Thursday, November 22, 2007

Signs that Your Dog's Diet Needs to be Changed

How would you know your dog's diet needs to be changed? Who can you speak with to understand more about what might need to be changed concerning your dog's diet? It might seem like your dog is just fine eating whatever can or bag of dog food ends up in your shopping cart, but how can you know for certain that the dog's diet is on the right track?

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when your trying to determine if and when your dog's diet might need to be changed. How does your dog act? Is your dog frequently rummaging through the house for scraps and crumbs? Can your dog comfortably rest after a meal?

A dog with a full belly will be content and after eating a good meal, will have the ability to comfortably take a nap.

Is your dog's excrement thin, runny, or firm? Your dog's diet dramatically affects their excrement. By paying attention during potty breaks, you'll be able to determine if your dog has an appropriate diet.

Is your dog frequently feeling ill or under the weather? If so, you might want to think about what is in your dog's dish. A dog's diet feeds their immune system and maintains your dog's health. Your dog will not function at their best if their diet lacks the proper nutrition and vitamins.

As your dog matures, a change in your dog's diet might be necessary. An adult dog has different dietary requirements than that of a puppy. Older dogs might need senior diets to assist in combating weight or medical problems.

Afer observing your dog, do they seem high strung or lazy? Your dog's diet can influence your dog's energy level. If you take your dog on walks that consist of a few miles, you might need to adapt your dog's diet to accommodate the higher level of activity.

If you keep your dog outside or inside can affect your dog's diet. For example, dogs that stay outside during the winter might need additional food and extra calories in order to stay warm in the cold.

Always speak with a professional whenever you have questions about what kind of diet your dog needs. Always inform your vet of any health or medical concerns. They will be happy to speak with you about the specific pros and cons of various dog diets. Work with your vet to decide if your dog's diet requires a change.

There are a lot of different factors that can influence the possibility that your dog's diet requires a change. Age, health concerns, and even weather conditions can cause the need to alter your dog's diet. Speak with your vet about what the best diet for your dog is. Good education and observation will help you determine whether or not your dog's diet is on the right track.

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