As any vet will tell you, there are a number of health problems found in dogs that are related directly to diet. Since helping dogs enjoy healthy and happy lives is a key part of our mission, we want to highlight several of the conditions that fall into this category:
1. Pancreatitis
This condition occurs when the pancreas gets inflamed and digestive enzymes start flowing into the abdominal area. Those enzymes then start breaking down proteins and fats in other organs and the pancreas. Dietary fat has been linked to a higher risk of developing this condition. Ensuring your dog keeps its fat intake to a minimum will reduce that risk.
2. Heart Disease
As with humans, heart disease is unfortunately a fairly prevalent issue with dogs. One of the leading causes of this disease is increased sodium. The reason getting too much salt can lead to heart disease is blood vessels will retain more water, which in turn increases blood pressure. Since table scraps often have a lot of sodium, this is one of several reasons why feeding them to your dog isn’t the best idea.
3. Bladder Stones
There are multiple types of bladder stones that dogs can develop. But they tend to cause the same issues, including straining to urinate, urinary accidents and discolored urine. Getting an adequate amount of both phosphorus and calcium without going overboard is the best prevention against these stones.
4. Diarrhea
Although this condition may not be as pressing as the others, it’s still a problem. Before we address why, it’s worth noting that diarrhea (especially if it includes bloody stool) can signal a very serious health condition. If you have any concerns about your dog’s diarrhea, it’s always best to err on the side of caution by contacting your vet. For cases of diarrhea not caused by a serious health problem, effective solutions include ensuring your dog eats at consistent times during the day and gets enough fiber.
5. Obesity
Not only is a significant percentage of the US human population affected by obesity, but more than fifty percent of all dogs suffer from it as well. This condition increases their risk for everything from higher blood pressure to arthritis. In addition to getting plenty of exercise, giving your dog food that has the right nutrients without an excess of calories is key.
An Important Note About Freshness
If you look at the ingredients in our food, you’ll see that we go to great lengths to provide the optimal balance for dogs’ health. Additionally, freshness is one of our top priorities. By making our food fresh every month, we’re able to ensure that all the nutrients in our food remains active and actually does what it’s supposed to in regards to helping dogs.
