Dog Wellness
Discover how nutrition and care support your dog’s vitality through life.
Dogs have adaptable, but specific, nutritional needs
Dogs are more adaptable eaters than cats — but that doesn’t mean their nutritional needs are simple.
Their bodies still depend on a careful balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients to support digestion, immunity, muscle strength, joints, and overall energy. When that balance shifts, the effects are often subtle at first.
Understanding these needs helps care stay supportive rather than reactive.
Why nutrition issues are easy to miss in dogs
Dogs often adjust quietly to nutritional gaps.
Instead of obvious illness, changes may appear as:
lower energy or stamina
dull coat or increased shedding
digestive irregularities
stiffness after activity
changes in appetite or weight
These signs don’t always indicate a problem — but they can suggest that nutrition deserves a closer look.
Protein, fats, and daily energy balance
Protein supports muscles, tissues, enzymes, and immune function in dogs.
Fats provide concentrated energy and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins, while carbohydrates can support sustained activity and digestive health when chosen carefully.
What matters most isn’t one single nutrient — but how these elements work together, consistently, day after day.
Micronutrients and why they matter for dogs
Vitamins and minerals may be needed in small amounts, but their role is significant.
They help:
regulate metabolism
support bone and joint health
maintain skin and coat
manage inflammation and recovery
support immune balance
Even mild imbalances can affect how a dog feels over time, especially during growth, high activity, or aging.
Home-cooked and vegetarian diets: what to consider
Many dog parents choose home-cooked or vegetarian diets with care and good intention.
These diets can work — but they often require extra attention to:
mineral balance
amino acid completeness
vitamin consistency
long-term adequacy
Without careful planning, small nutritional gaps can develop gradually. Understanding these risks helps decisions remain informed and calm.
Digestion, gut health, and absorption
Nutrition isn’t only about what goes into the bowl — it’s also about what the body can absorb.
Digestive efficiency can vary based on:
ingredient quality
processing methods
stress and activity levels
age and gut health
When absorption is compromised, even a good diet may not fully meet a dog’s needs.
How nutrition needs change across life stages
A growing puppy, an adult dog, and a senior dog have different nutritional priorities.
As dogs age:
metabolism may slow
joint support becomes more important
inflammation can increase
recovery may take longer
What worked well earlier in life may benefit from gentle adjustment later. Awareness allows care to remain preventive.
Preventive nutrition for dogs
Preventive nutrition focuses on supporting health before discomfort appears.
It’s about maintaining balance, resilience, and comfort — not chasing problems after they show up. Small, consistent nutritional choices often make the biggest difference over time.
Choosing nutritional support thoughtfully
When support is considered, it works best when it is:
suited to a dog’s size, age, and lifestyle
correctly dosed
easy to give consistently
used as a complement to food
More isn’t always better. Understanding creates clarity, and clarity supports better decisions.
A steady approach to caring for dogs
Dog nutrition doesn’t need to feel complicated or overwhelming.
This page exists to help you understand the basics — calmly, clearly, and without pressure. Whether you’re learning, observing changes, or planning next steps, all of those choices are valid.
Wellness in dogs is built gradually, through attention, consistency, and care.