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Adapting Your Dog to Autumn

Dog - Pet Wants
  • 14 September 2017
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As hot sunny days end and the leaves begin to change so do your dog’s needs. Changing seasons brings changes in your dog’s nutrition and lifestyle. Here are a few things to consider when preparing your dog for the coming cold weather.

Autumn Allergies

It is easy to forget that there is a spike of seasonal allergies in the fall. As plants start to go into hibernation for winter, many plants release potential allergens in the air. Seasonal allergies can present themselves in dogs (like humans). This can include sneezing, skin irritations, or itching. If your dog has a history of seasonal allergies or you notice any potential symptoms, talking to your vet as soon as possible is the best way to help your pet. Altering their diet may assist in some regards, adding omega-3 fatty acids to their diet in the form of fish, sunflower, or flax may help the immune system become more anti-inflammatory which can aid in dealing with seasonal allergies.

Skin and Coat

As the temperature drops, the heat kicks on in our homes. This can lead to your dog’s skin and coat to dry out. To help keep the luster and moisture of summer, increasing omega-3s in the diet can help promote a healthy skin and coat over the winter months. Fish such as salmon and whitefish are great natural sources of omega-3s such as EPA and DHA. Switching your food to a fish formula may help deliver extra omega-3 fatty acids to where they are needed most.

In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, you may want more sulfur into your dog’s diet. Sulfur is a crucial component of hair. As your dog puts on their winter coat their need for sulfur may go up. Sulfur can be found naturally in fish, red meat, and poultry. It is important to provide your dog a diet that is in high animal-based protein to ensure they are getting the highest level of nutrition for all parts of the body. All Pet Wants food contains protein-packed meals as the first ingredient to ensure proper nutrition.

Make Exercise a Priority

Exercise is a crucial component to overall health. Decreased exercise in winter months may lead to weight gain, and it is important to balance exercise and diet especially when the weather turns. As outdoor activity becomes less frequent, try adding enrichment indoors for your dog. This can come in the form of an interactive toy or a natural chew such as a bully stick or deer antler.

As warm weather ends, look to incorporate fish into your dog’s diet. Omega-3s support a healthy immune system as well as skin and coat. Look for ways to keep activity levels up so your dog will be in peak performance throughout the cold season and be ready some spring.

Certified Food by AAFCO Pet food nutrient
Pet Wants Pet food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Pet food nutrient profiles for “All Life Stages”.