Pet Advice for Dogs - Health
Looking for dog specific advice? Here you will find all the essential information you need to know about your dog at every life stage.
Click through the tabs to discover more about your pet:
Brushing: Dogs often groom each other in the wild as a sign of companionship. Brushing
your dog creates a similar bonding experience and has the benefit of
keeping their coat shiny and clean. Different coats require different
grooming techniques and tools.
- Medium and long coats: Use
a wire dog brush. Brush very gently to avoid scratching and irritating
your dog’s skin. Angle the brush so it’s close to the skin. Start at
the head and work down to the tail, working with the angle of the coat
hair.
- Short smooth coats: A rubber dog brush removes loose hair and dirt. It also increases blood circulation to the skin.
It’s
a good idea to brush your dog before a bath as it disperses oil and
loosens dirt. And for all dogs, sensitive areas are the tummy and
genitals.
Washing: Use a shampoo that’s
right for your dog’s breed. Your vet will be able to suggest some of
the better options. You’ll only need to bathe your dog about once a
month provided he/she has relatively good personal grooming habits.
Bathing too regularly could dry out the skin, making it itchy and
flaky.
OPTIMUM® Dry Dog products can help keep your dog’s skin and coat looking beautiful and in peak condition, click here to find the best OPTIMUM® dry product for your dog.
Check regularly that your dog’s ears are free from wax build-up and dirt. This will help prevent irritation, infection and inflammation. It’s best to check when your dog is in a happy or relaxed mood. Depending on their breed, gently hold or fold back their ears so you can have a good look inside. For more information consult your vet.
Hip Dysplasia is a common degenerative joint disease particularly prevalent amongst large breed dogs. Meaning “badly formed hip”, Hip Dysplasia is characterised by an ill-fitting hip joint in which the ball at the top of the leg bone doesn’t fit smoothly in the pocket of the hip.The symptoms are similar to those of osteoarthritis and include altered gait, stiffness, obvious pain, limping and decreased activity levels.
Although it can’t be prevented, Hip Dysplasia can be treated with surgery or a variety of medical treatments. Large and giant breeds are more likely to develop the condition and breeds particularly at risk are German Shepherds, Labradors, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers.
Letting nails grow too long can be painful for your dog. If you haven’t done this before, take your dog to the vet or groomer and ask them to show you when and how to clip them and what tools to use.
Nobody enjoys bad breath, so if your dog’s is a bit on the nose, there are things you can do to clear the air. The possible causes of bad breath include an unbalanced diet, nose and mouth infections, tartar buildup and tooth decay.
Teething puppies are also prone to bad breath but this is usually a temporary problem. Depending on the cause, there are a variety of remedies for smelly breath. Regular brushing of your dog’s teeth will reduce tartar buildup and help prevent tooth decay.
Feeding specially designed dental chews or raw bones can help clean the surface of the teeth and massage the gums. Regular vet checks, including a dental exam, are recommended to keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
It’s not just dimensions that differentiate small dogs from their larger relatives – aging rates and maturity also vary depending on size. Although small-medium dogs will reach their full weight and size earlier than large dogs, they reach their senior years later. A small dog enters its senior years at approximately 7 years, compared to around 5 years for large breeds.
Although they mature later, small dogs won’t show signs of aging until after large dogs do. These maturity and aging rates generally mean that small-medium breeds live longer than large breeds.
To learn more about how your dog will age, click here.
Is your dog’s breath a little smelly? It could be tartar buildup, tooth decay or a nose or mouth infection. If you notice changes in your dog’s mouth or breath you should consult your vet. OPTIMUM® Oral Care has been designed to help reduce the build up of plaque and tartar, promoting healthy teeth and gums.
The mechanical action of chewing the specifically designed kibble, in combination with the active ingredient (sodium tripolyphosphate) promotes good oral hygiene.
Click here to read more about OPTIMUM Oral Care for Dogs.
It’s often tempting to give your dog a snack, especially if he is looking expectedly at you and your food. But be aware that human snacks aren’t always suitable for dogs as many contain high levels of preservatives and fats, which can be detrimental, especially if you are trying to manage your dog’s weight.
And although you may love it, chocolate is a no-no for dogs as it contains an ingredient that is potentially poisonous to pooches. This is not to say you can’t treat your dog, just do it with nutritious doggy snacks and in moderation to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
As dogs age they can start to lose their eyesight and rely more on their sense of smell and hearing. In determining whether your dog has a vision problem, it is important to take note of both physical signs, such as watery eyes or redness in the eyes, and behavioural signs, such as difficulty moving around the house.
Most likely your dog would have memorised the layout of your house and so if he is gradually losing his sight, you may not notice. If you are worried, visit your vet for an eye exam. If your pooch has vision problems, try to keep his environment safe and familiar by not moving furniture, bedding or food bowls.
Also, it’s a good idea to talk to your dog before approaching him, to avoid any unexpected frights.
