What to Feed a Dog with Malnutrition

To improve a dog's nutrition, owners can usually feed dog food with different nutritional profiles based on the dog's age stage. Additionally, owners can feed their dogs high-protein foods such as canned dog food, chicken, boneless fish, and beef to effectively increase their protein needs. Moreover, owners can also feed their dogs vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, and nutritional supplements.

Symptoms of Malnutrition in Puppies

The symptoms of malnutrition in puppies include: 1) Dogs with nutritional deficiencies have difficulty growing normally, and their bodies are smaller and more fragile than other dogs. 2) Puppies with malnutrition also have issues with hair growth, such as uneven hair growth, rough and dull hair, and rough skin without elasticity. Owners can add a little fish oil, calcium tablets, vitamins, and specialized dog nutritional supplements to their food to supplement their dogs with adequate nutrition.

Signs of Malnutrition in Dogs

The main manifestation of nutritional deficiency in dogs is in their body size. Owners usually measure the degree of visibility of the ribs to assess the dog's body size. If you gently squeeze the rib area and cannot feel the ribs, it means the dog has a balanced body size. If you can clearly feel or see the ribs, it indicates malnutrition. In addition, malnutrition can also cause nutritional anemia, which manifests as pale gums and mucous membranes under the eyes.

How to Care for Dogs with Malnutrition

Dogs with malnutrition can be given probiotics to aid in digestion and absorption. Sometimes it's also a good idea to check if your dog has any intestinal parasites, and conduct deworming treatments as needed. If your dog has poor hair quality, you can provide nutritional supplements and trace elements. If your dog has obvious skeletal development abnormalities, you can give them calcium and vitamin D supplements. For other malnutrition symptoms, consult a veterinarian for guidance on treatment.