Health through nutrition
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian,
Just as every dog has a unique paw-sonality, they each also have unique health needs and sensitivities too - which is why a 'one size fits all' approach to nutrition isn't always appropriate.
If your pet is predisposed to a certain health condition, such as itchy skin or being overweight, they could benefit from a tailored Royal Canin Care Nutrition formula as part of their overall management plan.
Select your dog's main health concern
If your pet appears unwell, we always recommend visiting your veterinarian for a check up before trying any new foods or treatments.
Sensitive or itchy skin
- Allergens in the environment or in food can trigger itchy, red or irritated skin in sensitive dogs, causing scratching which then damages the protective skin barrier.
How nutrition can help
Nourish the skin barrier
Feeding a diet with the right balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, including GLA, EPA and DHA can help to restore the skin's natural barrier for reduced flaking, itching and dryness.
Reduce the risk of food allergies & adverse reactions
Reduced allergen formulas free of common triggers like beef and chicken proteins may help to reduce skin allergies and itching in dogs prone to food adverse reactions or allergies.
Recommendations
A reduced allergen formula fortified with nutrients to support and nourish the natural barrier function of the skin including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
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Regular shampooing with a gentle, moisturising, hypoallergenic formula like Aloveen can help to soothe itching and remove allergens from the skin.
After bathing, apply a moisturising leave in treatment like Episoothe Conditioner to help nourish and re establish the skin barrier.
Want to learn more? Read about managing sensitive and itchy skin in dogs.
Sensitive digestion
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- Signs of sensitive digestion in dogs can include regular runny stools and excessive gas production due to fermentation of proteins and other unabsorbed nutrients in the gut.
How nutrition can help
Highly digestible formulas
Foods which are designed and tested to be highly digestible, with highly digestible proteins, can help to reduce gas and form smaller, firmer stools in dogs with sensitive digestion.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are nutrients, such as dietary fibres, which nourish the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Foods with a balanced blend of prebiotic fibres can help to promote better gut health.
Recommendations
A highly digestible food with a specialised blend of prebiotic fibres to support digestive tract health, promote balanced microbial flora and improve stool quality in dogs with digestive sensitivities.
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This multi strain probiotic can be used to help support and establish healthy gut microflora for better digestive health in puppies and adult dogs.
For dogs with digestive sensitivities, Tasty Bones are a great chewing alternative to high fat treats or bones.
Want to learn more? Read about the main causes of diarrohea in dogs.
Anxiety
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- As members of our families, dogs are often exposed to new and sometimes stressful situations such as long distance travel, the arrival of a new baby or being left home alone while we are at work. Managing anxieties in dogs most often requires a multi modal approach, using tools like nutrition, pheremones, behavioural training and sometimes medication to achieve the best results.
How nutrition can help
Natural stress relieving ingredients
Recent studies have shown that fish protein hydrolysate (formed when proteins are broken down into some of their component amino acids and peptides) can have a similar relaxing effect to anti anxiety medications. Feeding a diet with added fish protein hydrolysate may lower your dog's overall stress levels and help them to better adapt to stressful situations.
Recommendations
A premium quality dog food with fish hydrolysate, a natural supplement derived from fish protein which has demonstrated proven results for managing stress in dogs.
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Continuously releases a synthetic version of dog appeasing pheromone to promote feelings of calm and well-being in your dog or puppy.
Helps to calm your dog by applying constant gentle pressure to the sides of the body, scientifically proven to help relieve anxiety and fearfulness in dogs.
Want to learn more? Read more about managing separation anxiety in dogs.
Joint & mobility support
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- Joint sensitivity affects up to 45% of large breed dogs. Early symptoms include being less active, reluctant to climb stairs or stiff when rising from rest. Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for the development of arthritis in dogs.
- Arthritis, the most common cause of joint sensitivity in dogs, is characterised by a loss of joint cartilage and the formation of 'osteophytes' which are new pieces of bone laid down in an effort to protect the joint surface. Low grade inflammation occurs when destructive enzymes within the joint start to break down the cartilage.
How nutrition can help
Nourish joint cartilage & reduce inflammation
A diet enriched with anti inflammatory ingredients, such as omega fatty acids from fish oil, turmeric or green tea polyphenols, can help to reduce joint inflammation and improve mobility. Other nutrients like chondroitin, hydrolysed collagen and glucosamine may also help to improve joint health by acting as the building blocks for healthy cartilage.
Support a lean body condition
Feeding a food with a moderate energy content, at the right amount, will help to keep your dog in a healthy lean body condition, which is highly important for managing joint sensitivity and arthritis in dogs. For dogs who are severely overweight or obese with concurrent joint problems, we recommend talking to your vet about a therapeutic veterinary diet to fast track their weight loss.
Recommendations
A moderate energy formula with anti inflammatory green tea polyphenols alongside chondroitin and hydrolysed collagen to nourish cartilage.
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Petlife Ortho Quilted Mattress
Support sensitive joints with this odour resistant mattress made with pressure absorbing foam and a quilted cover.
Take the pressure off your dog's sensitive joints by using this ramp to assist them into the car or up the stairs
Want to learn more? Read about managing arthritis in dogs.
Weight management
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- Being overweight or obese can predispose your dog to a number of health conditions, including osteoarthritis, skin problems and urinary tract disease, so it is important to take steps to keep your pooch at a healthy weight.
How nutrition can help
Promote a lean body condition
Feeding a diet which has higher levels of quality protein alongside reduced calorie and fat levels can help to promote weight loss while retaining lean muscle condition. When feeding for weight management, it's important to get the daily feeding amount right so make sure you check the recommendations on the pack and ask your vet if you're not sure. For dogs who are severely overweight or obese with concurrent joint problems, we recommend talking to your vet about a therapeutic veterinary diet to fast track their weight loss.
Help you dog feel fuller for longer
Adding insoluble and soluble fibres to the diet can help to fill your dog's stomach, keeping them feeling full between meals and reducing their likelihood to beg for food.
Recommendations
Weight Care contains high levels of quality protein with lower levels of fat and calories and an optimal blend of soluble and insoluble fibres to support a healthy weight.
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This smart bowl precisely measures the weight of each meal to help you keep track of your dog's food intake and prevent overfeeding.
Tracking your dog's daily activity levels can help you develop and stick to a daily feeding and exercise routine.
Want to learn more? Read our tips to help your dog lose weight.
Dental health
- Bad breath is often the first sign of periodontal disease, a condition which affects 85% of dogs over 4 years of age. In the early stages of periodontal disease, a build up of plaque and tartar along the gumline result in gingivitis (inflammation of the gum). Left unchecked, this can then progress to periodontitis, a painful inflammatory condition which destroys the structures supporting the teeth.
Key nutritional factors
Scrub the teeth with every chew
Just as a tooth brush mechanically scrubs plaque off the surface of the teeth, feeding a dry food with a precisely engineered kibble shape, size and texture can help to manage dental health in pets.
Limit tartar build up
Over time, plaque on the teeth reacts with calcium to form hard tartar, which sits on the gumline and contributes to the progression of periodontal disease. Some dental health foods contain an added ingredient which helps to bind salivary calcium and hence reduce tartar formation on the teeth.
Recommendations
Proven to reduce dental tartar accumulation by up to 69% when fed exclusively, this food has a unique kibble shape, size and texture that scrubs the surface of the teeth with each chew.
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For best results, combine a dental food with daily toothbrushing using a pet specific toothpaste and toothbrush to keep plaque at bay.
Like mouthwash for dogs, Hexarinse can be used daily after meals to help reduce dental plaque and tartar build up.
Want to learn more? Read about dental care for dogs.
Further Reading
Premium pet food: Is it worth it?
Teach your puppy to walk on a lead
Your guide to fleas, ticks and worms
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.