5 Signs Your Pet's Diet Needs a Change
When pets are young, it can seem like they do just fine eating any old food. They have energy to burn, they bounce back from anything, and they seem invincible. But just like us, what they eat when they are young lays the foundation for their health later.
Think about it like this...
When we were teenagers or in our twenties, most of us could live on fast food without feeling much worse for wear. A burger here, fries there, no big deal. But a steady diet of that over time catches up. What once felt “fine” turns into inflammation, gut issues, sluggish energy, or worse.
It is the same with our pets. A young dog or cat can hide the effects of a poor diet for years, but sooner or later, the signs start to show. And by the time those bigger problems show up, the damage may already be done if we don't know what to look for or what to change.
The good news is our pets’ bodies are incredibly resilient and just like our own bodies, the body whether furry or not, has the ability to heal itself if we give it the right tools! Food is by far, one of the most powerful tools we can use! And if we catch the early, subtle signs that their diet is not serving them, we can make small changes now that pay off with better health, more energy, and a longer, happier life at any age! It's never too late to improve their diet, restore their health and extend their lives!
Here are 5 tiny signs that could be telling you your floof’s diet needs a little tune up.
👃 1. Their Breath Smells Off
A little morning breath is normal. But if your dog’s or cat’s breath could clear a room, it might be more than bad hygiene. Bad breath can be an early clue of gut imbalances or low-quality food that is not digesting properly.
Fresh, whole foods support a healthier gut, which in turn improves breath from the inside out. Adding raw goat milk or a high-quality, species appropriate probiotic to their diet can help repopulate the gut with good bacteria and freshen things up naturally.
You've likely heard us say it before either in store or online, "our pet's health starts in their gut! If we can get and keep the gut healthy, we can get and keep the animal healthy!" What we see (or in this case smell) on the outside are symptoms of unbalance on the inside and it's typically the gut microbiome being out of balance.
You may have heard us talk about a house being on fire! We know a house is on fire because we see smoke, but if all we do is wave the smoke away, we're not addressing the root cause which is the fire. The smoke is a symptom of the fire. We need to put out the fire to get rid of the smoke for good. In the case of bad breath, it can be due to an imbalance in the gut. Balancing the gut with probiotics is the first step to "putting out the fire"!
🐾 2. Their Coat Is Not Shiny Anymore
A healthy, glossy coat is a direct reflection of what is going on inside. If your pet’s coat has become dull, dry, or they are shedding more than normal, it could signal a poor quality diet, a lack of essential nutrients, especially omega 3 fatty acids, or it could be a lack of hydration or even, all of the above.
Boosting your floof’s bowl with sardines or a high-quality fish oil can be a game changer. These add healthy fats that support skin, coat, and overall cellular health. Bone broth is another really easy add to the bowl and not only does it support skin and coat, it also increases the hydration your furry guy gets at meal time!
As you may recall in our grooming email, regular grooms are imperative in keeping the skin healthy. Even with breeds who don't necessarily need their fur cut, regular grooming helps the skin breath. Ensuring your furry guy is getting bathed and thoroughly brushed at a minimum every 6-8 weeks can definitely help with keeping their skin and coat healthy.
💩 3. Their Poops Are Changing
Poop is one of the most common windows into your pet’s overall health. If you notice your pet’s stools have become softer, inconsistent, or unusually smelly, it often points to poor digestion or an imbalance in their diet. What many pet parents may not know, is though we're looking for consistency, we're not always looking for an identical "deposit in the backyard" as yesterday. What goes in, must come out! If we're normally eating a diverse diet with different options, our bathroom trips will also look slightly different and that's ok!
If we are having those abnormally smelly or unformed bowel movements on a regular basis, it may be time to make some tweaks to help and support digestion! One simple fix is adding digestive support like fibre to improve nutrient absorption and firm up stools. The beautiful thing about fibre, is it helps with both diarrhea and constipation so regardless of what issue your furry guy may occasionally experience, fibre is our first go to! Goat milk is another one of our favourite gentle digestive aids, rich in probiotics that soothe the gut lining and is known as Mother Nature's tummy tamer!
😴 4. Their Energy Levels Feel Off
If your normally active pet seems a little sluggish or is sleeping more than usual, it could be a diet-related issue. If everything else seems normal (and you know your pet best, so you would know) but their energy is just off, it could be due to their diet. Foods high in fillers or heavy carbs can cause sugar spikes followed by energy crashes. Our pets need a steady release of energy from high-quality proteins and fresh whole foods.
Think about yourself when your energy feels low. You think "I need some sugar!" It's not necessarily the ideal fix, but it will get you through until you can properly nourish your body and get a good night's sleep! Our pets are the same! They can get that sugary boost of energy if they are eating a high-carb diet with lots of fillers and starch. Once that "sugar high" ends, their energy is gone and this becomes a vicious cycle if we're not providing that steady release of energy from a quality diet.
Switching to a better, protein rich, low carb food, even gradually, can make a huge difference. We recommend brands like Carna4, Shepherd Boy Farms Freeze-Dried, Smack or a fresh, whole food diet to regulate energy releases and avoid sugar highs that end in a crash. Clean, nutrient dense options that fuel your pet properly without unnecessary fillers.
👂 5. Subtle Skin Issues
Dry patches, little bumps, or licking of paws can signal that something deeper is going on, often tied to food sensitivities or inflammatory ingredients. Chronic inflammation often starts in the gut but shows up on the skin. Remember the house fire analogy! What we see on the outside is just a symptom.
We suggest looking at the diet first, swapping to a novel-protein, quality ingredient food to minimize exposure to common triggers. Options like Farmina Quail or Venison or Shepherd Boy Farms Alligator for an extremely novel protein which offer cleaner, gentler alternatives for sensitive pets.
For extra support, mushroom supplements or a "multi-vitamin" with all of the required nutrients a living creature need like Adored Beast Phyto Synergy can provide anti-inflammatory and help at a cellular level, supporting the skin from within.
✨ Why Catching These Signs Early Matters
Changing your pet’s diet is not just about fixing a symptom, it is about preventing bigger issues later. The sooner you spot a small change, the sooner you can adjust their nutrition and set them up for a healthier, happier life!
And the good news, you do not have to change everything all at once!
Small upgrades like adding fresh foods, better quality toppers, cleaner foods and trusted supplements can make a big difference without stress or overwhelm!
🐾 Need a Hand Reading the Signs
If you are noticing any of these tiny red flags or just want to make sure your floof’s diet is working for them and not against them, come chat with us in store. We are here to help you decode the signs and build a better bowl! No judgment, just honest help and a game plan that fits your pet’s needs!