Why daily monitoring is critical to your dog’s special needs diet success
Our dogs are considered family, and their health and wellness mean the world to us, which is why consistent, daily health monitoring is vital, especially when dogs have a special needs diet.
Staying vigilant when it comes to allergies or long-term conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease, can help your canine companion live a longer and healthier life.
What we feed our dogs directly impacts not only their energy but also their coat, stool quality, and overall wellness.
Learning how to be a sleuthhound, no pun intended, can help detect subtle changes before they become a potentially dangerous health condition.
Daily monitoring essentials
There are four main things to watch for continually.
The comfort and appearance of your dog: Watch for excessive itching, weight changes, skin redness, and ear infections.
Appetite and thirst behavior: A sudden loss of appetite could indicate illness, or increased thirst may signify kidney issues or diabetes.
Quality and frequency of stools: A normal stool should be firmly formed and easy to pick up without any traces of mucus. Constipation, diarrhea, or blood in the stool could be signs of distress.
Behavior and energy levels: Look for signs of discomfort, including decreased desire for walks, hiding or lethargy, and unusual aggression or anxiety.
It also helps to have essential pet supplies on hand, such as pet syringes for diabetes management needs and a dog emergency kit.
Along with daily monitoring essentials, there are also special considerations for unique dietary demands.
Special considerations for unique dietary needs
When dogs have distinctive dietary needs, there are a few particular aspects to address.
Food sensitivities and allergies: Being observant of your dog’s skin and coat, as well as any licking or chewing of the paws, may indicate yeast overgrowth, which you should monitor.
Chronic illness: Long-term illnesses such as kidney disease and diabetes will require consistent monitoring of hydration levels and observing urination frequency.
When hydration issues occur, you may see sunken eyes, and the skin should return to its original position immediately when gently lifted and released. A dehydrated dog’s skin will take longer to return to normal.
GI issues: Gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and irritable bowel syndrome, require strict compliance with a low-fat diet while monitoring for excessive flatulence, vomiting, and regurgitation.
Keeping a watchful eye on your pup is essential, along with constructing a daily routine.
Create a daily routine
Formulating a daily routine for your dog’s needs will help keep everything required in an easy-to-follow format for morning and evening.
Morning check: Performing a simple 2-minute check will give you peace of mind for the day ahead.
- Make sure water bowl levels are full
- Look for any signs of discomfort or irregularities, such as eye discharge or ear scratching
- Watch for an eagerness to eat breakfast
Evening check: An evening scan will provide reassurance and insight into your dog’s health that day, helping ensure a peaceful night’s rest.
- Inspect the skin for any redness or irritation that may have occurred during daily activity
- Check the quality of your dog’s stool, making sure it is well-formed and easily picked up
Keeping track: Maintaining a logbook or journal to record and track any changes, including diet, can be shown to your veterinarian.
Know when to contact the vet
Knowing when to contact the vet is vital, and looking for extreme warning signs rather than long-term, subtle signals can help you decide when to contact your vet.
Extreme red flags
Difficulty breathing
- Normal breathing should be between 12 and 30 breaths per minute
- Panting heavily or unusual sounds like wheezing are serious emergencies
- A blue tint on their tongue or gums means they are not getting enough oxygen
Recurrent vomiting or diarrhea
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration
- If you see blood or they can’t keep water down, that can lead to dangerous dehydration
- Look for pale gums, which could be anemia, a tick-borne illness, internal bleeding, or clotting disorders
Severe and unexplained lethargy
- Sleeping more than usual
- Reluctance to play
- Disinterest in food or treats
While waiting for veterinary care, try to keep your dog calm in a well-ventilated room and, if possible, record videos of your dog’s breathing problems to show your vet.
Other red flags to consider include a sudden change in appetite or drinking habits, which can signal serious digestive issues, and sudden weakness or collapse, which should be regarded as a medical emergency.
Chronic subtle changes
Ongoing, soft, or irregular stools
- Any dietary changes, or eating something they shouldn’t, may be the cause
- Anxiety and stress can lead to digestive issues
- Gastrointestinal infections or parasites can be the culprit
Constant itching that doesn’t resolve
- Allergies
- Infections or parasites
- Environmental allergens
Gradual, unspecified weight loss
- Dietary changes
- Stress and anxiety
- Gastrointestinal or metabolic disorders
Our furry companions cannot tell us when something is wrong. They rely on us to know, so we must be vigilant in our observations.
Final thoughts on special diets for dogs
Keeping a watchful eye on our precious pups and tracking their meals, activity levels, and overall appearance can not only reassure us but also save their lives.
Monitor their appetite and stool carefully, because those are the quickest indicators of digestive problems. Constant skin and ear scratching may be due to allergies or food intolerances. So, keeping a ledger that documents daily changes will help pinpoint trends over time.
Our dogs are our fur babies, and we want to do everything we can to keep them healthy and happy for as long as possible. Taking preventive steps daily can help your fur baby live a longer, healthier life.
Julia Nikolaus is a content strategist for an LA-based company. She enjoys working with pet brands and writing about pet care. Julia shares a dog, chickens, and two pygmy goats with her parents on their joined farmette in Columbia, Pennsylvania.