Do you feed your pet properly? This is one of the questions that you should ask yourself periodically, since the dog's diet is one of the factors that most influences its he alth, therefore, you should always make sure that through the food you provide you can cover their nutritional requirements, otherwise your dog may suffer from various he alth problems.
Sometimes a nutrient deficit is not caused by errors in external nutrition, but rather by internal problems that prevent adequate absorption at the intestinal level, therefore, any manifestation of a nutritional deficiency must be taken into account. very much in mind.
In this AnimalWised article we show you how to detect nutritional deficiencies in dogs.
Generic symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in dogs
Currently there are high-quality balanced foods for dogs, which are an excellent way to provide our pet with all the nutrients it needs, however, the administration of Poor-quality feed and home-cooked diets without nutritional supervision continue to be a problem, which is why some dogs may suffer from nutritional deficiencies.
A dog whose body has all the necessary nutrients and in the right amounts is a he althy dog, on the other hand, when a dog has some nutritional deficit its state of he alth begins to look diminished.
Generic symptoms of nutritional deficiencies are those that, although they do not give information about which specific nutrient is missing, indicate that the dog's state of he alth is not adequate:
- Changes in thirst and urine output
- Changes in stool appearance and consistency
- Dull coat
- Opaque gaze
- Appetite disorders
- Sudden changes in body weight
- Skin changes
- Changes in behavior
Carbohydrate deficiency symptoms
Carbohydrates are a macronutrient whose main function is energy, therefore, a dog that does not have the necessary carbohydrates will initially show weakness and tiredness general, if this deficiency is not corrected, lethargy will progressively increase.
In the absence of sufficient carbohydrates, the body begins to use fat for energy. Fats used for energy leave metabolic residues called ketone bodies.
The clearest symptom that there is a problem with carbohydrates (either due to deficiency or diabetes) is that the dog's breath smells like acetone.
Protein deficiency symptoms
Proteins have a structural function, they serve to repair, maintain and form new tissues as well as small structures necessary for the functioning of the organism (Immune system antibodies are made of proteins.)
A dog affected by a protein deficiency will mainly show the following symptoms:
- Muscle loss
- Developmental Disorders
- Infertility
- Recurrent infectious diseases due to immune deficiency
- Alterations in the skin and coat
Lipid deficiency symptoms
Lipids or fats are absolutely necessary to form cell membranes, to protect organs and to transport fat-soluble vitamins.
Obviously harmful fats are not suitable for dogs either, who must mainly ingest essential fatty acids, also known as he althy fats.
Lipid deficiency is manifested through the following symptoms:
- Dry coat
- Desquamation and seborrhea
- Infectious disease predisposition
- Weightloss
Vitamin deficiency symptoms
Vitamins are a micronutrient, this indicates that the dog's body needs them in small proportions, however, they are essential as they participate in numerous chemical reactions.
Vitamin deficiency will present some symptoms or others depending on the functions of the vitamin whose contribution is not adequate, even so, the following symptoms are indicative of a deficit of this micronutrient:
- Loss of appetite
- Dermatitis
- Decrease in body temperature
- Tongue Color Changes
- Alterations in the coat
- Coagulation problems
- Neurological signs
Mineral deficiency symptoms
As happens with vitamins, minerals are micronutrients and the symptoms of their deficiency will depend specifically on the functions performed by the mineral that is deficient.
Despite this, some main signs that indicate a deficit of this type of micronutrient can also be established, they are the following:
- Growth disorders
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Anemia
- Recurrent infectious diseases
- Concern
- Weakness
- Dry skin and hair loss
What to do if my dog has a nutritional deficiency?
As happens with many other disorders, it will be essential to go to the vet as soon as possible.
A nutritional deficit is not a trivial matter, because as we have already seen, the lack of some nutrients can even cause neurological disorders.
The veterinarian must initially assess the state of he alth and determine if any of the alterations caused by the nutritional deficit requires pharmacological treatment. It will also be important to identify what specific nutritional deficit is being experienced. simply on clinical manifestations or request laboratory tests.
Finally It is important to seek advice from a professional about which diet is the most suitable for our pet and through which products we can provide it.
