14 Signs Your Dog Needs a Different Diet

As a dog owner, you need to take care of your pet’s health and wellbeing. You should regularly do check-ups, daily exercises and, of course, you should choose nutritious food for your dog. It is advisable to get to know your pet’s routine.

So when your dog acts differently, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Eating can impact your pet’s behavior. Remember to always buy quality dry food, a mix of dry and raw, and low sodium. If you don’t know what a low sodium diet consists of you can browse a low sodium dog food guide available here.

A bad diet can also be visible on your dog’s appearance. Keep reading to find out what signs mean your pet needs a change of diet.

Table of Contents

Signs Your Dog Needs a Different Diet

Excessive scratching

Scratching can be an external sign of a food allergy and it is a problem that affects many dogs. If your dog has a skin problem (such as a skin allergy or other condition), the best thing is to take him or her to the vet. However, you may need to consider changing their diet. The reason for this is that some foods can cause allergies in dogs.

In some cases, the symptoms of allergies occur in the mouth, ears, or paws. In these situations, you are recommended to take your dog to the vet. However, if your dog scratches frequently and intensely, it may be an allergy.

Bad breath

Dry food and even raw food can result in bad breath in dogs. If you notice your dog’s breath smells bad, there are two possibilities: he or she has a health problem or is eating a bad diet. If you believe your dog has a health problem, such as gum disease, you should take him or her to the vet. However, if the problem is dietary, you should change your dog’s diet.

Although dry food and raw food both have a nutritious value, they may not be able to solve bad breath problems. Try to feed them with wet food instead.

Biting on objects

Sometimes dogs bite things around them because they are bored. However, another reason could be that your dog has a tooth problem. If you notice this behavior, it is advisable to take them to the vet. However, if you notice no other strange behaviors, it could be that your pet needs more meat protein in its diet. This could be a result of a lack of animal protein in their diet. If this is the case, you should try to get more meat protein in your dog’s diet.

You should add more protein to their meals and ensure they get enough animal protein in their diet. It can help if you give them wet food or fresh meat instead of dry food or raw food.

Unusual weight gain or loss

There are many reasons why your dog may gain or lose weight, including illness. However, it could also mean your dog’s diet is not balanced and you should pay attention to any significant changes in your dog’s weight.

So, if you notice that your pet gains or loses weight at any time, you should seek veterinary advice immediately. However, if there is no obvious reason for the weight change, you should consider changing its diet, still, vet advice regarding the change in your dog’s food is recommended.

Skin problems

Your pet’s skin is very sensitive, especially if it doesn’t get the right diet. If you see any changes on your dog’s skin, it could be due to various reasons including parasites, allergies, or even changes in diet. Before taking your dog to the vet, try changing its diet first by adding more fiber or vegetables to it. Sometimes these simple changes can be enough to solve any skin issues that your dog has been having.

There are many types of skin problems that can affect dogs, including itching and scabs. So always make sure that they are healthy before changing their food.

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Constant diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused by many things including a change in diet or stress. If you notice that your pet keeps having diarrhea after every meal, it could mean they have a digestive problem. If this is the case, you should consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible. However, if your dog only has diarrhea occasionally and it goes away once they are finished eating, it could be a case of intolerance and you should consider changing its diet first.

Allergy symptoms

Another common sign of dietary intolerance is vomiting and constant itching. In these cases, it is best to consult with an expert before changing the diet of your pet. However, if all else fails and you notice these symptoms after every meal, it may be best to change their diet themselves first to see if it helps alleviate their symptoms.

In conclusion, if your dog eats too quickly, has bad breath, constant itching or scratching, diarrhea, or vomiting, consider changing its diet. Sometimes it is just a case of intolerance that can be solved with a change of diet. However, always consult with a vet if you have any doubts about your dog’s health.

Excessive Stools

When your pet poops more than usual, it is a sign that something is wrong with its diet. Excessive shits can cause diarrhea in dogs and other gastrointestinal issues. The problem may originate from the type of food you are giving or the food quality.

Regurgitation

Another sign is vomiting. Regurgitation is not only unpleasant but very dangerous for your dog. It can cause dehydration, vomiting, and other problems. There are many regurgitation causes, including a diet change, stress, anxiety, and even heart problems.

Tongue Color Changes

As you might know, pink is the normal color of a dog’s tongue. A reddish-brown color indicates that your pet has been eating too much of something toxic. However, if your dog’s tongue is white, gray, or black, it means that something is wrong with its diet. This condition can also be a sign of an illness.

Here, you should remember that some breeds have black or blue tongue such as a Chow chow, so, make sure before concluding it.

Dry Skin

Your pet can develop dry skin due to a poor diet. Dogs with sensitive skin should be given a grain-free diet to maintain their hydration level. They might need this because their food lacks essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.

Thick Fur

The thick fur is another sign that your pet needs a different diet. If your dog has too many oily meals, its fur will get greasy and dirty which can cause itching and interfere with your dog’s daily routine. Too much fat can also lead to pancreatitis.

Wrinkles and Dry Eyes

If you notice wrinkles on your dog’s skin and dry eyes, it could be a result of a bad diet. It is recommended to give your pet food that contains antioxidants such as blueberries, green tea, pomegranate, and cranberry. Also, avoid giving your dog too much salt as it can cause eye dryness.

Constant Panting

Panting is one of the signs that your pet needs a different diet. If you find yourself wondering why the heck your dog is panting, try to find out if it is warm or not. If yes, check if its water bowl is filled up with fresh water and make sure the supply of fresh water is not stopped.

If it is not hot outside and your dog’s water bowl is empty, try to figure out why it is panting. It could be caused by a bad diet or other health issues.

Conclusion

Just like humans, dogs need a good, healthy, balanced diet to maintain good health. Now it is important to note that dogs can’t eat the same things that we humans do, so make sure you do some research on what dogs can and can’t eat. Not only can it cause them minor health issues but it can also cause them to get really sick and die.

No pet owner wants that to happen to their furry companion, so make sure you really research what to feed your dog. These minor problems are usually because your dog will be deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral. Thankfully, these problems are easily fixed by adjusting your pet’s diet.

If you feel that there is a more serious underlying issue, make sure to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. Dogs are man’s best friend, so make sure to take care of yours and feed them as healthily as possible.

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