Sometimes we meet dogs that have been abandoned on the street and are malnourished. Restoring the health of this dog is a responsibility, but first of all, we need to know what the care and feeding of a malnourished dog are all about.
Unfortunately, more and more dogs are being abandoned every day and that is why we find things like this. Feeding a malnourished dog This is a good deed, but it should not be done in any way. The dog was hungry and his stomach may not be ready for certain foods or large meals. It is important to know how to feed and care for him so that he does not become ill.
A malnourished dog will have many health problems. We will usually see his ribs and notice how easy it is to be low in weight. These dogs have low defences, so you may have caught an illness. Skin and coat problems are common because they don’t get the necessary nutrients to be in great condition.
This is another sign a dog has this problem is weakness. Dogs that don’t eat much will remain lethargic for a long time, so it is normal for them to barely move and sleep a lot in the first few days because they won’t have the energy to play. Many even have difficulty getting up. These dogs may also regularly have vomiting and diarrhoea. This is because the stomach has been exposed to a lack of food and because dogs tend to eat everything they find, which is usually rubbish and things that hurt their stomach.
Go to the vet
Depending on the condition of the dog, we can look after it directly at home or will even feed it parenterally at the vet. However, a visit to these specialists is always necessary to determine the dog’s overall condition. A malnourished dog can suffer from severalnesses or eat things that are very harmful to them. They can have everything from scabies to distemper to anaemia. Every case is different, so we always need to put ourselves in the hands of professionals who can guide us better when it comes to caring for that malnourished dog. The vet will not only look at possible illnesses but will also take into account that there may be a nutritional deficiency or something that will cause him to be on a particular diet that we do not know about. Usually, these dogs will have a blood test to check their general health.
Feeding a malnourished dog
Food is a key part of the recovery of a dog suffering from malnutrition. Precisely, the dog is in this condition due to a prolonged lack of food. However, we must remember this is not about uncontrolled overfeeding of the dog. On the contrary, we must be very careful when giving him food so that he does not suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhoea or vomiting, which can further weaken him.
You must buy a high-quality feed. Your vet may recommend some food to help them recover, as they are specially formulated for this purpose. A file I think of high-end puppies is also often used. These foods are rich in nutrients for a growing dog, helping any malnourished dog to recover, even an adult dog. In addition, these foods tend to be softer and smaller, making them ideal for a weak dog. The food should be mixed dry and wet to give the dog more fat and water.
Inlets must be small and spaced to allow the dog to digest well. Do not take a single intake per day, as this is heavier on the stomach and can be bad for digestion or vomiting. With small meals, your dog will digest them better and have energy throughout the day. It is also very important to provide fresh, clean water throughout the day. Sometimes it is advisable to give the dog a drink with mineral salts to help it recover if it has suffered from diarrhoea.
Caring for a malnourished dog
A malnourished dog not only needs daily food to recover. It is important that we also provide you with trust and affection every day. These abandoned dogs are usually suspicious at first, but once they start receiving care, we will see a change in their mood, which is also something we need to look at. Many dogs are debilitated to the point where they stop eating, as they too can grieve and their mood is important for recovery.
We need to ensure you file a dry and warm place to sleep every day and rest. Malnourished dogs are often tired and lethargic for a while, so it is important to provide them with a place to sit and be comfortable.
On the other hand, these dogs may have skin problems. It is important to bathe them and worm them inside and out. If they have scabies or another problem, the vet will provide us with the right treatment and guidelines to follow. If it is just a coat damaged by lack of nutrients, we will find that it will gradually improve. These dogs may have bald spots or a lack of hair, but will eventually regain it.
Another important step in the recovery of these dogs is to improve their digestive system. Today there is a probiotic available for dogs with intestinal problems. These probiotics help the dog’s intestinal flora recover and become healthy so that the nutrients it takes are well absorbed.
Back to the vet
Although we are seeing progressive improvement in your dog, the truth is that it is important to visit the vet regularly. This vet will tell us whether we are doing the right thing and whether his health has improved in all aspects.
