If you have a dog then you probably want the best for your pet. But it’s pretty likely that you are one of the sorts of dog owners who cannot be cruel to be kind and who gives in to the temptation to feed the dog scraps of human food.However, it is important to remember that some foods that humans regularly consume can be poisonous to dogs and might result in a serious dog health care emergency.

A classic example of a type of food that we people regularly enjoy but that is very dangerous to dog health care is chocolate.A lot of people are aware that it isn’t good for dogs, but it is actually very dangerous for dogs to eat. Whilst hallucinations, internal bleeding and seizures all arise from eating chocolate, the worst case scenario could be death. Because even a small chocolate bar could be enough to kill a dog, depending on its size, it really isn’t worth taking the risk.Dogs that have ingested chocolate should be made to be sick as quickly as possible and veterinary advice should be sought.

Most dogs won’t appear too keen to eat raisins or grapes anyway, but the fruits are incredibly dangerous to dog health care. If a dog eats a big enough quantity of grapes or raisins is eaten then a dog will suffer kidney failure and most likely death. Whilst bigger dogs or dogs of particular breeds may be able to eat more grapes or raisins before the toxicity takes effect, it is just not worth taking the risk to dog health care.

Onions and macadamia nuts are also serious threats to dog health care. Shakes, stiffness, hyperthermia and stomach pain are all symptoms of a dog having eaten them.

We don’t often see drunk dogs, but a dog that has been drinking alcohol will behave in a comparable way to a drunken human. Obviously, jus tlike it does to humans, alcohol can leave a dog feeling very poorly. However, if the alcohol is beer there is a further problem. Dog health care is jeopardised by the hops which are used to make the beer. The hops cause malignant hyperthermia which very often leads to death. The amount of hops a dog can tolerate before becoming seriously ill depends on size and breed and greyhounds are particularly susceptible.

Even though most dog owners are familiar with the basic principles of dog health care, it is still very important to follow this advice to take the best care of your pet.

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Anybody considering bringing home a new puppy should carefully consider where to buy it from. Buying a puppy from the wrong place could leave you dealing with all types of dog health care problems. This is because of the danger of unwittingly buying a puppy who was born in a puppy farm.

Puppy farms do not promote dog health care. In fact, farmed puppies are unlikely to be healthy.They frequently suffer serious physical and psychological ill health. They also frequently demonstrate problem behaviour.

The problems arise from the conditions in which the puppies are kept.Because puppy farms are just breeding facilities with profit as the only concern, the dogs are kept in poor conditions. The dogs have almost no contact with humans and are not able to move around or exercise.

Health wise the dogs suffer too. Mother dogs are malnourished because of the poor quality food they are fed in only the smallest amounts.Female dogs are bred as often as is possible from the age of four months until death or sickness stops them. This frequent breeding leaves both mother and puppies unhealthy.In order to increase profits, puppies are taken away from their mothers too early so that she may then go on have another litter. This, coupled with a lack of contact with humans leads to dog health care problems and behavioural disorders.

Puppies in pet shops are usually the product of puppy farms, so it’s not advisable to buy them.Internet and newspaper adverts are also risky.Therefore, if buying a puppy from an internet or classified advert always insist on seeing the puppies with their siblings and mother as well as the father if possible. If the seller makes excuses about the whereabouts of the mother then they should not be trusted.Farmed puppies might be offered cheaper than the going rate, but the saving is next to nothing when extra future vet bills, behavioural problems and heart break are taken into account. Ask dog owning friends and family for breeder recommendations instead of buying a farmed puppy.

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If the dog exhibits signs of coughing and sneezing, accompanied by a runny nose and eyes, this will probably be an uncomplicated cold so you need to try not to stress too much. However, if the coughing and sneezing becomes persistent then your pet could be suffering from Parainfluenza. If you believe this, it is critical for dog health care for you to keep the dog separate from any other dogs because the illness is exceptionally contagious. Get him into the vet’s.

One affliction termed Canine Kennel Cough is characterised by a raspy cough with phlegm. This is often much more serious, so if your dog’s symptoms remain a problem for more than a few days with no improvement, consult the vet’s. Another dangerous variation on respiratory infections in dogs is distemper. This is when cold symptoms are coupled with gastro-intestinal symptoms. Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, as it has a substantial fatality rate. Get your pet to the vet’s if you believe he has Distemper.

Usually, less extreme colds just like a typical common cold in humans will run its course in just a few days. If your dog has experienced cold symptoms for more than ten days with no indication of recovery then you ought to take him to the vet’s where he will be able to receive dog health care. The reason for this is because un-mended colds and viruses which the dog’s own disease fighting capability has been unable to protect against can develop into pneumonia that is much more serious. This is characterised by coughing and difficulty breathing.

Regarding seeking treatment for your dog, typically just young dogs and more senior dogs require professional aid for simple common colds. Adult dogs which are mostly in good health may be looked after at home in comparable ways to how we’d take care of ourselves if we got a cold. Do not attempt to give your pet over the counter cold remedies as there is a danger of overdose. Make certain the dog is kept cozy and dry and limit their time outside for the reason that cold may make breathing harder when their bronchial tubes already are a little bit stuffed up. As with people, dogs will have to keep well hydrated, so give them a bit of lukewarm chicken soup. You can also try out dog health care in the home making your pet more cozy by letting him inhale warm steamy air inside your bathroom following a hot shower for five minutes. This will help to alleviate his congestion.

Don’t forget, if you’re caring for your adult dog in your own home and his symptoms become worse, he ceases eating or his coughing stops him from sleeping then it’s high time to take him to the vet’s.

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Countless dog owners who assume they know about dog health care are often taken aback by the variety of healthcare treatment for dogs. It’s a terrible shame that a great many dogs are put to sleep when they get unwell though their affliction may be treatable.

One instance of a relatively uncomplicated dog health care practice is dog blood donation, which is progressively more common in the UK. Unfortunately not enough vets are entirely conscious of the ease of the practice and therefore do not promote it adequately to dog owners.

Another illustration is the usage of pace makers in dogs. It is remarkable to think that a dog’s lifetime could be extended by the exact same kind of medical procedures that enables innumerable humans to survive for a longer time when experiencing conditions which slow their heartbeats and it is testament to the effort that goes into dog health care research behind the scenes.

The usage of pacemakers on our canine friends is reasonably uncommon, due to the tremendous expense, with the treatment being pioneered in the US. A fascinating fact is that no company makes pace makers specifically for dogs, consequently human products are used. This means that to keep costs low about a tenth of pacemakers used on dogs in America are reused from humans who have died.

Fitting a pace maker to a dog which, apart from the heart illness, is in good health can enable them to survive between three and six years longer. You learn something new about dog health care each day!

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Dogs are very curious animals and as omnivores and natural scavengers, can get into and eat just about anything. There are many things outside the home that dogs end up eating, but the same also applies inside the home, and with a number of toxic chemicals lying around, there is a great risk of harm coming to your dog. The following is a list of 4 common household substances that you should make sure to keep out of your dog’s reach. Just by following these simple steps you can make sure your dog health care routine is boosted.

1) Antifreeze: Although not widely known, antifreeze can be a killer for dogs. It’s the sweet smell of the antifreeze that attracts dogs. Inside antifreeze you’ll find ethylene glycol and this is toxic. The symptoms of ingesting a toxic substance are awful, and your dog will end up with kidney failure. You can prevent this painful death by just making sure the product is kept far out of reach. If your dog does end up ingesting some antifreeze, call the vet immediately.

2) Chocolate: Baking chocolate and dark chocolate are very dangerous. While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death do occur with smaller amounts ingested. The symptoms you need to be aware of with chocolate poisoning are diarrhoea and vomiting. This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Even the slightest suspicion that your dog might have even chocolate means you have to visit the vet to get checked out. Chocolate ingestion is very dangerous for your dog’s health.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Anything containing bleach should be out of sight and out of mind. Bleach-related symptoms include drooling and vomiting. However, one important thing to remember is that vomiting should not be induced s this can make the situation worse. Just by following these tips, you can feel confident that you’re doing all you can to keep on top of your dog health care routine.

4) Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma. Once again, any mouthwash ingestion requires a visit to the vet.

If you own a pet then you have to take responsibility for it and this means looking after its health and keeping toxic products out of reach. Pet owners do a lot for their pets in terms of feeding and grooming, but a proper dog health care routine isn’t complete without making sure dangerous products are kept away from the pet. As always, if you think your dog may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the closest emergency clinic.

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Here are the answers to just a few of the questions most commonly posed by dog owners.

1. What supplies do I need to have on hand before I bring my new puppy home?

Always remember to take a travel crate with you when picking up your puppy. Think of the other puppy essentials such as food and water bowls, and these need to be in place before you bring your puppy home. Your vet, breeder or shelter personnel can tell you which brands of food are the best. Other items you’ll need to get in advance of the new puppy’s arrival are: an adjustable collar, a lead, toys and bedding. Make your first appointment with the vet to get your puppy checked over.

2. I’ve heard about microchipping – what is this?

Microchipping is very popular these days and it is an essential part of dog health care. The vet will place a small device under your pet’s skin near the neck. Then, should your dog ever run off and get picked up by a shelter, they can read the microchip and place it back in your safe hands. Do you need to microchip your dog? If you are always with your dog, then a microchip might not be necessary. Even if you have reservations about microchipping, it is a pain-free process and completely safe so it is definitely worth considering. Even the most closely guarded dogs can get away from their owners.

4. I’m concerned that my dog might have worms – how can I tell for sure?

Knowing more about dog health care means delving deeper into the world of potential health problems, and one such issue can be worms. Some of the most common worms that a dog can potentially have are: heartworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms. Many of these worms can be dangerous for your dog and cause internal irritation. Get your vet to check for worms on a regular basis so your dog can stay fit and healthy.

5. Neutering – is it worth it?

It is true that unless you are planning to breed from your pet dog, getting it spayed or neutered is the right route to go down. There are just not enough homes for all of the puppies and kittens born each year; and, as a result, over 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized annually. There are many pets neutered and spayed each day and the majority come out absolutely fine, so it is definitely worth doing – plus, things are so quick these days that your pet could be out in the same day.

In addition to its being an effective pet population control measure, spaying and neutering can also benefit your dog’s health. If you have your dog neutered or spayed before it reaches 6 months of age, then its risk of developing certain types of cancers and infections will be cut in half.

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