A dog’s health is largely dependent on its diet. Particularly careful should be taken to this pet owners who have digestive problems. In this case, special feeds are indicated.
Features
The manifestation of poor digestion in dogs can be constipation and diarrhea, pancreatitis, gastritis and gastroenteritis, inflammation of the intestinal walls. This, in turn, can lead to problems with the coat, bones, and teeth of the pet, which is due to lack of absorption and, as a result, a deficiency of certain nutrients. The animal may become restless or, conversely, lethargic.
The cause of an intestinal disorder is usually the action of a poisonous component or the individual intolerance of a pet food ingredient of a particular food ingredient.
In this case, the use of therapeutic and specialized feeds for dogs with sensitive digestion is indicated. Such products have the following characteristics:
- optimizes the digestive process due to hypoallergenic ingredients and their rapid absorption;
- protects the digestive tract, has a beneficial effect on the gastric mucosa;
- normalizes the functioning of the excretory system, including the liver, kidneys;
- improves intestinal motility, contributes to faster and better cleaning, normalizes intestinal microflora.
The composition of such a feed - only natural ingredients, high protein content of animal origin. However, only dietary varieties are used as the meat component - turkey, rabbit, lean veal, lamb.
If we are not talking about grain-free food, then rice and oats act as carbohydrates.In feeds for dogs with sensitive digestion, a reduced fat content is noted, usually the latter is fish oil.
To improve digestion, prebiotics and antioxidants, dried vegetables and fruits, and flax seeds are present in the feed.
If the dog is prone to weight gain and at the same time has problems with the digestive tract, then she is shown feed with a low content of fats and carbohydrates, grain-free feeds are acceptable. The composition should be dominated by protein and fiber.
If problems with the functioning of the digestive tract are accompanied by kidney diseases (and one often follows from the other), then the amount of protein in the dog’s diet should not be high. Typically, most elderly dogs suffer from kidney failure. The animal’s kidneys cease to cope with their main function - the elimination of toxins, they begin to dry out (lose up to 50-70% of tissues).
In this case it is necessary to ensure that the content of phosphorus is lowered in the feed, sodium bicarbonate is present, possibly an increased content of high-quality fats. But the amount of protein consumed must also be reduced and carefully controlled the water-salt balance of the pet's body.
Despite the benefits and medicinal properties of such feeds, they are contraindicated for small puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs. Naturally, therapeutic food will be harmful if the dog has intolerance to a specific ingredient in the composition.
Manufacturers rating
Consider the Most Popular Foods for Dogs with Sensitive Digestion
Purina en
Food from a well-known manufacturer, in the line of which there are medical products, in particular, shown for problems with the gastrointestinal tract. This food is produced in dry form and in the form of canned food. The composition contains prebiotics, food is indicated for gastritis and pancreatitis.
A feature of the composition is the naturalness of the ingredients and the presence of special processing fats that do not burden the intestines. Suitable for use, including during an exacerbation of the disease.
Royal canin
Food recommended for gastritis and pancreatitis, from another well-known manufacturer. It is characterized by a reduced fat content and a high content of easily digestible protein. It is better to use only during an exacerbation of the disease, it is not recommended for long-term consumption. Not suitable for feeding individuals during pregnancy and lactation.
Applies to feed super-premium, produced in the form of dry granules. There is a variety for puppies (food is released with a Junior litter) and for adults.
This product is characterized by high calorie content, so the dosage of the feed should be strictly observed.
Hills metabolic
The basis is a protein of animal origin, L-carnitine is also present in the composition, which helps to avoid the accumulation of subcutaneous fat. Designed to accelerate metabolic processes. Suitable for animals with intolerance to a particular product, manifested by a disorder of the digestive tract, dermatological reactions (redness, itching). Not suitable for puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs. Available in the form of granules and in the form of canned food.
Pro plan
Premium feed characterized by affordability and high quality. Composition includes high protein (including pieces of jerky) and fiber, has a high nutritional value, normalizes digestion.
Eukanuba renal
Indicated for renal failure. It is allowed to be used both during an exacerbation of the disease (reduces symptoms, accelerates recovery), and as a prophylaxis.
As part of - high-quality protein, minimum phosphorus content. It is indicated for constipation, anorexia, renal encephalopathy, acidosis, and vomiting. Food for pregnant and lactating dogs, puppies is contraindicated.
Please note - different periods of the course of the disease require different dosages and patterns of food intake.
Purina veterinary diets
Another super-premium medical veterinary food for dogs with sensitive digestion (enteritis, colitis, pancreatitis) and kidney disease. It can be used even for pregnant and lactating pets.
There is almost no fat in the composition, but there is natural coconut oil that improves digestion. All components of the composition are easily digestible, so the risk of a disorder is minimal.
The product is considered not just therapeutic, but hypoallergenic, suitable for pets prone to fullness. Release form - canned food and dry granules.
Farmina
Super-premium diabetes product. The product uses duck, turkey, and lamb meat as a source of protein. The feed is enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, contains cereals, vegetables and fruits, and medicinal herbs. The latter have a beneficial effect on the condition of the urogenital, circulatory and nervous systems of the dog.
Brewer's yeast, also found in the product, helps maintain beneficial intestinal microflora.
Suitable for regular feeding, is the prevention of the development of intestinal disorders, gastritis, pancreatitis.
Acana singles
A product for dogs with sensitive digestion, as well as pets with intolerance to multicomponent feed, food allergy to a specific product. It is characterized by the presence of one component in the composition - only lamb, duck or sardine meat. Also in the composition of fiber, easily digestible fats, minerals, vitamins. It can be used as a daily feed.
How to choose?
Such food should ideally be used as directed by a doctor. Among them are those that are prescribed only during exacerbation, and products that can be given to a pet on a regular basis. The first is shown to take at least 2 months.
It is important to be sure of the correct diagnosis (this is why the veterinarian should ideally prescribe the feed after examining the animal).
The same vomiting and diarrhea can be both a consequence of an allergy in a dog, and a symptom of gastritis and pancreatitis. And if with gastritis it is permissible to increase the protein component in the feed, then with pancreatitis this can not be done. On the contrary, you need a product with a low protein content.
It is important to understand that medicinal products are a kind of medicine, they can not be consumed without purpose and unsystematically.
Before you buy, study the composition. It should not have vague formulations (a specific indication of the type of meat), preservatives and "chemistry", soybeans, corn (including their traces).
It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the calculation of the dosage of feeding (usually given by the veterinarian and indicated on the product packaging) and strictly adhere to it. The combination of medicinal food with any other or natural food is unacceptable. Ideally, you need to feed your pet by the hour.
For an overview of dry food for dogs with sensitive digestion Royal Canin, see the next video.
