Care and feeding of a malnourished dog

Recovering from a malnourished dog

Sometimes we meet dogs that have been abandoned on the street and they are malnourished. It is a responsibility to try to restore that dog to health, but above all we must know what the care and feeding of a malnourished dog are.

Unfortunately every day more dogs are abandoned and that is why we find this kind of thing. Feeding a malnourished dog It is a good deed but it should not be done in any way. The dog has been 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 get sicker.

The malnourished dog

Malnourished dog

A malnourished dog will have many health problems. Normally we will see his ribs and notice how low weight he is easily. These dogs have low defenses, so you may have caught a disease. Skin and coat problems are common, since it does not have the necessary nutrients for it to be in perfect condition.

Another symptom of a dog that has this problem is weakness. Dogs that do not eat much will be in lethargy for a long time, so it is normal that the first days they barely move and sleep a lot, since they will not have the strength to play. Many even find it difficult to stand. These dogs can also have vomiting and diarrhea on a regular basis. This happens because the stomach has been subjected to a lack of food and because dogs tend to eat everything they find, which is usually garbage and things that hurt their stomach.

Go to the vet

Visit the vet

Depending on the condition of the dog, we can care for it directly at home or there will even be feeding him parenterally at the vet. However, a visit to these professionals is always necessary to determine the general condition of the dog. A malnourished dog can suffer from multiple diseases or have eaten things that do them a lot of harm. They can range from scabies to distemper to anemia. Each case is different, so we must always put ourselves in the hands of professionals, who can better guide us when it comes to caring for this malnourished dog. The veterinarian will not only look at possible diseases, but will also take into account that there may be a nutritional deficit of something to put him on a specific diet, something that we cannot know. Typically, these dogs undergo a blood test for a general health check.

Feeding the malnourished dog

Food for a malnourished dog

Food is a key part of the recovery of a dog suffering from malnutrition. Precisely the dog is in that state due to the lack of food for a prolonged period. However, we must bear in mind that it's not about overfeeding the dog uncontrollably. On the contrary, we must be very careful when giving him food so that he does not suffer stomach pain, diarrhea or vomiting that can further weaken him.

You have to buy quality feed. The vet can recommend some feed to help them in recovery, since there are formulated specifically for this purpose. It is common to also use a I think of high-end puppies. These feeds are packed with nutrients for a growing dog, helping any malnourished dog to recover, even an adult dog. In addition, these feeds are usually softer and smaller, being perfect for a dog that is weak. The feed must be mixed between dry and wet to provide more fat and water to the dog.

As for the intakes, they need to be small and spaced so that the dog can do digestion well. A single intake should not be made a day, because this is heavier on the stomach and may not make digestion or vomiting well. With small meals the dog will assimilate it better and will have energy throughout the day. It is also very important to provide fresh, clean water throughout the day. Sometimes it is recommended to give the dog a drink with mineral salts to help him recover if he has suffered diarrhea.

Malnourished dog care

Bathing a dog

The malnourished dog does not only need daily food to recover. It is important that we also provide you trust and affection daily. These abandoned dogs are usually suspicious at first, but once they begin to receive care we will see a change in their mood, something we must also look at. Many dogs are weakened to the point of stopping eating, because they too can get sad and their mood counts a lot in recovery.

We must provide you with a dry and hot place to sleep daily and rest. Malnourished dogs are often tired and lethargic for a while, so it's important to give them a place to sit and be comfortable.

On the other hand, these dogs can have skin problems. It is important give them a good bath and deworm them inside and outside. If they have scabies or some other problem, the vet will give us the appropriate treatment and guidelines to follow. If it is only a coat damaged by a lack of nutrients, we will find that it will improve little by little. These dogs may have bald spots or lack of hair, but eventually they will regain it.

Another important step for these dogs to recover is to improve their digestive systems. Today there is probiotics available for dogs who have bowel problems. These probiotics help the dog to recover its intestinal flora and its health, so that the nutrients it takes are well absorbed.

Back to the vet

Although we are seeing the progressive improvement of the dog, the truth is that it is important visit the vet regularly. This vet will tell us if we are progressing properly and if his health has improved in all aspects.


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  1.   FERNANDO BASAURI RAMIREZ said

    Excellent review on malnourished dogs, my opinion is that a kind of practical emergency advice should be added before taking it to the vet, such as; What foods would be recommended, (Some brands easily located in the market, as well as what foods to avoid)