Common Ailments and Pet Nutrition

Ideally pet nutrition should be about prevention but many common ailments, chronic illnesses and behavioural problems can often be treated through good diet. What you feed your pet can affect even the way your pet smells! Below is a brief overview of how some common ailments can be improved through diet.

Behavioural Problems

Many behaviourists and dog trainers believe that around 20% of animal behavioural problems are related to diet. For example, too much protein, fat or carbohydrates can cause hyperactivity in dogs. ‘E’ numbers and additives can contribute to behavioural problems as can too much sugar and starch. Always read the label of the food before you buy it and take into account that dogs need different types of food in different stages of their lives.

Digestive Disorders

Vomiting, colitis or diarrhoea can be due to allergy, food intolerance, bacterial or viral infections or even poison. If in any doubt please consult your vet. However, a poor quality food can give rise to these problems. It’s best to keep your pet on a good, consistent diet, feeding the same amounts every day. Owners can inadvertently overfeed their pets then find that the pet ends up with vomiting and diarrhoea. Overfeeding will also lead to obesity.

Eczema and Itchy Skin

These problems can arise from an excessive amount of toxins, ingested through a poor diet, coming out through the skin and coat.

Heart Disease

May be congenital nature or can be diet and age related. Salt can cause or worsen heart problems so make sure the food you choose for your pet has just trace amounts of sodium.

Mobility and Stiffness

A good diet will help your pet eliminate toxins that collect in the muscles.

Odour

Again toxins eliminated through the skin can cause an unpleasant pet odour. Foods that encourage the secretion of oils make coats shiny and eliminate odour.

DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained here it is for educational purposes only. The writer of this article and flynnthedog can not diagnose any physical, mental or behavioural condition in animals nor prescribe treatment. We urge you to consult your vet if you have any concerns about your pet.

*With thanks to JM International Distribution Ltd, Holmeswood, Lancashire, for additional information.