When you bring home a dog, you may be surprised to find they can be quite sensitive. While some people think of a dog as a four-legged machine that’ll eat whatever scraps fall off their plate, it’s not always that easy. Your pup has needs just like the rest of us humans, They just can’t tell you about them in plain English (or any other language for that matter).
This means it’s up to you to “read” your dog and figure out what’s going on when they’re having tummy troubles or if their skin gets irritated. If your pup has a sensitive stomach, there are things you can do to keep them healthy and happy. Here are some tips to take care of your dog.
Look for Food Made with Real Meat
The first step to finding a food that works for your dog’s sensitive stomach and skin is to look for food with real meat as the first ingredient. Your dog’s ancestors ate raw meat as part of their natural diet, so it makes sense that they’d be able to digest it best when it’s in their kibble. One of the best options in dog food is the Formula for sensitive skin and stomach from the Purina Pro Plan line.
The second step is to avoid foods with corn, wheat, or soy as the first ingredient. These ingredients are common allergens for dogs, and can also cause stomach problems if your pet has trouble digesting them.
The third step is to look for foods without any fillers like grain mill run (often listed on packaging as “ground whole grain”). These are used just as much by commercial pet food companies as they are in human-grade products like bread and pasta.
Fourthly, avoid artificial preservatives such as BHA/BHT, artificial colors such as Red 40 Lake, artificial flavors made from propylene glycol (a chemical commonly used in antifreeze), sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, and salt substitutes like potassium chloride or products labeled “low sodium” etc. All of which can cause an intestinal upset when consumed by dogs whose digestive systems aren’t used to processing these ingredients regularly.
Take Your Pet to the Vet Regularly
A trip to the vet is a great way to ensure that your dog is healthy and thriving. Your vet can make sure that nothing is wrong with your dog, and will also be able to recommend products and diets designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs. If you have any questions about how best to care for your pet’s skin or fur, ask their doctor about it. They’ll be happy to help you out.
A good rule of thumb when taking a dog in for regular checkups is to ask if there are any new procedures or products available at the clinic that would benefit your pet. For example, many veterinarians now offer laser therapy treatments for anxiety issues in dogs. This can help calm down nervous pets who get anxious around loud noises or unfamiliar people (or both).
Regularly Examine Your Pet’s Skin and Coat
Your dog’s skin and coat are two of the most important parts of his or her health. Both can be affected by a variety of things, including diet, environment, or genetics. The skin and coat may also be affected by stress or anxiety.
When looking at your pet’s appearance and condition, it is important to note that several factors could have an impact on their overall health:
- Diet – You should always carefully consider what you feed your dog when making changes to his diet. Dogs with sensitive stomachs should not consume certain foods because they may cause diarrhea or vomiting. In addition, some dogs may be deficient in certain nutrients and vitamins due to poor diets (e.g., commercial pet food) so these deficiencies need to be addressed as well if they exist before you begin a new treatment plan for them.
- Environment – Certain environments such as extreme heat/cold temperatures can cause problems for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Therefore owners must ensure their pets stay indoors where it’s comfortable during hot days without air conditioning systems running 24/7.
- Genetics – If no apparent reason can be found why some dogs are more prone than others then this might mean that genetic factors play a role instead.
- Stress Levels – Stressful situations like moving homes suddenly change routine habits like eating times which might lead up to something like toxic shock syndrome occurring.
Consider an Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal can be a helpful ingredient to use in soothing baths, as it has many benefits for your dog’s skin. Oat flour is great at reducing irritation, inflammation, redness, and swelling as a result of allergies or sensitivity reactions.
Oatmeal contains high levels of beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body. The beta-glucans work by binding to proteins on the outer layer of cells to decrease inflammation throughout the body.
The protein found in oat milk has been shown to reduce redness due to sunburns and other irritations associated with sensitive skin conditions like eczema.
Focus on a Balanced Diet
A healthy diet is essential for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin. It’s important to focus on a balanced diet for your dog, but how can you tell if the food he’s eating is healthy?
A good rule of thumb is to check out the ingredients list:
- High-quality dog food will contain whole foods (like fruits and vegetables), meat protein sources such as chicken or turkey, and healthy fats like omega fatty acids.
- If you’re looking at an ingredient list with more than five ingredients, then it’s probably not a good choice. You want foods that are simple and natural, the fewer ingredients on there, usually the better.
- Make sure that any meats listed are not raised on factory farms or treated with antibiotics. This means that they’re likely grown in clean conditions without excessive use of antibiotics or hormones.
By Following These Tips, You Can Help Ensure Your Pooch Is Happy and Healthy
If you have a dog that has a sensitive stomach and skin, the last thing you want to do is worry about whether or not your pup is getting the right nutrition. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your fido friend gets their fill of nutrients without having any problems.
Your dog’s digestive system will thank you when they eat a balanced diet full of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Poultry products like turkey and chicken are excellent sources of protein as well as eggs which also provide ample amounts of vitamins B6 and B12 that help with digestion.
Fish such as salmon also make great additions because they contain omega-3 fatty acids. It can help reduce inflammation throughout the body including in sensitive areas like skin rashes and hair loss caused by dryness due to dehydration from diarrhea or vomiting.
Bottomline
We hope these tips help give you a bit more confidence in caring for your dog. When living with an animal that has sensitive stomachs and skin, it’s important to keep track of their diet, skin, and comfort. If you notice any changes or symptoms that may indicate something is wrong, don’t hesitate to take your pet to a vet. As always, the well-being of your pet comes first, so make sure they’re comfortable each day by giving them the care they need.
