DID YOU KNOW...

People food can be deadly to dogs and cats. Some of the foods that are toxic to pets are grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate, avocado, onion, tea, and certain citrus fruits, as well as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Don’t leave tempting foods in reach. If you want to give your dog and cat a tasty snack, choose specially formulated treats for dogs or cats.

Your dog depends on you to take care of them and give them what they need to live a healthy life. From puppyhood to the senior years, there are many things you can do to keep your dog healthy. Even though disease and illness can occur without cause or warning, many health problems can be prevented or postponed with the right care and treatment.

Ten Top Dog Diseases and Health Issues

Dogs are prone to many diseases, from mild to severe, treatable to fatal, and curable to chronic. There are literally hundreds of conditions that can affect your dog’s health, but ten of the most common ones are listed below:

Tips for Keeping Your Dog Healthy

While you can not completely eliminate all health risks in your dog, there are several steps you can take to promote good health in your dog for many years to come.

• Take your dog to a veterinarian for routine check-ups
• Get your dog the recommended vaccinations
• Use a flea and tick preventive
• Feed your dog a healthy diet
• Exercise your dog regularly
• Brush your dog's teeth

Veterinary Exams

Routine veterinary exams give your veterinarian the opportunity to monitor your dog’s health, administer recommended vaccinations, and screen for health problems. When a disease or medical problem is caught in the early stages, there is a better chance of treating it successfully. You will be able to ask questions about your dog’s health and your veterinarian will be able to give you advice on caring for your dog.

Dog Vaccinations

Some of the most deadly dog diseases can be prevented with vaccinations, including distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), leptospirosis, kennel cough (parainfluenza and bordetella), parvovirus, coronavirus, and rabies. Your veterinarian will advise you on proper immunizations based on the health and age of your dog.

Flea & Tick Preventive

Fleas and ticks are not only irritating to dogs and their families, but can cause many serious health problems as well. Fleas are the main cause of skin problems in dogs, can spread disease, transmit tapeworms, cause anemia, and even lead to death. Ticks can transmit many serious diseases, including Lyme disease. Using a flea and tick medication will help prevent flea infestations and tick attachments and promote the comfort and health of your dog.

Healthy Diet and Regular Exercise

Just like people, a dog’s health depends on being fed a balanced diet of nutritional foods, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. Many common dog illnesses develop because a dog becomes overweight due to overfeeding and insufficient exercise. Excess weight can lead to many serious health conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, as well as reduce your dogs ability to play and move around.

Dental Care

Routine dental care helps to prevent tooth loss, gum disease, and bad breath. It is also good for the overall health of your dog. Dental problems often trigger more serious health conditions, such as heart disease and a weakened immune system. Although it can be a challenge, try to brush your dog’s teeth on a weekly or monthly basis. Or, you can try using a dental formula foods or tartar control treats, such as greenies.