9 Signs You're Feeding Your Dog the Wrong Food
You're standing in the store looking at the wide array of dog food choices. How do you make your selection? Price? Brand? Packaging? With so many options all offering really great promises, making a decision can feel like a gamble. But it doesn't need to be. Bottom line, what we feed our dogs makes a difference. Here are 9 signs you're feeding your dog the wrong food (and what you can do about it).
1. Diarrhea or Constipation
While this may seem like an obvious red flag, some dog owners are quick to assume the dog "got into something" or simply isn't feeling well. Diarrhea or constipation can actually be a strong indicator that the dog and diet aren't compatible.
2. Gas
Along the same lines, excessive or abnormal flatulence (in smell or in frequency) is a sign that something isn't right with the dog's diet.
3. Weight Gain/Loss
Like human beings, our canine companions will gain and lose weight in life based on diet and exercise, so when an otherwise healthy dog is getting a normal amount of daily movement and is still gaining or losing weight disproportionately, it is safe to assume there is a problem with the current diet.
4. Scratching
Dogs scratch, but when dogs scratch all the time, it can be a sign of a food allergy caused by the ingredients in your pet's food.
5. Ear Problems
If your dog has a consistent ear troubles and you've tried everything under the sun, consider whether the current diet is to blame. Believe it or not, gunk building up in a pet's ears can signal allergies.
6. Low Energy
Ever notice how your dog seems a little slower after eating? Have you worried or commented that your dog is suddenly acting more sluggish than normal? It could be because your dog's current food isn't providing enough vitamins or nutrients to support them.
7. Sickness
Speaking of low energy after eating, does your dog get sick after eating meals on a regular basis? Does your dog vomit whatever he or she recently ate? If so, that could be a sign that the current food is not sitting well in your dog's digestive system. 8. Poor or Abnormal BehaviorAgain, just like human beings, our furry friends are deeply affected by what they eat. Consider how you feel after eating a meal filled with heavily fried or fatty foods, or think of what happens after a child has been given too much sugary candy. If your dog is responding to things differently after you switched its food, it is possible that food is the main culprit.
