caring for your house cat

Changing your dog's regular food can be necessary for a whole host of reasons. The problem is that your dog may have issues with the new food. Since your dog can't communicate with you verbally to tell you that the new food isn't settling well, it's a good idea to know what to look for. Aside from the obvious, such as your dog turning up his or her nose at a flavor that isn't palatable, your dog's grooming habits and skin condition can help you to determine when there might be a food allergy or other issue with the food you're providing.

Stomach Upsets

Your dog is likely going to have an upset stomach every once in a while. When it starts happening regularly, though, that's a problem. Stomach upsets can show themselves in a variety of ways. Your dog may have drastic changes in the potty department, such as diarrhea or other issues. You might find vomit occasionally or your dog could be lucky and only experience gurgling and other noises. Excess hair in the stool or vomit are an indication that your dog may be chewing and swallowing fur, which also leads to stomach upsets.

Itchy, Irritated Skin

Some dogs don't experience digestive problems when they don't tolerate a particular food well. In that case, skin problems can be your indication that there's trouble. If your normally healthy dog is suddenly scratching itself raw or has red, irritated skin, then it's important to examine what you're feeding. Some dogs develop allergies to food slowly over time while others exhibit symptoms right away. Even subtle signs, such as avoiding petting that he or she used to ask for, are important to note.

Personality or Behavior Changes

Your dog is normally sweet, loving, and full of energy, but lately all that's changed. Sudden lethargy or even just an irritated attitude may be your only signs that something is off. If you've had your dog for a while, then you likely know his or her personality really well. Use the information that you have about your dog's usual behavior to keep you alert to big changes that can mean something isn't agreeing with your dog.

Let your vet know what you're seeing when you take your dog in for a checkup. Vets are experts in skin conditions and they can help you to devise a plan that may involve changing out your dog's food. Speak with a representative from a facility like Kenhaven Animal Hospital to set an appointment.