A Healthy Dog is a Happy Dog

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth and Other Healthy Tips

Keeping our dogs happy and healthy is something we strive for each and every day, but our dogs are bound to have some ailments that make them feel unwell or uncomfortable. There are many things we can do as preventative measures to help fight against some common doggie ailments and diseases.

Dogs can’t tell us through words when they are feeling sick or under the weather, so we have to keep a close eye on our dogs for signs of illness. Look for:

• Changes in their daily habits or personality like lethargy, no interest in eating or taking a walk

• Changes in their potty habits like urinating more frequently and loose stools or diarrhea

• Coughing or hacking

• Excessive sneezing, salivating or vomiting

• Sudden weight loss

• Bad breath

These can be signs of common ailments like:

Arthritis, Dental Disease, Allergies, Skin infections and Hot Spots, Benign growths, Parasites, Ear infections, and Digestive issues. Check out Dog Health Issues: Common Conditions by Breed, Size, Age for more information on doggie health issues.

Here are a few tips on things you can do help prevent some of these ailments and keep your doggie healthy and happy.

Brush your doggie’s teeth regularly. Healthy teeth can mean better health. It can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and the build-up of plaque. Doggie tooth brushes and finger tooth brushes are available from pet stores or online along with special canine toothpaste often in flavors like chicken or beef. Brushing once a day or at least 3 times a day can make a difference. For tips on how to brush your dog’s teeth, check out this article, Toothbrushing Steps to Make Dog Teeth Dazzle.

Dietary supplements can be a great way to keep your dog in good condition. Some popular supplements include probiotics, fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, and CBD oil. Probiotics are naturally occurring in humans and dogs and aid in digestive function. Adding a probiotic to your dog’s food can help your dog’s digestive system.

Fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your dog’s fur, coat, and skin. If you dog suffers from arthritis, adding glucosamine and chondroitin can help their joints. CBD oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and can also aid in calming an anxious dog. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog supplements.

For more information on supplements check out Four Popular Dog Supplements.

For more information on use of CBD with dogs check out CBD Oil for Dogs: What You Need to Know.

Regular vet check-ups is an important way to monitor your dog’s health and track any ailments or health issues. During these appointments your vet will check your dog’s overall health, take regular diagnostic tests to monitor health and provide vaccinations as a preventative for diseases.

Preventative medications like those for heartworm and fleas and ticks are important to keeping your dog healthy. Heartworm is a parasitic disease caused by a worm transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. Regular administration of heartworm medication can prevent this potentially dangerous disease. Check out Keep the Worms Out of Your Pet’s Heart! The Facts about Heartworm Disease for more information on heartworm disease. Fleas and ticks also carry diseases that can be prevented through the use of flea and tick preventatives. For more information on flea and tick diseases, check out What You Need to Know About Fleas and Ticks.

A healthy diet is important to keep your dog healthy. Twice daily meals are a good routine with limited treats during the day. The dog food you choose may be influenced by any special dietary needs or allergies of your dog. Organic treats are a great idea as they are healthy and generally flavorful. Ava’s Pet Palace has some great treats for dogs that are completely organic.

Regular walks and activity for your dog is a great way to keep the muscles moving and a great opportunity for bonding with your dog. Ten to fifteen minute walks twice a day will give your dog a chance to get exercise and use the bathroom. When the weather is extremely hot or cold, walking times may be limited, so indoor activities can be a great addition to walking as exercise.

Remember a healthy dog is a happy dog, so keep an eye out for signs of illness and incorporate some of these tips in your dog’s daily routine.