How to Feed a Dog with Leishmaniasis
If your dog has been diagnosed with leishmaniasis, one of the most important ways of treating this is good nutrition. Leishmaniosis is a chronic and incurable disease, but with palliative treatment, regular checks and watching what they eat, your pet can have a good quality of life. If you're wondering what to feed your dog with leishmaniasis, OneHowTo explains the best diet for dogs with this condition which should help keep this disease at bay.
Steps to follow:
Do you know what to do to treat your dog's leishmaniosis? Apart from regular checks and medication, quality food for your dog will be a real help to control the disease. When we talk about good nutrition, we refer to high-quality food or even a food designed specifically for dogs suffering from leishmaniasis, to help boost their immune system. It is important that you are careful with your dog's diet. It should be rich in omega 3 and 6 fats, low in phosphorus, high in antioxidants, have the optimal levels of proteins and be easily digestible.
It is essential that your dog's food is of a high quality as this is vital for strengthening their immune system. If your pet has tested positive for leishmaniasis, food will play a crucial role in its overall health, as it will be a fundamental part in protecting their defences. In your dog's diet, proteins are an indispensable part. This is because they are excellent for promoting the health of their immune system as well as that of the kidneys and liver. When you buy high-quality food, make sure it has a high percentage of quality protein.
The diet for a dog with leishmaniosis must contain at least the following components:
- High percentage of antioxidants, especially vitamin E. This vitamin stimulates the defence response, which will be crucial in treating your dog's leishmaniasis.
- Proteins that are easy to digest. This will allow your dog to regain muscle mass and reduce the negative effects of the disease on the kidneys.
When you're feeding a dog with leishmaniasis, the food you offer to it should always be palatable. The tastier the food, the more likely your dog is to eat it. If it is desirable, it will stimulate their appetite and thus help them regain the weight they've lost.
It is very common for dogs with this disease to lose weight as they lose the desire to eat.
In addition, if your dog has damaged kidneys, the diet should focus on healing that particular problem. You should discuss these issues with your veterinarian as the dietary approach to treating your dog will vary in accordance with your dog's health. A vet will be able to advise the most suitable type of food for your dog's specific case.
If you want to know more about this disease and protect your dog against it, at OneHowTo we explain you how leishmaniasis is transmitted and prevented.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Feed a Dog with Leishmaniasis, we recommend you visit our Pets category.
