Dogs are an excellent choice of companion for households, with or without children. They’re a popular pet choice as they offer endless love and attention and can be a lot of fun in social situations. They’re also fairly easy to house-train and can provide an extra layer of security from possible intruders at home, particularly for those people who live alone.
Despite all of the love, protection and joy they offer us, we don’t always give them the best care they deserve. Accustomed to taking out health insurance for ourselves and other members of the family, we don’t always choose to do the same for our canine friends. This is a mistake. Dogs need adequate health insurance just as much as we do. Prone to a number of ailments throughout life, both minor and more serious, a good dog health insurance plan can actually end up saving us money and saving our dog’s life.
So, what are some of the most common dog health problems that we should be on the lookout for?
One of the most common types of arthritis that affects many dogs is osteoarthritis, sometimes referred to as degenerative joint disease. In general, arthritis affects dogs as they get older, but it can also develop in younger dogs as a result of old injuries. If your dog has a good vet and you’re able to take him or her for regular check-ups, the problem is easily managed.
In the same way that we’re seeing a rise in obesity in children and adults across the world, obesity in dogs is also growing to become a real concern. According to recent research, around half of all dogs in the UK are obese. The worrying thing about obesity is that it can lead to the development of serious health problems including diabetes and heart disease.
The best way of preventing or even reversing obesity in dogs is to control their diet and increase their physical activity. To ensure that these changes are effective and won’t put your dog at any kind of risk, you should consult a vet or dog nutrition specialist.
3. Dental disease
We’ve all smelt the power of bad dog breath, but we don’t always realise that bad breath can be a glaring symptom of dental disease. Canine dental issues are often overlooked and the consequences of such neglect can be quite serious. Bacteria that lives in your dog’s mouth can cause damage to teeth and gums and can even manage to filter into your dog’s bloodstream. If this happens, your dog could be susceptible to heart disease or kidney failure.
Prevention is the key. Teeth brushing is one of the most important activities to incorporate into your dog’s regular routine. A quick visit to your vet is all that’s needed to learn how to take better care of your dog’s teeth.
4. Urinary tract infections
When dogs begin to pee in the house, most people put it down to poor behaviour or a lack of house training. Most dog owners think that they need to increase discipline and punish the dog each time it pees to ensure that he or she learns to behave better in the future. However, it’s possible that the real reason for your dog’s apparent behaviour is a urinary tract infection.
If your loyal canine friend is urinating excessively or seems to be suffering from constant thirst, no matter how much water you leave out, you should take him or her to the vet and have them checked over for urine-related problems.
5. Skin issues
A final health problem that can plague a number of dogs relates to the body’s largest organ: the skin. Dogs don’t just scratch because they enjoy it. They also scratch when their skin is irritated in some way. Be on the lookout for changes to your dog’s skin. Redness, inflammation or flakes are all indications of a skin problem that needs medical attention. Possible causes relate to allergies or parasites and, in general, the solution is fairly simple, but your dog can become fairly miserable until the issue is dealt properly with.