when something affects your dog’s digestive system and its ability to absorb water, nutrients, and electrolytes.
Some common reasons why a dog may develop diarrhea are:
1. Dietary indiscretion
If your dog has eaten something they aren’t supposed to eat, it can upset their stomach, causing diarrhea. It’s especially common in dogs who have a tendency to get into the garbage and eat something that’s toxic for them. This allows the bacteria or other toxins to enter their digestive system, resulting in bloody or watery diarrhea.
2. Changes in diet
Any unexpected or sudden change in your dog's diet can disrupt the digestive system, causing diarrhea. That’s why it’s recommended to transition them from their old food to their new food slowly over 7-10 days.
It’s also worth noting that any kind of digestive issues during a dietary transition will usually resolve within a few days.
3. Food intolerance or allergies
Allergies or intolerance to certain foods like gluten or lactose can cause digestive upset, resulting in diarrhea.
4. Bacterial or viral infection
Infections from common viruses like Parvovirus and Distemper, as well as bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, can cause gastrointestinal infections and diarrhea in dogs.
5. Ingesting foreign objects
If your dog has accidentally ingested a foreign object, like a toy or sock, it can disturb their digestive system, causing diarrhea. It can be a serious situation, depending on the size of the object. Thus it’s recommended to look out for additional signs of intestinal blockage like vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite, weakness, or restlessness.
6. Parasites
Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, or Giardia, acquired through contaminated food, water, or soil, can also cause diarrhea in dogs. In some of these cases, you can even see worms in your dog's stool as white spots.
But if there aren’t any visible worms in the stool, you can look for other symptoms of parasites like weight loss, vomiting, weakness, respiratory issues, and malnutrition.
7. Medications
If your veterinarian has recently started a new medication for your dog, there’s a chance that they can get diarrhea as a side effect. In such cases, you can talk to your veterinarian about the side effects and solutions to correct the problem while on the medication or other medical options.
8. Stress or emotional distress
Stress, emotional distress, or anxiety caused due to any environmental changes or trauma can also trigger diarrhea in some dogs.
Additionally, dogs who are scared of loud noises, thunderstorms, or fireworks can also experience diarrhea. In this case, the problem will resolve on its own when the source of noise is eliminated or the dog feels more safe and calm.
9. Underlying health condition
Frequent or persistent diarrhea in dogs can be a sign of any underlying health issues, like inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, liver diseases, kidney diseases, or thyroid disorders. This situation requires medical intervention for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Most cases of diarrhea in dogs can resolve on their own within a day or two. However, it’s still important to exercise caution and look out for additional signs that might indicate a bigger problem.
You should seek immediate veterinary help if:
the diarrhea is severe, frequent, or continuous and has lasted for more than 48 hours
there’s blood in their diarrhea
you notice other symptoms like loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, weakness, fever, etc
you notice any significant behavioral changes like aggression or excessive whining
your dog has pre-existing health conditions
Remember that prompt veterinary visits can help prevent any unforeseen circumstances. So, if you notice anything unusual or you’re worried about the well-being of your dog, consult a veterinarian.
If your dog has experienced a single episode of diarrhea and is otherwise acting normal, there might not be any cause for immediate concern. In such cases, you can try some remedies listed below to help your dog:
1. Consider Fasting
Withholding food from your dog can sound harsh, but it can be beneficial when dealing with diarrhea. If you allow your dog to fast for at least 12 hours, it will help reduce the stimulation in the digestive system, giving it a chance to rest and recover.
However, it’s important to note that the fasting period shouldn’t last more than 12 to 24 hours unless specified by a veterinarian. Also, if you have a puppy or a dog with certain medical conditions, you shouldn’t make them fast without talking to a veterinarian.
2. Provide Water
Diarrhea can put a dog at risk of dehydration due to excessive fluid loss. If left unaddressed, this can lead to a serious and potentially life-threatening problem. Thus, you need to ensure your dog stays properly hydrated during episodes of diarrhea.
You should keep a bowl of fresh and clean drink water near them at all times. If they are reluctant to drink plain water, you can offer them some ice chips or cubes. Another option is to make rice water by boiling plain white rice in a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 4 cups of water.
This rice water can be really beneficial during times of diarrhea as it provides hydration and has a binding effect on the digestive tract. However, please remember to cool down the rice water before serving and refrain from adding any seasonings, as that can be harmful to your dog.
Also, try to use white rice instead of brown rice when making rice water, as it's easier to digest and has a lower fiber content, which can help provide relief to your dog’s digestive system.
3. Give a Bland Diet
After the fasting period is over, you should feed your dog a bland diet for 24 to 48 hours. The best option is to make some plain-cooked white rice, which is a digestible carbohydrate, with boiled chicken, which is a lean protein. This meal is easier to digest, nutritious, and gentle on the dog’s stomach. Plus, the moisture content and binding effect of rice will help your dog recover faster.
The exact amount of rice and chicken you can feed to your dog after diarrhea will vary depending on their size, age, and individual needs. However, as a general guideline, you should start with a very small amount, 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked white rice with 1/2 cup of shredded boiled chicken. You can adjust this portion size according to your dog’s weight and current situation.
If you’re completely uncertain about the appropriate portion sizes, it's always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian. Also, you should avoid feeding your dog a bland diet for more than 24-48 hours, as this diet doesn’t contain all the nutrients a dog needs.
4. Feed Them Some Vegetables
Apart from a bland diet, you can also give your dog other foods that are rich in dietary fibers, like plain pumpkin, as it will help regulate bowel movements and firm up the stool. But make sure that you’re offering them plain pumpkin that doesn’t contain any added sugars or seasonings.
Additionally, some veterinarians recommend feeding plain boiled white or sweet potatoes to dogs with diarrhea as these starchy foods help in binding your dog’s stool and make it firmer.
5. Offer Probiotics & Prebiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are also called good bacteria, as they help in promoting and supporting your dog’s gut health, digestion, and immune system. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a source of food for the probiotics or the good bacteria.
Both probiotics and prebiotics can help treat diarrhea in dogs by restoring the balance of good bacteria in the gut and enhancing nutrient absorption. You can either feed your dog foods like dog-friendly yogurt that act as natural probiotics or consult with a veterinarian about adding probiotic and prebiotic supplements to their diet.
6. Take them to a Veterinarian
If you’re worried about your dog’s health and none of the home remedies are providing them relief from diarrhea, then you should seek medical expertise. You can take your dog to a veterinarian for a thorough examination to diagnose the underlying cause of the diarrhea.
They can help your dog by prescribing medications, administering fluid therapy, or recommending further diagnostic tests to identify and treat the specific issue that is causing diarrhea.
Although you cannot predict and prevent diarrhea at all times, you can take the following measures to improve your dog’s overall digestive health and reduce the occurrence of diarrhea:
Feed them a healthy and well-balanced diet
Give them regular exercise to promote their physical and mental health
Avoid making any sudden changes in their diet; if you want to feed them something new, transition gradually over 7-10 days
Don’t feed them table scraps, as that might contain food ingredients that are harmful to dogs
Make sure they are drinking enough water, especially during hot weather or after a play session
When going on a walk, don’t let them eat anything unknown or suspicious
Secure your garbage cans and store your household chemicals and medications in a location that is inaccessible to your dog
Try to minimize stress and anxiety in your dog's life by maintaining a safe and calm environment
Vaccinate your dog against common viruses
Practice good hygiene by maintaining a clean and sanitary environment for your dog
Schedule regular veterinarian check-ups to monitor your dog's overall health
There can be endless reasons why your dog has diarrhea. While in most cases, it’s a result of your dog eating something they shouldn’t have, in rare cases, it can also indicate serious problems like bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal blockage, or any other health issues.
If it’s a single episode of diarrhea with no other symptoms, there’s probably nothing to worry about, and you can take various measures at home to provide relief for your dog. For example, you can provide them with rice water to promote hydration and introduce a bland diet consisting of cooked rice and chicken to soothe their stomach.
But if they’re showing other signs of a bigger problem or diarrhea is persistent despite your efforts, you should consult with your veterinarian for further guidance.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about diarrhea in dogs:
1. What can I feed my dog with diarrhea?
Most vets recommend withholding food from your dog for 12 hours when they have diarrhea. During this time, you can provide them with fresh drinking water, ice chips, or rice water. Once your dog has started to recover from diarrhea, you can feed them a bland diet consisting of plain-cooked white rice, which is a digestible carbohydrate, and boiled chicken, which is a lean protein.
You can also give them some starchy vegetables that are rich in dietary fibers, like plain pumpkin and boiled sweet potatoes. Just make sure you aren’t adding any seasonings to these vegetables, as that can have a bad effect on your dog’s health.
2. What to give a dog with bloody diarrhea?
Bloody diarrhea in dogs can indicate a serious underlying problem. Thus, it’s best to avoid any home remedies and consult a veterinarian to determine the cause of your dog’s bloody diarrhea.
3. What kind of fruits and vegetables can I give to my dog with diarrhea?
It is unlikely that fruits will help improve your dog’s diarrhea, but you can give them some starchy vegetables that contain dietary fibers, like pumpkin and potatoes. These vegetables are easy to digest, and they help in binding your dog’s stool and making it firmer.
However, you should only feed your dog boiled and unseasoned potatoes because raw potatoes are much harder to digest, and they contain solanine, a toxin that can be harmful to dogs when eaten in large quantities.
4. What should I do if my dog's diarrhea doesn't resolve despite my efforts?
If your dog is experiencing frequent and persistent diarrhea, it can be a sign of a bigger problem, like bacterial or viral infections, parasites, allergies, or intestinal blockage. It can also be an indication of underlying health issues, like inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, liver diseases, kidney diseases, or thyroid disorders. Or it could also be an issue with the type of food you are feeding.
Therefore, in such situations, you should consult with your veterinarian to identify the cause of your dog’s diarrhea.
Source:
When it comes to choosing dog food, we’re spoiled with choices. There are so many options, from traditional extruded kibble, raw, fresh, and cold-pressed diets. It can be overwhelming to decide what's best for your dog.
What’s worse? There’s a lot of conflicting advice and deceptive marketing that make it even harder to determine the most appropriate diet for our furry friends. That’s why, in this article, we want to give you a comparison of different types of dog food and help you narrow down your options.
Let’s dive in.
Traditional kibble is a popular dry dog food that’s made by combining various ingredients, including a protein source (beef, chicken, fish), grains, fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients. These ingredients are mixed together and then fed into an extruder, a machine that cooks and shapes the mixture under high pressure, heat, and steam.
This process is called extrusion, and it does affect the nutritional value and flavor of the raw ingredients. That’s why some manufacturers add extra vitamins and minerals prior to cooking, knowing that enough will remain after cooking to be nutritionally complete.
Some manufacturers also spray flavoring on the final product so that dogs will become more interested in eating the food. This spray is what gives kibble its distinctive smell.
Below are a few reasons why kibble is popular amongst pet owners:
1. Convenience
Kibble is readily available for dogs of all ages and breeds, making it a convenient and accessible option for pet owners. It’s also easy to store, measure, and feed to a dog as it doesn’t require refrigeration or safety precautions while handling.
2. Cost-Effective
Kibble is considered a cost-effective option for pet owners because it's a complete and balanced diet. This means that you won’t have to buy extra food supplements if you’re buying good-quality kibble that contains a balance of all nutrients.
3. Promotes Dental Health
Kibble has a hard and crunchy texture that helps in removing plaque and tartar buildup from your dog’s teeth. Chewing on kibble also helps stimulate the production of saliva, which can neutralize the harmful bacteria in a dog’s mouth. This reduces the risk of dental problems, including tooth decay, bad breath, and various periodontal disease.
Here’re some potential cons of feeding kibble to a dog:
1. Harder to Digest
Kibble is made by cooking and extruding food ingredients at high pressure, heat, and steam. As soon as the mixture leaves the extruder, it puffs up, and this form makes it more difficult for a dog to digest. When a dog eats kibble, it typically floats in the stomach, absorbs moisture, and expands.
Most pet parents who feed kibble have seen their dog throw up an hour or so after mealtime with large, bloated pieces of kibble still intact. The bloating of kibble in the stomach further slows down the digestion process and can cause digestive discomfort.
2. Lower Palatability
If your dog is a picky eater, you might struggle to find them a kibble that they enjoy. This is because the kibble industry has created many different flavor mixes to put on the outside of kibble to make it appetizing for dogs. Different dogs prefer different flavors and can also get tired of eating the same thing for an extended period of time.
3. Highly-Processed Ingredients
The extrusion method of making kibble involves using high heat, pressure, and steam, which is enough to break down and alter the natural composition of the raw food ingredients. In fact, some ingredients have been cooked multiple times by the time it is in its final form, further degrading the natural nutrients.
That’s why, in order to make the kibble nutritionally complete for a dog, manufacturers frequently use synthetic additives, such as vitamins and minerals. They add a higher percentage than is needed prior to cooking, knowing that most of them will burn off during the cooking process.
These additives do help in making kibble a well-balanced diet, but many believe that getting those nutrients from a natural source is more beneficial.
In recent years, raw dog food has become increasingly popular as pet owners consider it a more natural and wholesome option that mimics a dog's ancestral diet. However, most veterinarians, the FDA, and the CDC recommend against feeding raw food to a dog due to concerns regarding its safety and nutritional adequacy.
If you still want to feed your dog a raw diet, you can either prepare the meal from scratch with raw ingredients like meat, organs, eggs, bones, fruits, and vegetables, or you can buy commercially available frozen raw food, which usually requires thawing prior to feeding.
Whatever option you choose, you should be careful while handling and storing raw food to prevent bacterial contamination.
There’re very few studies and scientific evidence that can help in determining the true benefits of a raw food diet for dogs. But there’s some anecdotal evidence that suggests the following health benefits of feeding a raw food diet to a dog:
1. More Palatable
Raw food ingredients like meat and organs are more flavorful and aromatic than processed dry foods or kibble, which makes them more appetizing to dogs.
2. Prevents Allergic Reactions
Unlike kibble or any other commercially produced dog food, raw food diets usually avoid common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy. This can help prevent an allergic reaction in dogs with food sensitivities. It can also help in managing various symptoms of a food allergy, such as digestive issues, skin irritation, and fur loss.
However, you should know that some dogs can still get an allergic reaction from certain types of meat or vegetables included in a typical raw food diet.
3. Improves the Skin & Coat Health
Pet owners who choose to feed their dogs a raw diet claim that they have seen an improvement in their dog’s skin and coat. It’s mainly because raw food contains a high amount of protein, which provides the essential amino acids required for building and repairing hair and skin cells.
Below are a few cons of feeding a raw food diet to a dog:
1. Risk of Bacterial Contamination
Raw food ingredients, including frozen ones, can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. This poses a risk to both dogs and humans, as it can cause foodborne illness, which can result in some serious health complications, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and in severe cases, organ failure.
2. Can Lead to Nutritional Imbalance
Dogs need a complete and well-balanced diet that contains protein, fats, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Providing too much or too little of certain nutrients, vitamins, or minerals can have negative effects on your dog's well-being.
If you’re feeding them raw food, you might struggle to find the right balance of all of these essential nutrients in their diet. You’ll need a thorough understanding of your dog’s nutritional needs as well as the nutritional content of various raw food ingredients.
Remember that failure to provide a well-balanced diet can have severe consequences, as it can result in nutritional deficiencies or imbalance and various other health problems.
3. Expensive
Good-quality raw food ingredients are often more expensive than other food options. Unless frozen, they also have a small shelf life, so if you don’t use them within their recommended timeframe, it could result in spoilage and wastage.
4. Risk of Choking
Raw food diets frequently contain bones, which can be a choking hazard for dogs, especially puppies and small-breed dogs. These bones can also splinter or break into sharp pieces, which can puncture a dog’s digestive system and cause internal bleeding.
5. Inconvenient for Pet Owners
Preparing a raw food diet for your dog requires a lot of time and effort. You need to plan ahead about sourcing the raw ingredients and prepare to handle those raw ingredients to prevent contamination. It also requires proper storage at the right temperature to prevent bacterial growth and maintain freshness.
Fresh dog food is popular among pet owners who prefer to feed their dog's whole-food ingredients that are free from preservatives, fillers, and other additives. This kind of meal requires minimal processing, and it’s made by mixing and cooking fresh meat, vegetables, grains, and other food ingredients.
Many pet owners prefer to cook their fresh dog food at home, which gives them complete control over the quality of the ingredients and the cooking process, while others prefer to buy vacuum-sealed fresh food packets that have been frozen.
Similar to raw dog food, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence that would state that fresh food is better or healthier than any other form of dog food. However, many pet owners claim that they have seen various health benefits of fresh food, including:
1. More Palatability
Fresh food can be more palatable for dogs as it contains minimally processed fresh ingredients that retain their natural smell and taste. It also contains more moisture than kibble, which can contribute to its increased palatability, as many dogs prefer moist food over dry food.
2. Whole Food Diet
Fresh food contains whole-food ingredients that are minimally processed and usually do not contain preservatives, fillers, or other additives.
Additionally, if your dog suffers from food sensitivities or allergies to certain additives or fillers, you can avoid the risk of an allergic reaction by cooking them a fresh food diet.
Below are a few cons of feeding fresh food to a dog:
1. Bacterial Contamination
Cooking fresh food at home involves handling raw meat and organs, which can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. If not handled properly, these bacteria can cause foodborne illnesses that may result in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and in severe cases, organ failure in both dogs and humans.
2. Shorter Shelf Life
Since fresh dog food doesn’t contain preservatives, it has a shorter shelf life compared to commercial dog food. Depending on the ingredients and preparation method, fresh dog food can last anywhere from a few days to a week in the refrigerator.
3. Expensive
Buying good-quality raw ingredients to make fresh food or subscription services that deliver frozen fresh dog food to your doorstep are generally more expensive than commercial dog food.
Cold-pressed dog food is steadily gaining popularity amongst pet owners as a healthier and more nutritious food option. It’s a dry dog food made by gently mixing high-quality ingredients and then pressing them together at lower temperatures for just a few seconds. This method helps preserve more of the natural nutrients, flavors, vitamins, and minerals.
As a result, your dog gets minimally processed and nutrient-dense bite-sized pieces that combine the benefits of both raw and dry dog food.
Cold-pressed dog food has many benefits, including:
1. Easy Digestion
Cold-pressed dog food is gently pressed for only a few seconds, which allows it to break down quickly and naturally inside the stomach, making it easier for dogs to digest. Also, unlike kibble, cold-pressed food doesn't float or expand inside the stomach, which can help prevent digestive problems like bloating and vomiting. The food breaks down faster to allow for maximum nutrient absorption and minimal waste.
2. More Natural Nutrients
Cold-pressed dog food is prepared at almost 3x lower temperatures than dry kibble. This process helps in preserving the natural nutrients, flavor, and aroma of the ingredients. It also eliminates the need for additional flavors to be sprayed on that are added to traditional extruded kibble to enhance its appeal to dogs.
3. High Palatability
Since cold-pressed dog food is not subjected to high pressure and high temperature, it retains more of a natural taste and scent, making it appetizing to dogs. Additionally, the use of minimally processed high-quality food ingredients also contributes to the palatability of cold-pressed dog food.
While there are many health benefits of feeding cold-pressed food to a dog, the biggest potential drawback to consider is its:
1. Limited Availability
Cold-pressed dog food is relatively new (especially in the US market), which means that it may not be as widely available in stores near your home. However, you should be able to find good-quality cold-pressed food online.
2. Higher cost vs. kibble
The availability of cold-pressed dog food brands is somewhat limited, mainly due to the higher cost of sourcing high-quality ingredients compared to large kibble manufacturers. However, it's anticipated that prices will gradually decrease as cold-pressed food gains popularity.
Ultimately, the best choice of food will depend on your dog’s individual needs. But as a responsible pet owner, it's important that you compare the various food options and evaluate their pros and cons before making a decision.
You can stick to kibble if you prefer the convenience and affordability, but keep in mind that it's heavily processed and may not be as nutrient-dense as other types of dog food. Both raw and fresh dog food can be a better option as they contain more natural nutrients, but they bring the risk of bacterial contamination, and their nutritional adequacy is uncertain.
On the other hand, cold-pressed dog food offers a nutritionally rich and minimally processed alternative for your dog, but it's not as widely available at local stores. Nevertheless, you can purchase cold-pressed dog food online.
If you still have any further doubts about what’s best for your dog, we recommend you consult with a veterinarian.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about different types of dog food:
1. Is raw food better for dogs than kibble?
Both raw dog food and kibble have some advantages and disadvantages. While kibble is a more convenient and affordable option for pet owners, it’s made using high heat, pressure, and steam, which breaks down and alters the natural composition of the raw ingredients, reduces its nutritional value, and necessitates the usage of additives for a balanced diet.
Raw food, on the other hand, contains more natural nutrients than kibble, but it also brings the risk of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalance. It can also be inconvenient to handle and store raw food for your dog.
Ultimately, the decision will depend on your dog’s needs and preferences. In case of any confusion regarding your dog's diet, we recommend you consult a veterinarian for proper guidance.
2. Is cold-pressed food better for dogs than raw food?
Both raw dog food and cold-pressed dog food contain more natural nutrients, flavor, and texture than traditional kibble dog food. But feeding raw food to a dog can be inconvenient for many pet owners, and it also poses a risk of bacterial contamination.
Cold-pressed dog food is a good alternative as it’s made by using a gentle, low-heat process that kills the bacteria but retains the natural nutrients and enzymes in the ingredients and is free of pathogens such as Salmonella and E.coli. It’s also a more convenient option because it’s a dry dog food that doesn’t require refrigeration and is more shelf stable.
3. Do vets recommend a raw diet?
Most veterinarians do not recommend feeding a raw diet to a dog because of the risk of bacterial contamination with harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. If you are making your own raw food diet, vets could have concerns regarding the nutritional adequacy of the diet.
Source:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/feed-my-dog-fresh-raw-food-or-dog-kibble/
Puppies are adorable, but they’re also a lot of work. From providing healthy meals to ensuring their safety, training, and socialization, there is a never-ending list of responsibilities for puppy parents.
And as if all this wasn’t enough, a common challenge that can catch you off guard is the dreaded diarrhea. It’s a messy and concerning situation that requires immediate attention. But why does a puppy have diarrhea? Surprisingly, there can be many reasons for this, and in this article, we’ll uncover the most common ones.
Below we have listed the 6 most common reasons why a puppy can get diarrhea and how you can help them:
Puppies have a sensitive digestive system, and they can experience diarrhea due to any sudden change in the diet. That’s why it’s recommended to always introduce them to a new food gradually. This allows their body to adjust to the new change and reduces the risk of any digestive problems, such as diarrhea.
It’s also worth noting that diarrhea can also be a symptom of food allergies or intolerance. If you have recently introduced them to a new type of food and they are experiencing diarrhea with other symptoms like swelling, itchiness, vomiting, or sneezing, then they might be experiencing an allergic reaction.
What Should You Do?
If your puppy has diarrhea due to a change in their diet, then it will most likely go away on its own in a few days as they adapt to the new diet or once you switch back to their previous diet. But if the diarrhea is caused due to an allergic reaction to the new food, then you should consult with a veterinarian and discuss the cause of your puppy's allergies.
A puppy is more susceptible to bacterial infection since they have an underdeveloped immune system that cannot always help them fight off dangerous bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, or Clostridium.
If your puppy gets exposed to these pathogens through contaminated food, water, or their environment, they could experience diarrhea as one of the symptoms. Some other symptoms that can confirm a bacterial infection include vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, increased irritability, abdominal pain, and restlessness.
What Should You Do?
If you suspect your puppy has a bacterial infection, you should consult with a veterinarian immediately. They can help your puppy by conducting a thorough examination and providing the necessary treatment as per their health condition.
A young and unvaccinated puppy is more vulnerable to contracting a viral infection from other infected animals, contaminated surfaces, or contaminated food and water.
Some common viruses that can affect them include:
Parvovirus: It’s a highly contagious virus that primarily targets the gastrointestinal tract, causing severe and persistent diarrhea.
Rotavirus: This viral infection causes inflammation of the intestines, which can lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. It’s considered a self-limiting infection that can resolve on its own in a few days or a week. However, it’s still necessary to consult with a veterinarian, especially if you have a younger puppy.
Distemper: This is a fatal viral disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV). It’s often caused by direct contact with infected animals and can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including diarrhea.
Canine Coronavirus: It’s not the same as Covid-19, as it’s caused by different types of coronaviruses that primarily affect dogs and can cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.
What Should You Do?
To identify a viral infection, you should keep a close eye on your puppy’s symptoms and note any changes in their behavior, appetite, or energy levels. In case of a viral infection, you’ll see symptoms like fever, coughing, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty breathing, and seizures.
If you notice these signs in your puppy, take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Furthermore, to prevent a viral infection, you should make sure that your puppy receives proper vaccinations. These vaccines are highly effective in protecting them against deadly viral diseases. You should consider consulting a veterinarian to know more about the appropriate vaccines for your puppy and avoid dog parks until your puppy has had their vaccinations.
Puppies can also experience stress, anxiety, and emotional distress that can affect their bowel movements, leading to diarrhea. Some common stress-inducing situations for puppies can include:
Environmental changes like being exposed to unfamiliar surroundings or moving to a new home
Being separated from their mother or their primary caregiver
Meeting new animals or people
Sudden or unfamiliar loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks
Sudden changes in daily routine like feeding times or exercise schedules
What Should You Do?
If your puppy is experiencing diarrhea due to stress, you can try to comfort them by creating a safe space to relax. If possible, you should also try to minimize their exposure to stressful stimuli, like by taking them away from the source of loud noises and chaotic environments.
If your puppy's stress persists, you might have to visit a veterinarian or a dog behaviorist to determine the cause of their distress.
A puppy's natural instinct tells them to explore their environment with their mouths, which can often lead to accidental ingestion of potentially harmful objects. It’s a very common issue, and it can result in a range of problems, including intestinal blockage and diarrhea.
The severity of diarrhea and other symptoms would depend on what kind of object or toxic product they have eaten. For example, if your puppy has eaten toxic food from the garbage, you might notice signs of food poisoning, like vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration. Whereas if they have ingested a small object like a toy, you’ll notice signs of intestinal blockage like loss of appetite, constipation, and lethargy.
What Should You Do?
Ingestion of toxic human food from garbage or any foreign object can be a serious situation that requires immediate veterinary attention. It’s even dangerous if you don’t know what kind of food your puppy has eaten from the garbage because it can be anything toxic, from chocolate, onions, or grapes. These human foods can lead to various complications, including gastrointestinal upset, seizures, and organ damage.
Furthermore, the spoiled or molded food in the garbage can harbor bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli and parasites like roundworms or Giardia. Eating it would increase the risk of bacteria or parasite contamination for your puppy.
Parasites are common in puppies, and they can be acquired from various sources in their environment, like through other infected animals, contaminated soil, water, or feces. Some puppies are even born with parasites if their mother was infected.
Some common types of parasites that can affect your puppies include roundworms, hookworms, and Giardia. Once inside the body, these parasites often cause irritation and inflammation in your puppy’s intestines, leading to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.
What Should You Do?
Parasites often lead to a range of gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, abdominal pain, and pot belly accompanied by malnutrition, weight loss, lethargy, and dehydration. If you notice your puppy is showing any of these signs, you should consult with a veterinarian promptly. They’ll suggest the right treatments and deworming protocol as per your puppy's conditions.
If your puppy had a single episode of diarrhea without any other sign of illness, you might not have to visit a vet. You just need to monitor the situation closely and contact your veterinarian when you notice something unusual, like a change in their behavior or energy levels.
However, there are certain situations that require immediate veterinary help, such as:
The diarrhea is severe or frequent and has lasted for more than 12-24 hours
It’s accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite
There’s blood in your puppy's diarrhea
There are signs of dehydration, such as excessive thirst, dry gums, and reduced urine
Your puppy has a preexisting health condition or is on medications
You suspect that your puppy has eaten toxic human food or swallowed a foreign object
You suspect the diarrhea is caused due to bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection
Remember that a prompt veterinary visit in any of these cases will help prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
It isn’t possible to completely prevent diarrhea in puppies as it can be caused by various factors. However, the following measures can help you improve their overall digestive health and reduce the occurrence of diarrhea:
Provide them with a healthy and age-appropriate diet
When introducing them to a new food, do it gradually and keep an eye on an allergic reaction
Use positive reinforcement techniques like treats and praise while training your puppy
Create a safe, calm, and secure environment for your puppy to grow and thrive
Gradually expose them to new experiences, like meeting new people and other animals
Clean and disinfect your puppy’s living area, including their water bowls and toys
Talk to your veterinarian about adding probiotics and prebiotics to your puppy’s diet, as they can help the beneficial gut bacteria and promote digestive health
Puppy-proof your home by securing the garbage bins and storing the household chemicals and medications in a location that is inaccessible to your puppy
Provide them with chew toys to satisfy their natural chewing instincts and prevent them from ingesting something dangerous
Keep up with their vaccination schedule
Schedule regular veterinarian check-ups to monitor their overall health
Diarrhea in puppies can be caused due to various reasons, including a mild digestive upset to a more serious health condition. As a responsible puppy parent, you should monitor their situation, look out for other accompanying signs, and take appropriate measures.
If you suspect your puppy’s diarrhea is caused by a sudden change in their diet, then consider going back to the old diet and introducing the new food slowly and gradually. But if you suspect the cause of diarrhea to be a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, take your puppy to a vet immediately.
Remember that every puppy is unique, and the causes of their health problems, including diarrhea, can vary depending on various factors. If you’re concerned about their overall health and well-being, you should consider consulting a veterinarian to determine what your puppy needs and how you can give them a happy and healthy life.
1. Why do puppies get diarrhea?
Puppies can experience diarrhea due to a variety of reasons, including bacterial infection, viral infection, stress, parasites, and ingestion of garbage or foreign objects. That’s why you should keep an eye out for the accompanying symptoms to determine the underlying problem.
However, when diarrhea persists for more than 12-24 hours or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should take your puppy to a veterinarian.
2. Is it normal for puppies to have diarrhea?
Puppies have a sensitive digestive system and an underdeveloped immune system that increases the chances of digestive problems. Thus, they can experience occasional diarrhea, but it should not be persistent or too frequent.
In case your puppy is experiencing a lot of diarrhea regularly, you should consult a veterinarian to identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
3. What to do if my puppy has diarrhea?
If you have a young and unvaccinated puppy who is experiencing diarrhea, you should avoid any home remedies and consult a veterinarian immediately. However, if you have a slightly older puppy and they have experienced a single episode of diarrhea, you should monitor their conditions and keep an eye out for the accompanying symptoms.
You should consult with a veterinarian if your puppy is also experiencing additional symptoms that might indicate a bigger underlying health problem.
4. Why does my dog have diarrhea all the time?
If your puppy is experiencing diarrhea all the time, then it can be an indication of a bigger health problem, like an infection, parasites, or stress. In such cases, you should consult a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.
Source:
How dogs digest food is often a mystery for pet owners. We know the process shares some similarities with human digestion, but there are some fascinating differences that make canine digestion unique and intriguing.
In this article, we’ll dive into how a dog's digestive system works and how long it takes for them to digest food. We’ll also share some helpful tips on how you can promote your dog’s digestive health for a happy and healthy life.
Let’s dive in!
Compared to us humans, dogs have a relatively simpler digestive system. Yet it’s a fine-tuned mechanism that allows them to break down and absorb the nutrients from the food they eat.
Below, we have explained the entire step-by-step process of how food travels through a dog's digestive system:
The digestion process starts from the mouth when your dog eats the food. Their 42 large and sharp teeth (28 in the case of a puppy) help them to bite and tear up every kind of food, including kibble, meat, and bones. Their strong jaws that move up and down (not side to side) also play a significant role in initiating the breakdown process.
Also, dogs don’t produce saliva to break down carbohydrates in foods. Instead, their salvia only helps lubricate the food, making it easier to swallow and pass through the esophagus toward the stomach.
Once the food reaches your dog’s stomach, it breaks down into smaller particles and mixes with gastric juices. The purpose of this process is to make it easier for the body to absorb nutrients from the food.
However, the actual absorption of nutrients does not occur in the stomach. It’s just the place where solid food gets converted into a mushy semi-liquid substance. This substance is gradually released from the stomach into the small intestine, where all the nutritional benefits from the food take place.
Please note that sometimes, the food that has already gone down can unexpectedly come back up. It’s quite common in dogs, especially those who eat kibble. This happens when they gobble down their food too quickly and they swallow a lot of air along with the kibble. It causes their stomach to expand, and this condition is commonly known as kibble bloating.
As the food starts moving through the small intestine, various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from the food are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and then transported into the bloodstream. From there, these nutrients are transported and distributed throughout a dog’s body.
The remaining indigestible materials, such as insoluble fiber and some waste products, continue their journey from the small intestine to the large intestine, also known as the colon. This is the place where the water and electrolytes are absorbed, and the fiber is fermented by beneficial gut bacteria. Once all the water is reclaimed, it solidifies and becomes feces.
However, when you’re feeding your dog raw food and vegetables, you might see parts of those in your dog’s stool. This implies that the dog’s body has absorbed the nutrients from the food, and the non-digestible fiber has exited their body.
Feces get stored in a dog’s rectum until it’s ready to be expelled from the body. This happens when the rectum gets full, triggering the contraction of its muscles and pushing the waste out through the anus.
Most vets recommend monitoring the dog’s feces, such as its consistency, color, and frequency, to understand if there are any potential issues with the dog’s digestive health. A healthy digestive system will produce firm and well-formed feces. In case there’s some problem with their health, you may notice changes in the color or texture of the feces, for example, it could either be too loose or too hard.
Ideally, the entire process of digestion takes between 8 to 10 hours. For smaller or younger dogs, it may take 4 hours to digest, while larger dogs may need up to 12 hours.
This digestion process significantly influences a dog's overall health and well-being. During this time, their body is absorbing all of the essential and available nutrients found within the food they eat.
However, the digestion timeline can vary depending on various factors, including:
Different types of foods have different digestibility; for example, raw meat takes less time to digest than highly processed dog food, such as extruded kibble. It’s because the processing and cooking methods can affect the time it takes for the gut and digestive system to break down the food and absorb the nutrients.
Please note that the faster digestibility of raw meat doesn’t make it a “better” option. The quality of the diet and food safety are also important factors to consider when deciding on the best diet for your dog.
Both the size and breed of a dog can influence their digestion time. It’s mainly because large breed dogs have a larger digestive tract, which means the food has to travel for a longer period of time before being converted into feces. Smaller breed dogs, on the other hand, have shorter digestive tracts and, therefore, take less time to digest their food.
Dogs that are more active and engage more in physical exercises tend to have faster digestion compared to less active dogs. It’s because physical activity helps stimulate the blood flow to the digestive organs, making them work more quickly and effectively.
Any underlying health issues, especially gastrointestinal disorders, can significantly impact a dog's digestion time. Additionally, medications prescribed to your dog can also have an effect on their digestion.
If you are noticing sudden changes in your dog’s digestive timing or the quality of their stool, like they are pooping more frequently, then you should consult with a veterinarian to discuss this further.
If you’re a new pet parent, you might wonder how long does it take a puppy to digest food. Is it similar to an adult dog? The answer is no! Puppies have a higher metabolism, which results in quicker digestion and nutrient absorption. Thus, their typical digestion time lies somewhere between 4-5 hours, and that’s why most vets suggest feeding a puppy more frequently than an adult dog. But again, this time can vary depending on their breed and health conditions.
Stress, brought on due to any reason, can affect your dog’s digestive function. It leads to reduced blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract, which slows down the passage of food, or it can disrupt their gut biome, leading to an imbalance of the good and bad gut bacteria, impacting digestion and nutrient absorption.
Apart from that, stress can also indirectly affect your dog’s digestive system by decreasing their appetite, leading to less food intake and delayed digestion.
Your dog's water intake is another crucial factor that influences their digestion time. When their water intake decreases, the blood flow to their GI tract also decreases. This slows down the transit of the food, resulting in delayed digestion.
Whereas drinking enough water helps keep the digestive tract lubricated, which assists in the smooth transit of food through the digestive system. It also promotes nutrient absorption and helps in the formation of firmer stool that is easier to pass during defecation.
While you cannot prevent some occasional digestive issues, you can take certain steps to promote healthy digestion in dogs. Here are 8 simple yet effective tips you can follow to get started:
You should provide your dog with a high-quality diet that contains all essential nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, their food should be free from harmful chemicals, artificial sugars, and fillers, as these can negatively impact their health and digestion.
Being physically active not only supports a dog's digestive function but also promotes their overall health. That’s why it’s recommended that you incorporate various activities like walking and playdates into their schedule to keep them healthy and active.
However, be mindful of your dog’s age and health condition while planning their exercise routine.
Proper hydration in dogs is linked with better nutrient absorption, smoother bowel movements, and reduced risk of constipation. Thus, you should ensure your dog has access to proper, clean, and fresh drinking water at all times.
If your dog is fussy about drinking water, you can give them ice chips, frozen treats, or water-rich fruits like watermelon. But if they are too reluctant to drink, you should consult with a veterinarian to ensure they don’t have any underlying health issues.
Stress has a significant impact on a dog's digestive system. It can reduce their appetite, cause irregular bowel movements, and even lead to health conditions like IBD. That’s why, apart from your dog’s physical health, you should invest in their mental health.
You can try positive reinforcement training, spend quality time with them, provide socializing opportunities, and, most importantly, create a safe and comfortable environment for them to grow and thrive.
This is a common problem in homes with pets. Dogs often beg for table scraps during mealtime, and it can be hard to resist their pleading eyes, but this can cause more harm than good.
In fact, table scraps can often contain or come in contact with ingredients like spices, onions, garlic, or certain artificial sweeteners that are toxic for dogs. These ingredients can cause a range of health problems, including various digestive issues.
You should always feed your dog the right amount of food based on their specific dietary needs, age, size, activity level, and any health concerns. If you aren’t careful, you can easily go overboard with their portion sizes and overwhelm their digestive system, which will eventually lead to issues like bloating, indigestion, and obesity.
Probiotics are the live beneficial bacteria present in your dog’s gut, and prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as food for probiotics. Together, they can provide many benefits for your dog's digestive health by maintaining a healthy gut environment, improving nutrient absorption, and boosting the immune system.
You can opt for natural probiotic and prebiotic supplements like plain yogurt and chicory roots, or you can consult with your veterinarian about the right commercial supplement for your dog.
Taking your dog for veterinary check-ups can help in maintaining their digestive health and overall wellness. You can use these visits to address any concerns you might have regarding your dog’s digestion and get personalized dietary recommendations.
Furthermore, regular vet visits can help detect any digestive issues at early stages and prevent further health complications.
There you have it - a comprehensive overview of how long it takes a dog to digest food. It might be overwhelming to understand everything at once, but you can gradually familiarize yourself with the various stages and processes of their digestion. This knowledge will help you promote their digestive health and prevent various health complications that can affect the overall quality of their life.
If you have more doubts about your dog’s digestive health, please consult with a veterinarian.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about a dog’s digestion and digestive health:
1. How long does it take a dog to digest food?
Ideally, it can take a dog somewhere between 8-10 hours to digest the food. For smaller or younger dogs, it may take 4 hours to digest, while larger dogs may need up to 12 hours.
But, this timeline can vary significantly depending on your dog’s size, breed, age, activity level, and health condition.
2. How long does it take a puppy to digest food?
The digestion time for a puppy is relatively short when compared to an adult dog. Ideally, they need somewhere between 4-5 hours to digest their food, and that’s why most vets suggest feeding a puppy more frequently than an adult dog.
Also, this time can vary depending on various factors like their activity level and health conditions.
3. How can I promote my dog’s digestive health to ensure proper digestion?
You can take several steps to promote your dog's digestive health, such as providing a balanced and nutritious diet, monitoring their water intake, avoiding overfeeding, considering incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into their diet, and creating a stress-free environment.
More importantly, you should schedule regular vet check-ups to ensure everything is working fine and your dog's health is in good condition.
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Sources:
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/how-long-does-it-take-a-dog-to-digest-food/
https://www.rover.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-dogs-to-digest-food/
