What food is good for dogs with distemper?

When a lively and cute dog at home unfortunately suffers from canine distemper, the owner's anxiety and worry are beyond words. Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that not only seriously damages the dog's respiratory and digestive systems, but also affects the nervous system. During the illness, the dog is weak and needs adequate nutrition to fight the disease and strive for a speedy recovery. So, what food is good for dogs with canine distemper? ​

Before discussing suitable food, it is necessary to understand the impact of canine distemper on the dog's body. The canine distemper virus attacks multiple organ systems of dogs, causing them to have symptoms such as fever, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms not only consume a lot of energy in dogs, but also affect their appetite and nutrient absorption. For example, frequent vomiting and diarrhea can cause a large loss of water and electrolytes in the dog's body, which can cause dehydration in severe cases; while fever will accelerate metabolism, greatly increasing the dog's demand for energy. Therefore, providing sick dogs with suitable food can not only supplement the nutrients needed by the body, but also help them maintain physical strength, improve immunity, and better fight diseases. ​

High-protein food is essential for dogs with canine distemper. Protein is the basic component of body cells and tissues, and plays a key role in repairing damaged tissues and enhancing immunity. Chicken is a high-quality source of protein with low fat content and easy digestion and absorption. You can cook the chicken and tear it into small pieces to feed it to the dog. Fish is also rich in high-quality protein and rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce the inflammatory response caused by canine distemper in dogs. Salmon, cod, etc. are good choices, but be careful to remove fish bones to avoid getting stuck in the dog's throat. In addition, eggs are also a good source of protein. One egg contains about 7 grams of high-quality protein. You can feed the dog the egg yolk after the egg is cooked. The egg yolk is also rich in vitamins and minerals, which helps to improve the dog's resistance.

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for dogs. When a dog has canine distemper, the body's demand for energy increases, and a moderate amount of carbohydrates can provide it with the energy needed to maintain life activities. Rice is a common source of carbohydrates. It is easy to digest and rich in B vitamins. You can cook the rice softer to make it easier for the dog to eat. Sweet potatoes are also a good choice. They are not only rich in carbohydrates, but also contain dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and improve the dog's digestive function. But be careful to feed sweet potatoes to dogs in moderation to avoid indigestion. ​

Vitamins and minerals are also indispensable for the health of dogs. Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect, which can enhance the dog's immunity and help it resist viral infections. You can feed dogs some fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, apples, etc., but be careful to feed them in moderation, because fruits contain a certain amount of sugar, and overfeeding may cause obesity in dogs. Vitamin B is very important for maintaining the normal function of the dog's nervous system. Canine distemper may affect the dog's nervous system, and supplementing vitamin B can help alleviate related symptoms. You can supplement vitamin B for your dog by feeding whole wheat bread, brown rice and other foods. Calcium and phosphorus in minerals are essential for maintaining the dog's bone health. During the illness, the dog's body may lose a lot of calcium and phosphorus, so it needs to be supplemented appropriately. You can feed your dog some dairy products, such as yogurt, which not only contains calcium and phosphorus, but also contains probiotics, which can regulate intestinal flora and improve the dog's digestive function. ​

When preparing food for dogs with canine distemper, you also need to pay attention to the palatability of the food. Since the appetite of sick dogs is usually affected, you need to prepare some food with strong fragrance and good taste to increase the dog's appetite. Different foods can be combined to make nutritious and delicious food. At the same time, pay attention to the temperature of the food. It should not be too cold or too hot to avoid irritating the dog's gastrointestinal tract. ​

In addition to choosing the right food, a reasonable feeding method is also very important. The digestive function of sick dogs may be affected, so they need to eat small meals frequently to avoid feeding too much at one time and increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. The food for a day can be divided into 4-6 feedings, which can ensure that the dog takes in enough nutrition and reduce the pressure on the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times to replenish the water lost due to vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms. ​

When a dog has canine distemper, the owner's love and care are crucial. Choosing the right food and providing adequate nutrition for the dog is an important part of helping it fight the disease. Every dog ​​is a precious companion in our lives, and they give us unconditional love and companionship. When they are sick, we should do our best to give them the best care.