The thyroid is a small gland that is found in your dog’s neck that makes hormones which are vital for regulating their bodily functions.
Hypothyroidism occurs when your dog’sthyroid gland is not working properly. If left untreated, hypothyroidism cancause serious health complications. If you suspect your dog has hypothyroidism,then take them to a vet as soon as possible to get checked out.
Tell-tale signs of hypothyroidism include:
- Fluctuations in weight
- Low activity
- Shedding more than normal
- Dull coat
- Dry or scaly skin
- Change in appetite
- Hair loss or thinning
- Slow heart rate
If your dog is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, then they will require treatment with synthetic hormones for the rest of their lives. As well as medication, a good diet can also be advantageous for dogs with hypothyroidism.
Picking dog foods that are made from high-quality and natural ingredients that are free from artificial additive is essential for keeping your dog at peak as healthy as possible.
The best dog food for hypothyroidism should contain good-quality animal proteins, preferably as the first ingredient.
Lean meat like chicken and turkey can be beneficial for dogs a bit on the heavier side. Grain-free recipes can also be beneficial for dogs with hypothyroidism, especially if they have allergies or sensitivities.
Additionally, dog foods that containprobiotics, easily-digestible ingredients, fruits, and vegetables are good ideato support your dog’s digestive system and overall health.
If you’re looking for dog food recommendations for hypothyroidism, then you’ve come to the right place!
Below are four of the best dog foods for dogs with hypothyroidism that are natural, healthy and nutritious.
Alternatively, if you’re on the hunt for homemade dog food for dogs with hypothyroid, then there are a couple of recipes further down.
Best Dog Foods For Hypothyroidism
Here are four of the best dog foods forhypothyroidism. These products are healthy, nutritious, and packed full ofnourishing ingredients that are sure to keep your dog in good health!
CANIDAE Chicken Grain-Free PURE Dry Dog Food
This grain-free dry dog food from CANIDAE is one of the best dog foods for hypothyroidism as it uses natural, wholesome, and limited ingredients. This also makes it ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.
Chicken is listed as the first ingredient,which is a lean protein that is easily-digestible. Lentils, chickpeas,sun-cured alfalfa, and probiotics are also used to support your dog’s digestivesystem. This dry dog food doesn’t contain any corn, wheat, or soy, which isalso a plus!
The formula is packed with vitamins andminerals that are great for your dog’s overall health. This dry dog food isalso available in other flavors, so if your dog isn’t a fan of chicken, thenthere are other choices that might be more appealing!
Key features:
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- Grain-free
- Contains probiotics
- Limited ingredients
Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison And Venison Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
This dry dog food from Taste of the Wild contains real buffalo as the first ingredient, alongside other meats like bison, beef, and roasted venison. Sweet potatoes and peas are included in the formula for extra nutrition, as well as antioxidants from fruits and vegetables.
To support your dog’s digestive system,dried chicory root and probiotics are used in the recipe. There are also addedvitamins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s health, skin, andcoat in tip-top condition.
Zero corn, grain, wheat, fillers,artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are used in this dry dog food,which is a bonus.
Key features
- High-protein formula
- Contains probiotics
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Grain-free
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Doglovely Rating
Instinct’s Limited Ingredient Diet range is an excellent choice for dogs with hypothyroidism. The turkey recipe contains one vegetable and real cage-free turkey as the sole animal protein.
Turkey is a lean protein, which is a good choice for dogs who may have gained a bit of weight due to hypothyroidism.
Good levels of antioxidants and natural omegas are also included in this dry dog food to boost your dog’s overall health.
No corn, soy, potatoes, sweet potatoes,chickpeas, dairy, grain, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, wheat, artificial flavors,colors, or preservatives are used. This makes the food ideal for dogs withallergies or sensitivities as it doesn’t contain any potential triggers.
Key features
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Lean protein
- Added antioxidants
- Grain-free
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Turkey And Chicken Dry Dog Food
Containing real chicken and turkey, thisdry dog food from Wellness works well for dogs with hypothyroidism due to itswholesome and natural ingredients.
The formula is packed with antioxidantsfrom vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli, as well as omega-3 fattyacids from salmon oil and flaxseeds for a healthy coat. Glucosamine andchondroitin have also been added to the formula to support your dog’s bones andjoints.
This dry dog food is mixed with probioticsto keep your furry friend’s digestive system functioning. No meat by-products,corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are used in theformula to make as natural and nutritious as possible.
Key features
- Lean proteins
- Full of antioxidants and nutrients
- Contains probiotics
- Grain-free
Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Hypothyroidism
If you’d rather make your own dog food,then here are a couple of recipes that work well for dogs with hypothyroidism.It’s a good idea to speak to your vet before feeding a homemade dog food toyour pooch to make sure the diet is a good match for them and meets theirspecific nutritional requirements.
Chicken And Chicken Liver With Fruits And Vegetables Dog Food
This homemade dog food from Top Dog Tips is a good choice for dogs with hypothyroidism.
Ingredients
- 1/2 a chicken liver
- 2.5 cups of boiled chicken
- 1 cup of dog-friendlyvegetables (like green beans and carrots)
- 1/2 cup of dog-friendly fruit(like apples and blueberries)
How to
Boil or bake the chicken and chicken liverto make sure they both retain as much nutritional integrity as possible. Pureethe fruits and vegetables in a food processor and then mix them with the cookedchicken and chicken liver in a bowl. If you decide to use any supplements, thisis the time to add them.
This homemade dog food for hypothyroidismcan be stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator for up to 5 days or upto 3 months in a freezer. 1/2 a cup per 20 pounds of body weight is therecommended serving size for this homemade dog food.
Turkey, Rice, And Vegetable Dog Food
This homemade dog food recipe for dogs with hypothyroidism from Breedsy is another great alterative to commercial food.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of uncooked brown rice
- 1 pound of lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- 1 pound of frozen mixed(dog-friendly) vegetables
- 6 cups of water
Method
Using a Dutch oven, mix the brown rice,turkey, and water together. Next, stir n the rosemary and continue stirring ituntil the turkey is broken into smaller chunks and is well combined with theother ingredients. When the mixture is boiling, lower the heat and simmer itfor 20 minutes (covered).
After 20 minutes, add the frozen vegetablesand allow them to simmer for an additional 5 minutes. You can then remove themixture from the heat to cool down to room temperature. When this homemade dogfood for hypothyroidism has cooled down, it is then ready to serve to your dog.You can store leftovers in a refrigerator in an airtight container.
FinalThoughts
It can be frightening when your dog has hypothyroidism, but it can be well-managed by medication and a healthy diet. Providing your dog with nutritious food, whether it is homemade or store-bought, will make sure your furry friend is always looking and feeling their best.
