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After careful analysis, our top recommended dog food for hypothyroidism is Halo Holistic Complete Digestive Health.
It has high quality protein sources, such as Chicken Liver that will give an excellent boost to your dog’s thyroid function. It also contains DreamCoat, which is a supplement rich in essential fatty acids and helpful for hypothyroid dogs.
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If your vet has diagnosed hypothyroidism in your pet, then medication can help with this condition. There is no specific diet for hypothyroidism but making sure your dog is on a good quality complete dog food can help. It is worth looking out for the following when choosing a diet for your hypothyroid dog.
Choose a diet with high quality whole meat or meal meat protein sources making up at least 18% of the dry matter content of the food. Protein helps to maintain lean muscle mass as well as providing essential amino acids for growth and repair.
Many dogs will improve once their medication starts as their metabolism increases again. Choosing a calorie-controlled diet can further help your dog shift that extra weight. Make sure you feed your dog an appropriate amount for their ideal bodyweight and consider help from your veterinary clinic on how to best manage weight loss in your hypothyroid dog.
Omega-3 fatty acids are usually found in ingredients like fish oil, or linseed oil, which help improve skin and coat condition which can be useful in hypothyroid dogs prone to scurfy skin. These fatty acids have other benefits elsewhere in the body, such as the joints and heart too.
To produce thyroxine, the body requires iodine. Most good quality commercial diets will automatically contain appropriate levels of iodine, but it is something to be aware of generally. Looking for a food with the AAFCO statement will help to ensure your dog is getting sufficient iodine in his diet.
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
Halo Holistic is a diet of exceptional quality that contains many beneficial ingredients to help support the health of dogs suffering from hypothyroidism. A diet that is largely based on poultry, Halo Holistic includes a healthy serving of chicken liver in its formulation, a protein that provides an excellent boost to support optimal thyroid function.
This diet is rich in flavor, making it attractive to dogs that suffer from poor appetite. It is nutrient-dense to support the maintenance of a healthy weight. Though this diet does include some whole grains in its recipe, they are easily digestible and high in fiber. Carbohydrates in the form of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots have also been included to support a strong immune system.
This food is free from hormones, antibiotics, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It has also been fortified by the addition of DreamCoat, a supplement that is heavy in essential fatty acids to encourage healthy coat and skin.
A powerful support for dogs suffering with poor thyroid function, it is easy to see why Halo Holistic is among the best dog foods for hypothyroidism.
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch is a food of exceptional quality that is packed with powerhouse ingredients to support the health of dogs with hypothyroidism. This diet’s protein is largely derived from herring meal, a meat that is dense to provide eating satisfaction and that also is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to encourage healthy skin and coat. These fish proteins promote excellent digestion.
Earthborn Holistic is a grain-free food. Fruits and vegetables that are high-fiber and antioxidant-dense have been included to support optimal digestive processes and the development of a strong immune system to fight disease.
With its high emphasis on easily digestible ingredients, Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch is rated as one of the best foods for dogs with hypothyroidism and sensitive stomachs.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Canned Food is a wet meal with the taste and nutrition to keep dogs suffering from hypothyroidism feeling satisfied, healthy, and well. Wellness CORE, a diet that has been rated one of the best dog foods for hypothyroidism, bases its recipe upon five different protein sources including chicken liver, a powerhouse food to support increased thyroid function.
Mineral levels have been optimized to encourage a healthy immune system and a thriving metabolism. The carbohydrates included in this diet are derived from high-fiber, antioxidant-dense fruits and vegetables with a heavy emphasis on greens. These items support good digestion and a strong immune system to fight disease.
Coat and hair quality is supported through the addition of fish oils and flaxseed.
Forza10 Nutraceutic Sensitive Digestion has been specifically formulated to address the digestive needs of dogs like those suffering from hypothyroidism. Maintaining excellent digestion is an important component of ongoing good health in dogs with thyroid issues. Forza10 accomplishes this through its grain-free formulation which is rich in highly nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Anchovy meal is the primary ingredient in this food, a meat meal that is full of flavor and that is rich in vital omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Forza10 was designed to assist dogs suffering from a number of different health ailments including hypothyroidism. Though its emphasis is on promoting overall health, it still maintains the taste that dogs are looking for in their meals, making it easily one of the best foods for dogs with hypothyroidism.
Zignature LID Grain-Free Trout & Salmon Meal is a limited ingredient diet that has been optimized to meet the needs of dogs suffering with hypothyroidism. A grain-free food, Zignature’s carbohydrates come from excellent quality fruits and vegetables to boost digestion and immunity. Its main proteins are trout and salmon, two highly flavorable meats that also contribute a powerhouse punch of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to help assist with coat and skin health.
Zignature contains no corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or chicken, making it a good choice for dogs expressing sensitivities to any of these items. It is an excellent choice for families looking for the best food for dogs with both hypothyroidism and sensitive stomachs.
Hypothyroidism is a serious health condition that affects many dogs. The thyroid, an important gland, is situated along the dog’s neck. Its primary role is to secrete hormones to help many critical bodily functions to operate correctly. Hypothyroidism occurs when the gland ceases producing the correct amount of these essential hormones, and as a result, the body is no longer able to function normally.
There are many different symptoms that can indicate a dog may be suffering from a thyroid issue such as hypothyroidism. Among the most common problems seen are thin or dull coat, frequent shedding, thickened and scaly skin, fatigue, weight gain, intolerance to cold, and excessive hunger.
It is important to note that though diet can help dogs suffering from hypothyroidism, a change in nutrition must also be accompanied by synthetic hormone medications from a veterinarian. The most commonly prescribed drug treatment for this condition is levothyroxine. Though hypothyroidism is not typically fatal, it is not curable, requiring lifelong treatment.
Veterinarians suggest a number of different options to help alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism including supplements and a high-quality diet that is free from any filler foods and artificial colorings, flavorings, or preservatives.
Hypothyroidism is a genetic condition that can be exacerbated by stress in the home, certain types of food, and even overvaccination. It is also possible that some dogs exhibiting new behavioral problems including severe anxiety may be suffering from hypothyroidism.
Feeding a dog the best dog food for hypothyroidism can be a great help in combating the negative effects of this disease.
Since dogs suffering with hypothyroidism often experience an increased appetite, it is important to select a high-quality food that is filling to prevent overeating from occurring. Exceptional care must be taken to ensure a dog with thyroid issues is not fed too much as obesity can lead to further health problems for the dog to battle. Measure all food and monitor all intake to prevent the dog from becoming overweight.
Most foods that are high in fiber and comprised of excellent quality ingredients are well-suited to the needs of a dog with hypothyroidism. To determine how much of the best food for dogs with hypothyroidism to feed a dog, it is a good idea to use the suggested serving size on the bag of food as a guideline. This can be adjusted to reflect the dog’s activity level and weight. However, for dogs whose appetite seems to rage out of control, it is a better idea to add something low calorie to the food for additional bulk and nutrition such as pumpkin, carrots, or green beans than to increase portion sizes.
For dogs that are overweight, increased exercise is preferable to reducing portion sizes if possible.
Some dogs will experience a loss of appetite and getting them to eat to maintain a good body condition can be very challenging. To encourage dogs with a decreased appetite to eat, it is important to select a high-quality food that is extremely flavorful.
Since hypothyroidism has a genetic component, there are some dog breeds that are naturally predisposed to developing the condition. These include such dog types as Irish Setters, Boxers, Dachshunds, Airedale Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, and Miniature Schnauzers. However, just as not all of these breeds will succumb to hypothyroidism, there are many not on this list that will develop the disease during their lifetime.
Dogs suffering from hypothyroidism need a diet that will provide them with the daily energy they need. Since weight gain is a common symptom of the disease, it is important that a food selected for a dog with thyroid issues is filled with optimal quality ingredients.
To help dogs with hypothyroidism to build and maintain strong, healthy muscles, animal-based proteins are necessary. It is best to select a food that has lean, whole meats as their primary ingredient if possible. Meat meals are also acceptable. By-products, particularly from beef, have been linked to exacerbating the disease, and thus should be avoided.
Plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat can also negatively impact hypothyroidism in dogs but are also of very poor nutritional value and are difficult to digest well. Any diets containing these ingredients cannot be considered among the best dog foods for hypothyroidism.
Healthy fats are an important part of any diet for a dog with hypothyroidism. These are best derived from animal sources and include such beneficial ingredients as salmon oil and chicken fat. These fats help to combat the symptoms of hypothyroidism such as dry, flaky skin. They also contribute vital energy to keep dogs with this condition primed for daily exercise.
Carbohydrates are a critical component to achieving health and wellness in a dog with hypothyroidism. High fiber and the correct vitamins are best found in excellent quality, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. These easy to digest carbohydrates help provide dogs with the energy they need while promoting a healthy digestive tract. The vitamins found in the fruits and vegetables assist with strong immunity and continued good health.
When it comes to one superfood for dogs with hypothyroidism, liver from a lean animal source is key. Liver is filled with the nutrients needed to boost compromised thyroid function in affected dogs. Liver from such animals as chicken or turkey is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, folic acid, and iron; all critical vitamins and nutrients to support an ailing thyroid.
The addition of iodine to a food is a great way to encourage the thyroid to produce hormones organically. This can also be purchased from a pharmacy and fed orally. This should only be done under the advice of a veterinarian who can also provide the correct dosage.
There are a few ingredients that should be avoided in a food for dogs suffering from thyroid problems. Fillers are poor quality for any dog, but in dogs with autoimmune diseases like hypothyroidism, it is even more critical that they not eat a diet which contains them. Likewise, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives should be avoided.
Most dogs with thyroid issues also have difficulty digesting foods that are heavy in grains that are rich in gluten. Avoid these diets and stick to something rich in fruits and vegetables to encourage good digestion and absorption of vital nutrients.
Since disruption of appetite is a common side effect of hypothyroidism, selecting a food that is high in flavor is very important to help encourage dogs with this disease to eat heartily.
Any food suited for the need of an adult dog with or without hypothyroidism should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a dog food for hypothyroidism:
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