Does My Dog Have A Nutritional Deficiency?

Are there any apparent changes in your dog's feces that have lasted for more than 48 hours?

Is your dog depressed or lethargic?

Does your dog have a skin or coat disorder (hair loss and skin infection)?

Does your dog lacks energy?

There are four main principles to a healthy bowel movement: color, consistency, content, and coating. Your dog’s feces should be chocolate brown, malleable like playdoh, contain no foreign objects, and should be free of mucus residue. Any abnormalities outside of this (for more than 24-48 hours) could be a signal of some health digestive issues, including nutritional deficiency.

A dog’s gut biome, much like that of humans, signals everything from what type of bowel movement they’re going to produce to what their mood will be that day. An unhealthy gut biome can lead to depression and lethargy. Noticing a change in your dog’s behavior can clue you into any malnutrition.

Dogs need a wide range of vitamins and minerals to maintain their healthy skin and fur. Without a nutritious diet, they become prone to hair loss, skin disease, and infection.

Another telling sign of malnutrition, especially in the carbohydrates, is a lack of energy. Carbs are a dog’s main fuel source, and they provide dogs with the energy to be playful for the entire day.

If your dog doesn't show any of the mentioned signs of malnutrition, it is unlikely that it has a nutritional deficiency. However, if your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, chances are they’re not absorbing nutrients before they come outside of his body. Unfortunately, almost any digestive disease, infectious or noninfectious, comes with one or both of these symptoms.