Your Dog's Health - What You Must
Know Now
Dogs are one of the most popular pets in America. Dogs needs adequate love and care just as a human does. Your dog's health is very important and should be taken seriously. Two of the most important aspects of your dog's health that you should be aware of are: Diet and Disease.
 Diet
Diet is one of the most important aspects of your dog's care. If your dog isn't eating a well-balanced nutritional diet, then this could result in your dog becoming overweight. Your dog's individual nutritional needs depends on several factors: age, breed, and size. If you want to be sure of what exactly your dog's needs are, you should consult your veterinarian for that information. A few key foods to avoid that are harmful to dogs are: chocolate, grapes, raisins, and onions. Also, you should avoid feeding your dog apricot or peach pits because they can cause cyanide poisioning in your dog. Some great dog food brands that offer nutritional food are canned or dry food by: Innova, Pedigree, and Science Diet.
What you feed your dog is only part of ensuring your dog has good health overall. Exercise is an essential part of keeping your dog at a healthy weight.
Disease
Diseases are concerns an owner should be aware of in regards to their dog's health. Two of the most serious contracted viral diseases among dogs is rabies and canine parvovirus. Canine parvovirus is common among puppies and can be fatal. Rabies is not only hazardous to your dog's health but the humans he/she comes in contact with. Therefore, it is vital that you get your dog vaccinated for both of these viral diseases. When it comes to bacterial diseases which are spread by infected ticks and fleas, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are the most common problems. Fungal diseases are also among the contracted diseases that affect dogs. The most common ones are ringworm and hookworm. However, both can be easily treated with medication.
Contracted diseases are not the only diseases a dog owner should be aware of, genetic diseases are also a concern. Some particular breeds are known to have genetic disorders and much research has been conducted to determine which breeds and which disorders. Usually large purebred dogs inherit a genetic disorder or disease. One such breed is the Labrador Retriever which is suspectible to hip dysplasia. When purchasing a breed, the soon-to-be owner should be aware of the possible disorder(s) and address the dog's needs in relation to the condition. Dogs like humans can be affected by degenerative diseases such as arthritus but they can treat it with an anti-inflammatory medication from the vet.
When it comes to your dog's diet and potential diseases, your veterinarian is the best person to give advice and answer questions you might have. However, it doesn't hurt for owners to research information on the internet; there are a number of medical websites related to dogs. The better your handle on your dog's health, the longer a life your dog will have.
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