The Best Dog Foods for Hypothyroidism
It can seem overwhelming to meet the needs of a dog with hypothyroidism, but it doesn’t have to be. Finding the right balance of medication and nutrition can help you and your dog live a healthy, stress-free life.
In order to take the guesswork out of the nutrition aspect of things, we’ve rounded up the best dog foods for hypothyroidism and reviewed their pros and cons. Read on to find out how you can make the best choice for your furry friend.
What is Hypothyroidism in Dogs?
Hypothyroidism, also a common disease in humans, is a condition that causes an underactive thyroid gland, resulting in the body’s functions slowing down. In dogs, this manifests as weight gain, lethargy, hair loss, and more.
Thankfully, hypothyroidism is a treatable condition. Besides medication, one of the best ways to address this health issue is through your dog’s diet. Without further ado, here are our top food picks for a dog with hypothyroidism:
1. Halo Holistic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe
This recipe has ingredients that address a multitude of problems caused by hypothyroidism. It has antioxidants and omega fatty acids which address skin and coat health, chicken liver which balances hormone levels, and plenty of fiber from fruits and vegetables to aid with digestion.
The ingredients in Halo products are non-GMO and human-grade, and while we wouldn’t recommend feeding this to a dog that needs weight management, it’s a great choice in all other cases.
2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
It’s a good practice to feed a dog with hypothyroidism a grain-free diet, and this Blue Buffalo recipe offers just that. This recipe is perfect for keeping your dog’s immune system strong, which is just what a dog with hypothyroidism needs to offset any problems that may exacerbate his condition.
Full of high-quality protein, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fruits and vegetables, you can’t go wrong with this blend.
3. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe
Another great grain-free choice, Whole Earth Farms brings you a protein-rich, artificial preservative-free recipe that is the perfect choice for a dog with hyperthyroidism. This blend is full of real salmon and whitefish, which contribute to lean muscle development, and a variety of important minerals for supporting your dog’s overall holistic health, strengthening their system, and combatting the symptoms of their condition.
4. Nutro Natural Choice Adult Dog Food Healthy Weight
If your dog suffers from weight gain as a result of his hypothyroidism, this food is a great choice. The recipe boasts a variety of lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals, as well as complex carbohydrates such as lentils and sweet potatoes to keep your pooch full for longer.
Nutro is a trusted brand, and this blend is also crafted with antioxidants, to help keep your dog’s thyroid issues under control.
5. Wellness Simple Natural Grain Free Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
The awesome thing about this recipe is that it truly is simple, as the name suggests. With just a few main ingredients, feeding your dog this diet gives you peace of mind in that you understanding just what exactly they’re ingesting.
The blend of salmon and potato this brand offers gives a great balance of protein and carbohydrates which can boost your low energy dog with hypothyroidism’s mood. It’s also supplemented with all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to support a healthy immune system and keep his symptoms at bay.
6. Home Cooked Food
This last option isn’t a brand or flavor choice, but a lifestyle for your dog. More and more owners are choosing to feed their dogs homemade food these days, which gives you the flexibility to be able to control what exactly your dog is eating and address his specific nutritional needs, something that’s important for dogs with hypothyroidism.
While it’s not simple, the results can definitely pay off. Take a look at our article about home-cooked dog food to learn more about this option and see if it could work for you and your dog.
Conclusion
So there you have it! These are our top five picks for the best dog foods for hypothyroidism. No matter which of these you choose, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re doing all your can to help your dog stay healthy.
We hope you enjoyed this roundup. If you have any more questions about hypothyroidism and dogs, let us know in the comments below and we’ll be sure to answer your inquiries as best we can.