No matter how much energy your dog may seem to have each day, there are bound to be times when he or she isn’t feeling the greatest. Just like us!
And, just like us, there are a number of serious health issues that can affect dogs. Some of these can be seriously debilitating. Prevention is key, but you can’t always prevent everything. Here’s a brief guide to the most common health issues in dogs and how you can resolve them naturally.
Arthritis
The older a dog gets, the more likely he or she will eventually suffer from some form of degenerative joint condition, joint pain, or osteoarthritis. The cartilage in a dog’s joint begins to wear out, causing pain and inflammation when the bones in the joint rub together.
- Help your dog maintain his weight by keeping him active. Short but frequent walks will keep excess pounds off his ailing joints.
- Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet; turmeric, ginger, papaya, and glucosamine-rich broths will help keep inflammation on the low. Avoid commercial pet foods as these are high in inflammatory sugars and starches.
- Supplement with a high-quality join supplement, such as Lively Paws joint supplements for dogs.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus occurs when your dog’s pancreas is producing some insulin, but his body isn’t utilizing the insulin as it should. The cells don’t respond to the insulin’s “message,” which means the glucose isn’t being moved from the bloodstream and into the cells. This type of diabetes is particularly common in older, overweight dogs. Unfortunately, the prolonged effects of high blood sugar level can damage many organs.
- Treating diabetes in dogs begins with a healthy diet — ideally a complete, balanced raw diet that offers high-quality protein, includes healthy fats and necessary vitamins and minerals, and is low in carbohydrates.
- To help manage your dog’s weight and keep them fit, regular exercise is vital. Exercise can also help to avoid sudden spikes or drops in glucose levels.
- Many diabetic dogs will require daily shots of insulin under the skin.
Dental disease
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. In fact, over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease. The most common problems seen in dogs are periodontal disease and fractured teeth.
- Regular checkups at the vet are essential for monitoring your dog’s teeth. Dental problems are often missed until the dog begins having trouble chewing.
- The most effective way to prevent tartar build-up by brushing your dog’s teeth daily with a special dog toothpaste—one that is designed to be swallowed—or including raw meaty bones in the diet, which help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar.
- Avoid dog foods and chews that use chemical additives to aid in plaque removal.
Fleas and ticks
As social creatures, dogs can easily pick up fleas from their surrounding environment—especially after contact with other animals. Fleas can jump from dog to dog or between other pets in your household, or from bedding. Ticks are common from early spring well into late fall or early winter and can transmit Lyme disease and ehrlichia, among other things.
- Apple cider vinegar diluted with water (2 cups water to ¼ cup ACV) is an effective repellent against these pests. Mix it in a spray bottle and spray before going out for a walk. Add a few drops of Neem oil for an extra boost. Alternatively, you can add a bit of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s food each morning.
- Coconut oil can be rubbed directly into your dog’s coat to both repel fleas and make the coat shiny and healthy. Adding coconut oil to your dog’s food can also help ward off intestinal parasites thanks to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
Anxiety
Dogs can experience anxiety due to fear, separation, or just as a part of their aging process. Loud noises, new environments, and strange people or animals can all make your dog become fearful and anxious. Kip, a dog care centre, provides services that ensure your dogs are immersed in environments that a personal to your pup and their needs.
- CBD oil is a great way to relieve anxiety in dogs. Adding a few drops to your dog’s food or water (or simply dropping it into their mouth) can reduce their fear and stress and help them feel more relaxed. Visit this page to learn more.
- Music can do wonders for anxious dogs. A 2017 study from the University of Glasgow showed that music helps dogs who showed signs of anxiety while in kennels. Soft rock and reggae appears to be the most effective!
- Anti-anxiety dog coats are designed to swaddle a dog and place pressure on their chest, inducing a sense of security.
Ear infections
Infections of the ear canal are another common issue in dogs, and are often caused by allergies, yeast, ear mites, bacteria, or hair growing in the canal. If your dog is shaking or tilting his head, scratching his ears, or producing a strange odor from his ears, an infection could be the problem.
- Chamomile harbors anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antiseptic qualities. Make a chamomile tea and allow it to cool, then add a few drops to your dog’s ears.
- Garlic is a powerful antibacterial that’s safe and effective for dogs. There are many herbal ear mixtures for dogs that contain garlic, but you can also feed a small amount daily to your dog to help fight mild infections from the inside.
Infectious tracheobronchitis in dogs (aka kennel cough) is one of the most common illnesses a dog can get. It’s highly contagious and spreads very quickly, and is mostly contracted at dog parks, kennels, doggy daycare, and other areas where larger groups of dogs meet. While the symptoms will usually pass after a few weeks on their own, kennel cough can sometimes result in more serious respiratory issues such as collapsed trachea or pneumonia in dogs. It’s especially important to get your animal doctor to do a proper examination if your dog has shown symptoms of kennel cough for more than 2 weeks.
