Dog Health

Dog Health - Caring for Your Friend


dog healthIf you learn how to recognize dog health problems, then you will know when you can handle them yourself and when you need to go see the vet quickly. It's up to use to keep our dogs safe. They look to use for care and that is one of the many responsibilities of owning one.

Most people don't have a lot of dog health care knowledge though. That's ok, because a large part of keeping your dog healthy is just learning to observe them and do what you can do prevent the big problems. The main things that you need to remember in order to take the best care of your dog include:

Maintaining and observing your dog each day in order to catch any illness as early as possible.

Recognizing and fixing minor health issues when it's possible.

Taking your dog to the vet if the problem is serious.

That's really all there is to it. You don't have to be an expert in medicine to responsibly monitor the healthy of your dogs. But by carefully observing and them and checking them each day, you will be sure to keep them as healthy, happy, and active as possible.

There are a lot of things that go into making your dog's environment safe so you can really cut back on the chances of them getting sick. Some of the things you need to make sure your dog always has include water, a comfy and warm dog bed, and some toys that they can chew on. Dogs really need to have a place that they can call their own, whether that means a crate, a kennel, a run, or a pen. That way, they will be able to relax quietly when they want to.

If you have a puppy that you are keeping inside your house, you will need to make sure there is no way for them to hurt themselves. This a way to prevent any health problems. You will want to make sure that there is nothing sharp and no exposed wires for them to chew on.

Dog Food Plays a Big Role in Your Dog's Health

Giving your dog the right food is one of the most important parts of keeping them healthy. While it can be tempting to toss them a chip or something else every now and then, you can actually reduce how long your dog lives by doing this. Dogs are the healthiest and happiest when they get the nutrients that they need in food especially designed for them. Don't be fooled into thinking that you dog will be sad if they aren't enjoying the same food as you. They don't think like humans and are perfectly happy eating the food that you give to them.

Another important part of keeping your dog healthy that a lot of people overlook is making sure to keep them well groomed. You can actually get special soap that will help to prevent common skin problems and keep fleas away. Those are things that a lot of dogs who don't get groomed deal with. You should also brush their fur. While some breeds definitely shed more than others, brushing can also help to keep away skin problems like hot spots.

You don't have to bathe your dogs every day, but you should check them out with your hands. Just feel around and see if they have any new hot spots, cuts, or lumps. If they are feeling any pain your dog will yelp if you touch the area. Yu'll be able to catch problems a lot quicker this way and they won't ever get out of hand.

Try to take a look at your dog's mouth too. Open their mouth and take a look at the gums and teeth. Surprisingly, a lot of dogs deal with gum diseases. Take a look at the feet and claws of your dog while you are inspecting their mouth. If you see anyting that is sticking in the pads of their paws you should tget them out.

Ear infections are also more common than you would think. Take a look at your dog's ears and if you smell anyting weird there is probably something wrong. For the most part, you should have a pretty good idea of your dog's healthy when you inspect them this thoroughly. The only other things that you can watch out for include odd changes in their behavior. If you notice that they are very sluggish, vomit, or have diarrhea, then you will want to get help from a veterinarian.

Exercise and Training Sessions with Your Dog

Just like people, dogs need exercise in order to stay healthy. Behind making sure they get the right food, it's the most important thing in caring for them. If you don't exercise them and let them get fat and out of shape, they will get a lot sicker and die earlier.

You don't have to spend hours exercising your dog. Just take them on a nice walk each day or play fetch with them. Practicing obedience training is also a great way to get your dog exercise too. It will stimulate them both mentally and physically while helping them to be better behaved. You can't get around exercising them though.

Dog Health Articles

Dog Symptoms - Pay close attention to these dog symptoms. Since your pet is not able to tell you when they don't feel right or when something hurts, you have to know what to look for. If you catch things early enough, you will be able to do something about them before they get much worse.

Dog Diarrhea - While it's normal to deal with diarrhea every now and then, if it persists for more than a few days your dog might have a chronic issue. This could be due to a number of thngs, but you need to know what treatments can help the problem before it gets worse.

Dog Insurance - It's possible to get dog insurance that will cover visits to the vet, vaccinations, surgeries, and more. It can be a huge benefit if your dog gets really ill or injured, but is it the right choice for all dog owners? I'll go over some of the more popular providers, and help you decide if it's worth it for your pet.

Dog Medicine - What symptoms is your dog experiencing? Our guide lists several of the most common along with the types of dog medicine that are designed to help with it. This article even gives a little information for those that want to do alternative medicine to avoid the side effects.


 

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