Dog Health: Healthy Dog Basics
As dog owners and people who care deeply for animals and
wildlife, we wanted our Dog Encyclopedia to be a website that could
empower pet owners to create the most positive, loving
environment for their dogs. Dog Encyclopedia realizes that owning a
dog is like adding a new member to your family.
Your dog's health and
behavior go together, one directly impacts the other. Dogs with
proper health care and appropriate behavior will also make your life
more delightful. The most important aspect of your dog's well-being
is health. An unhealthy dog will not benefit as much from training
and may also develop behavior problems.
Veterinary Care
High-quality veterinary care sets the foundation for your dog’s
overall health. Find a veterinarian you can trust and visit
regularly. Ideally, routine wellness examinations should be
performed by your vet twice a year. Puppies and senior dogs should
be seen even more frequently. If your dog has special needs, a
chronic health condition or other illness, comply with your vet’s
recommendations. Because your dog ages at a faster rate than you,
many subtle changes can develop over a six to twelve month period.
Routine visits allow your vet to closely monitor changes before your
dog’s health gets out of control. Learn how to effectively
communicate with your vet and you can expect the same in return. If
you can develop a good connection with your vet, it can lead to
long-term benefit for you and your dog. Check out our glossary of
Dog Diseases and Illnesses.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is a fundamental for keeping all dogs healthy. Diet
directly affects your dog’s skin and coat, weight, energy level, and
gastrointestinal function. If a problem occurs in one of these
areas, it may be linked to improper diet. Choose a high-quality dog
food made by a reputable company, or learn about homemade diets.
Once you find the right food for your dog, use that food
consistently. Watch your dog’s response to the diet over 4-8 weeks.
How does her coat look? It should be shiny and free of flakes, but
not greasy. Have you noticed a change in her energy level? A
decrease in energy could indicate a problem. Has she lost or gained
weight? Obesity in dogs is a very common problem which can often be
reversed with proper diet and exercise. Excess weight loss may occur
if your dog does not find the food palatable. If her response to the
diet is poor, it may be time to look into other foods. A sudden
change in dog foods can cause gastrointestinal upset, so switch over
gradually unless otherwise directed by your vet.
Exercise
Many dog owners underestimate their dogs’ exercise needs in relation
to keeping their dog healthy. Destructive behavior may lead to a
diagnosis of separation anxiety or other behavioral problems. While
these conditions truly exist, in many cases the behavior is actually
the result of an energy surplus. If you feed your dog a healthy
diet, it should give her plenty of energy. However, if your dog
can’t release that energy with exercise, it may be released on your
furniture, carpet, doorways, or even your prized collection of rare
books. Before you blame your dog for the damage, ask yourself if
she’s getting enough exercise. In general, dogs need at least 1-2
hours of exercise per day, but this varies by breed, size and age.
No two dogs are the same, so discovering your dog’s exercise needs
may require some trial and error. When in doubt, give your dog as
much exercise as she wants, but don’t overdo it. Watch her closely
for signs of exhaustion such as heavy panting, wheezing, lameness,
disorientation, and slowing or stopping to lie down during
activities. Avoid outdoor activities on very hot days, and be sure
your dog has access to fresh, cool water at all times. There are
many activities you can do with your dog while exercising at the
same time. Try walking, running or hiking with your dog and see how
much better you feel. Some activities provide more exercise for your
dog than for you, but are still a fun way to bond. Play fetch with a
ball or disc, visit the dog park.
Dental Care
Dogs need dental care, too! Unfortunately, dental hygiene for dogs
is sometimes overlooked. Many people seem to just expect dogs to
have bad breath, and few people brush their dogs’ teeth frequently
enough. Plaque and tartar build-up can lead to serious health
problems. Don't wait until dental disease is present - start
focusing on dental care right now, if you nave not already. You can
brush your dog's teeth, use oral rinses, feed dental treats, or all
of the above - just do something. Catching teeth problems early will
help avoid severe dental disease. The simplest way to keep track of
your dog’s teeth is to look at them on a regular basis and be aware
of signs that may indicate a problem. To inspect your dog’s teeth,
lift the lips all around the mouth, looking at the front and back
teeth as closely as possible. Be gentle and use caution so you do
not accidentally get nipped! Your veterinarian will also take a look
at your dog’s teeth during routine examinations, so make sure you
keep up with these.
Warning Signs
Because our dogs cannot speak in words, we must rely on the signs
they give us when it comes to analyzing our dog's health. Your dog
may exhibit a variety of signs that indicate a health problem. Just
like you, your dog can develop a mild illness that resolves on its
own, so not all signs are cause for alarm. However, many dogs will
instinctively try to conceal signs of serious illness. You know your
own dog better than anyone else, so you may be the first to notice
that something is wrong. However, family and friends who do not see
your dog every day may notice subtle changes that need to be
addressed. Immediately contact your veterinarian or go to an
emergency clinic if you observe any of the following signs:
Blue, white or very pale gums
Labored breathing
Collapse or loss of consciousness
Dizziness, imbalance, or circling
Extremely bloated abdomen
Seizures
Signs of acute severe pain (such as crying out very loudly and
excessively) Body temperature over 104 or under 99 (normal is
typically 100.5-102.5) In general, you should contact your vet if
you notice any signs that you deem abnormal for your dog. It is
better to be cautious than to wait.