Dog Health
Keeping Your Dog Healthy
The best way to keep your dog in good health is to give it regular exercise, and feed it a healthy and well balanced diet. Spending lots of time playing with and stroking your dog will help you to notice any changes in your dog's behaviour, for example if it seems to tire more easily, that could signify a health problem. If you notice any changes like this, you should see a vet for advice.
Dog Dental Hygiene
Dogs can be susceptible to gingivitis (gum disease) as they age, caused by a build up of calculus (a brown substance) on the teeth at the gum line. Regular brushing of your dog's teeth can reduce this. Use a special dog toothpaste, which is safe for dogs to swallow and usually a flavour that will appeal to a dog. You can also get special dog toothbrushes, but it is safe to use human ones if you get soft nylon ones.
To brush the dog's teeth, start by letting it taste the toothpaste and licking it from the brush. After putting more toothpaste on the brush, gently open the dogs mouth and start to brush the front of the front teeth. Keep your dog relaxed, and slowly work your way around the rest of the mouth. If you do this regularly, your dog will get used to it, and it will become easier. Vets usually recommend brushing around twice a week.
Dog Health Checks
Your vet can carry out regular health checks to make sure that everything is fine with your dog. In addition to this, there are things that you can check. If you do this every few days from when your dog is young, it will get used to you doing it, and will be happy for you to do it. You will also get used to what is normal, and will be able to spot any changes easily.
Check the hair and skin appear to be clean, that the hair is not too greasy, and that there are no patches of matted fur or hair loss, or red or inflamed skin. See if your dogs eyes are clean, with no cloudiness or dullness, and that the eyelids are not red or swollen. The ears should also be clean, with no redness or swelling. The easiest and quickest way to spot an ear infection is the smell. The inside of the ear should smell dry and clean. If is smells bad, there may be an infection, so take your dog to see a vet. Check the teeth are clean and none are broken and that the gums are not red and swollen. Check your dogs feet for broken nails or nails that are too long, and check the pads for injuries and thorns or stones between the toes.
Changes in Behaviour
In addition to the health checks mentioned above, any changes in normal behavious could also indicate health problems. If your dog is normally active and wide awake when it is not sleeping (and most dogs are), being less active or less interested in playing or going for a walk could indicate a health issue, and could have many causes. Changes in appetite, excessive drinking or weight loss could also be a sign that something is wrong. If you notice any changes in behaviour, take your dog to the vet to get it checked out.
Dog Insurance
Vet bills can be very expensive when something unexpected happens, and it is important to consider pet insurance to be certain that you can deal with the costs if your dog becomes ill or has an accident. Vets, breeders and re-homing charities all recommend PetPlan's policies because they been dedicated solely to pet insurance for more than 25 years.
