The Weimaraner, often called the “Gray Ghost,” is a friendly, fearless, and obedient sporting dog.
With a history of being a superior hunting dog, the breed requires extensive physical activity and mental stimulation. With exercise needs as high as this, it’s important to feed your pup optimal nutrition for their health and longevity. This breed can suffer from certain health issues, but a proper diet can help support them. We will discuss:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Bloat
- Hypothyroidism
HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip Dysplasia is a condition where the joint no longer fits into the socket properly, which can cause the joint to grind against itself. This is painful for dogs and can contribute to limping or lameness. Ensuring that your Weimaraner’s joints are supported well from puppyhood to adulthood is crucial to supporting healthy joints and cushioning.
One of the most critical nutrient ratios to look out for when it comes to bone development is calcium and phosphorus. These two minerals play a big role in bone development. This is one of the reasons a raw diet can be a great choice for a growing dog. These diets usually have the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus, and the nutrients in fresh food can be more digestible.
Consider adding foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which are two nutrients that are known for supporting healthy joint function. Another food option is green-lipped mussels. These also have wonderful joint-supporting qualities and make for yummy treats for your pup.
BLOAT
This condition can be deadly, where gas builds up in the stomach, which causes the stomach to twist. This condition is more common in larger dogs than smaller dogs, and something to be aware of when feeding your dog.
Some ways to prevent bloat include feeding smaller meals throughout the day instead of one large meal, feeding them a soft and easy-to-digest type of food, like raw or freeze-dried, and making sure you don’t feed a meal before or immediately after exercise. Huntaway Goat Tripe Treats are another excellent way to help support digestion and a healthy microbiome.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid operates much slower than normal, due to low thyroid hormone levels. This can result in lethargy, weight gain, cold intolerance, and some skin issues. Many critical nutrients support optimal thyroid function, like iodine and selenium. These can be found in venison in reasonable amounts, but higher amounts can be found in seafood and sea salt. Sea salt is included in both Huntaway’s raw and freeze-dried recipes.
Selenium and iodine both help with thyroid function, specifically the production of healthy levels of thyroid hormone, and the conversion of inactive thyroid hormone (T4) to active thyroid hormone (T3). To help support your dog’s thyroid function, ensure they are getting enough of these key nutrients.
Whether you want to add raw dog food as a topper, or switch your Weimaraner entirely, any fresh food you can add to their bowl will help support a long and vibrant life. Huntaway offers both raw and freeze-dried venison options for your dog, which provides seamless meals both at home and on the road.
