Why is Dog Health Important?

Dog health is one of the most crucial things that pet owners should look after in their pets. There are a number of health risks which the dog may be prone to. For any questions regarding the dog’s health, talk to a doctor right away.

Dogs are as vulnerable as children. They can easily catch viruses or bacteria that can harm them. The difference is dogs can't easily communicate what he is feeling or what's wrong with him. This is why it's important for dog owners to carefully monitor the dog’s health at all times to determine if something is bothering him. Failure to do so can result to a very ill canine. Using dog care systems can help dog owners maintain a healthy and happy pet.

Looking after the dog's health is important because it is a part of the owner's responsibility. It is also important because dogs are great friends. Friends look after one another that is why proper dog care for the loyal companion is required. It is a terrible scene to see a dog in pain, and see him live a miserable and sick life. Having the dog go on regular check ups can also help avoid some major medical bills due to long term illness that have not been determined right away. Dog health insurance is available, but many people do not own this insurance. If the dog falls ill, a vet is necessary, and vets can be just as expensive as human doctors.

I've seen an ad on TV where a vet said dogs should be kept on on Heartworm/Flea meds all year long. Is that true?

It's true for those geographical regions where the risk of heartworm or flea infestation is present year-round. Those living in an area where mosquitoes or fleas are not active all year, or in a situation where infestation is very unlikely, the dog's body will be better off not having to process potent chemicals constantly. Some dog care systems will also remain effective when given in smaller doses or less frequently than every 30 days. Together we can assess the situation and come up with a treatment plan owners will feel more comfortable with. My puppy is still not housebroken, and he's already five months old. Is this normal? How can I fix this problem before my patience runs out? It's definitely not normal that a 5 month old puppy is still not reliable indoors. Normal, healthy puppies brought home at 8 weeks old are absolutely capable of understanding where it is appropriate to eliminate, but they are often confused by their well-meaning owners who simply send the wrong signals and don't establish a daily routine that makes success easy. Pet store puppies and those purchased from commercial kennels have not had an ideal start in life and can be more of a challenge to house train, since from a very young age on they were forced to sleep and play in the very same area they had to use for eliminating - concrete runs and pet store cages. The same often applies to puppies or older dogs rescued from squalid living conditions or kennel lives, so the "normal" label doesn't apply to them and they may require a different approach to potty training. In my experience, and that of the people who have followed my house training routine, it seldom takes longer than two weeks to train a puppy to be 95-99% reliable, implementing a proper routine, send the right signals and pay attention to the dog, there will rarely be accidents, if any at all. For the more difficult cases, I will provide specific modifications.

I am feeding my dog store bought dog food. Do I need to give any supplements?

Once again the answer is it depends on what owners are feeding the dog, what his or her individual needs are and whether any health issues should be addressed. Generally speaking, multivitamin or mineral products are unnecessary if feeding commercial food, but there are specific supplements that complement a dog's diet quite nicely.

If the dog keeps shaking his head does it mean there is anything wrong?

Yes, almost certainly the external ear canal of one or both of his ears is severely inflamed, a condition known as otitis externa. Ear mites is another culprit and will cause the dog to to considerable head shaking and ear scratching. Foreign bodies in the ear canal can be responsible for ear irritation also. To identify and treat the cause the dog should be examined by the veterinarian.

Why is it important to get rid of fleas on my dog?

Adult fleas are parasitic and survive by sucking the blood of their hosts. They are the most important single cause of skin disease in dogs. A heavy infestation may result in anemia. Fleas can transfer some infectious diseases from one dog to another. Fleas can transmit tapeworms to the dog.

For other dog care faqs that were not adressed in this page, please feel free to contact us for more information.