When we think about the food that we eat, we know that what we put into our bodies is important to our overall health and well-being. The same goes for our furry friends. Dog food is specially formulated to meet your pet’s needs, both nutritionally and developmentally.
Depending on your dog’s stage in life, they may benefit from certain types of ingredients and formulas. Here are just a few examples of how your pooch can specifically benefit from feeding them foods formulated for their specific life stage.
Weight Management
If you have a dog that is overweight, it’s important to choose a specially formulated food that is appropriate for their weight loss goals. Many different kinds of foods can be used as part of an overall weight management plan, including foods high in fiber and low in fat, or low-calorie treats made with healthier ingredients. Some of these foods will also contain certain vitamins and minerals designed specifically for dogs who are trying to lose weight.
- Measuring your dog’s current body condition score (BCS) is an essential first step when choosing the right food for them. The BCS scale ranges from 1-5, 1 being extremely thin and 5 being extremely obese or overweight. Knowing where your dog falls on this scale will help give you an idea of what type of diet may be best suited to them depending on how much they weigh compared with other animals within their breed category.
- Choosing between wet vs dry kibble. Wet food typically contains more moisture than dry kibble does, making it more palatable for dogs with dental issues such as tooth decay or periodontal disease because water helps clean teeth better than just eating crunchy stuff all day long any liquid helps whatsoever.
Sensitive Skin & Stomach
If your dog has sensitive skin or a stomach that doesn’t always agree with the food, there are special foods designed to help. These foods include ingredients that can reduce allergies, digestive issues, and skin issues. One of the best examples is Purina’s Pro Plan Formula for sensitive skin and stomach.
Some dogs may be allergic to certain ingredients in their regular food. For example, if your dog has been itching or scratching excessively you might want to try switching him or her over to a different formula. This can help reduce itching and scratching as well as other symptoms like excessive shedding and hot spots (when the hair on the back of their leg gets very oily).
Another common issue is diarrhea which occurs from time to time when there’s something wrong with what they’re eating. The solution here is similar, if it happens once then try switching back and if it happens more often than once every couple of months then switch brands altogether.
Glucose Management
A dog that has diabetes, pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer will benefit from a diet that controls glucose levels. Glucose management is important for all dogs with these conditions. But different types of dietary interventions can be used depending on the severity of the disease.
For example, mild cases of diabetes may only require a prescription diet and exercise to manage their condition. Moderate cases may need to start on an insulin regimen but then be switched to a low-carbohydrate diet over time. Severely diabetic dogs may need to remain on insulin throughout their lives due to complications caused by their disease (such as kidney failure).
Similarly, some dogs with pancreatitis may only need a prescription diet because they’re still able to process carbohydrates normally. Others won’t be able to tolerate them at all and will require special feeding instructions until they recover completely from this condition.
Joint Health
Joint health is a concern for dogs as they age. Older dogs often experience joint pain, stiffness, and even limited mobility because of degeneration of their joints. This can be very distressing to your dog, which may feel like it’s losing its independence as its mobility decreases. Fortunately, there are many ways to help ease these symptoms and keep your dog healthy even as it grows older.
One of the most effective ways to improve joint health is by adding glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to your pet’s food. These ingredients are naturally occurring substances that play a role in the production of cartilage in the body but tend to become depleted over time. It happens due to normal wear-and-tear on bones and joints during activities such as running or jumping up onto things (like bed frames).
Immune System Support
Sometimes the immune system needs a little help. When dogs have cancer or have autoimmune diseases, a specially formulated food can be used to help boost the immune system. This is also helpful for dogs who are allergic to certain foods or environmental allergens and need to be on an elimination diet.
A healthy immune system means that your dog’s body can fight off harmful bacteria and viruses as well as other potential problems like parasites and fungi that may threaten their health. A proper balance of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (including probiotics), and omega fatty acids helps support a strong immune system.
Bottomline
With so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right diet for your dog. Health is a top concern and you want to make sure they’re getting all the nutrients they need. Special diets are formulated with specific health concerns in mind, like joint health and weight management. They also have key ingredients that help support overall health as well as immune system support and glucose management.
