You Love Your Dog... But Are You Actually Making Them Sick?

May 27, 2025

We all want to believe that love is enough.

That if we love our dogs hard enough — if we cuddle them, spoil them, protect them — we'll keep them healthy, happy, and by our sides for as long as possible.

But what if I told you that some of the most "loving" things we do are actually setting our dogs up for health issues?

Not on purpose. Not out of neglect.

Out of good intentions with unintended consequences.

Real talk: Love without awareness can hurt the ones we’re trying to protect.

Let’s dig into it — because your dog deserves love that heals, not harms.

5 "Loving" Habits That Are Quietly Making Dogs Sick

1. Overfeeding = Overloving

Treats for every cute head tilt. Big dinners "just because."

A few extra bites of your food under the table.

It feels harmless. It feels caring.

But obesity is now one of the biggest health threats facing modern dogs.

And it's not about looks — it's about what extra weight does to their heart, joints, liver, immune system, and life span.

Hard truth: Overfeeding is overloading your dog’s body with work it wasn’t built to handle.

2. Avoiding Exercise Because You Feel Guilty

"It's too hot." "They look tired." "We'll skip today."

Life gets busy. But dogs need consistent movement — physically and mentally.

Without it, their muscles weaken. Their joints stiffen. Their anxiety climbs.

They age faster.

Hard truth: Keeping your dog on the couch might feel cozy, but it can cost them healthy years.

3. Sharing Human Foods That Are Straight-Up Dangerous

Those puppy eyes are ruthless. But table scraps — especially fatty foods, chocolate, xylitol-sweetened anything, onions, and grapes — can cause real damage.

Sometimes even a "tiny bite" can trigger pancreatitis, toxic reactions, or worse.

Hard truth: Not everything "made with love" in your kitchen belongs in your dog's bowl.

4. Skipping Mental Enrichment

"They're fine. They napped all day."

Mental boredom is a silent health threat. Dogs crave problem-solving, exploring, sniffing, and learning.

Without stimulation, they can develop stress behaviors, depression, and even cognitive decline later in life.

Hard truth: A "chill" dog isn't always a "happy" dog. A sharp mind needs daily workouts, too.

5. Letting Little Problems Slide

That occasional limp. The minor rash. The "weird" new behavior.

It's easy to chalk it up to aging or assume it’ll pass.

But little issues ignored can spiral into big, expensive, painful problems.

Hard truth: "Love" means acting early — not waiting for a crisis.

Why Good Intentions Aren't Enough

The most dangerous mistakes aren't made out of cruelty.

They're made out of love.

Out of wanting to believe "they're fine." Out of wanting to feel like we're doing enough.

But love, real love, asks us to look deeper. It asks us to be brave enough to change.

Because our dogs can't.

They can't:

Research better nutrition
Schedule their own vet visits
Tell us their joints ache or their gut feels wrong

They trust us to notice.

They trust us to lead.

Signs You Might Be Accidentally Hurting Your Dog With Love

❌ They’re overweight (you can’t feel ribs easily)

❌ They have frequent tummy issues or loose stool

❌ They get "zoomies" at odd times (sign of boredom)

❌ They seem more anxious or clingy lately

❌ Their coat looks dull or greasy

❌ They're slowing down, but they're not yet a senior

If any of these sound familiar, it's not about guilt.

It's about opportunity.

You get to pivot. You get to love better.

What Love That Heals Looks Like

Here's how you flip the script:

1. Portion Smarter, Not Harder Use a kitchen scale. Adjust portions based on movement that day.

Rotate healthy, nutrient-dense foods that fuel their body — not just fill it.

2. Prioritize Daily Movement and Play Short walks count. Nosework games count. Tug-of-war counts. Move their body and brain every day, even in small ways.

3. Make Safe, Dog-Friendly Treats the Norm Learn what foods are safe (like blueberries, pumpkin, lean proteins) and create moments that are healthy and joyful.

4. Mental Enrichment Every Day Puzzle toys. Hide-and-seek. Scent games. Trick training. Small mental workouts = big quality of life boosts.

5. Be Proactive, Not Reactive Notice the "small stuff." Act early. Partner with your vet or wellness team before a little thing becomes a life-altering thing.

What Doolce + Diego Believes — and Why It Matters

At Doolce + Diego, we believe real love is active.

Real love:

Investigates
Questions
Adjusts
Learns
Commits

We believe wellness isn't just for when something's broken — it's built every day.

Our dogs deserve daily wellness that mirrors how much we claim to love them. Not "good enough." Not "hope for the best." Intentional, radical, joyful care.

That's the love story they deserve.

And it's the story we want to write with you.

Ready to Love Smarter? Here's Your First Step:

✅ Audit your dog's daily food, movement, and play routines

✅ Create a "Wellness Wish List" for upgrades (like adding functional foods)

✅ Ask your vet or wellness team for help spotting hidden risks

✅ Celebrate small wins (they matter!)

✅ Keep learning, keep pivoting, keep showing up

Love isn't about being perfect.

It's about being present.

Your dog doesn't need you to be perfect.

They need you to be aware.