Pet Digest

Understanding Metabolism in Dogs: How It Affects Nutrition and Health Understanding Metabolism in Dogs: How It Affects Nutrition and Health Metabolism is the complex set of chemical processes that occur within your dog’s body to maintain life. It influences how your dog converts food into energy, repairs tissues, and maintains overall health. Understanding metabolism is key to providing the right nutrition for your dog’s unique needs. What Is Metabolism? Metabolism consists of two main processes: Catabolism: Breaking down food molecules to release energy. Anabolism: Using energy to build and repair tissues. These processes affect your dog’s energy levels, weight, and overall vitality. Factors Influencing Canine Metabolism Age: Puppies and young dogs have faster metabolisms than seniors. Breed and size: Small breeds often have higher metabolic rates per pound than large breeds. Activity level: Active dogs burn more calories. Health status: Il...

Canine Pancreatitis: Dietary Causes and Nutritional Recovery Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that can cause severe pain and disrupt digestion in dogs. Nutrition plays a crucial role both in the onset and management of this serious illness. The pancreas: key to digestion and metabolism. What Is Pancreatitis? The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin. In pancreatitis, these enzymes activate prematurely, damaging pancreatic tissue and causing inflammation. This can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Dietary Causes and Risk Factors High-fat meals: Sudden ingestion of fatty foods is the most common trigger. Obesity: Overweight dogs are at increased risk due to fat metabolism issues. Human food scraps: Rich, fatty foods often fed as treats can precipitate attacks. Underlying conditions: Diabetes, hypothyroidism, or previous episodes increase susceptibili...

Ever noticed a small, cauliflower-like bump suddenly appear on your dog’s lips, gums, or mouth? Don’t panic—chances are it’s a canine papilloma, a common and usually benign condition caused by a virus. Let’s break down what you need to know about these strange little growths. --- 🦠 What Is a Papilloma? A canine oral papilloma is a wart-like growth caused by the canine papillomavirus. It primarily affects younger dogs with developing immune systems, although older or immunocompromised dogs can get them too. These growths are: White or pale pink Rough or cauliflower-shaped Usually found on lips, gums, inside the mouth, or occasionally on the eyelids or feet --- 🐶 Is It Contagious? Yes, but only to other dogs—not humans, cats, or other animals. The virus spreads through direct contact, such as: Shared toys Mutual grooming Playtime at dog parks or daycare Most adult dogs have built up immunity, so outbreaks are more common in puppies and adolescents. --- 🔍 How to Tell If It’s a Papillom...