Total Dog Magazine

Tag: Dog Health Tips

  • What Do You Know About Raised Dog Bowls?

    When you own a dog of a particular size you need to get acquainted with the subject of raised dog bowls – particularly if your dog is preparing to enter their senior years because it could save them a lot of discomfort in their later years.

    Why?

    1. Raised dog bowls help to elevate your dog’s eating position, meaning they have less of a distance to stoop to eat and less pressure is put on them (specifically their neck) as they bend to eat. The less strain that’s put on them in their younger years, the less pain they will potentially suffer if arthritis sets in. It’s a small step to take to try to ease your dog’s discomfort as they age.
    2. Elevated or raised dog bowls come in different styles, shapes and sizes. Some are wall mounted, some are stainless steel and easy to wash, others are plastic or you just buy the dog bowl stand and match with your own bowls. Some come in different designs and colours, meaning you can tone to match or compliment your decor.
    3. Although we’ve touched on the benefit of the raised dog bowl for medium to larger dog breeds, in fact the same benefits apply to all dog breeds. The less distance any dog has to stoop to eat and the easier you make it for them to eat closer to their natural height, the better.

    It’s all about creating a happy, healthy future for your dog. That’s why we decided to look into the concept of these bowls – let us know if you have and how you got on!

     

  • Putting Clothes on Dogs Could Lead to Skin Problems, Experts Say

    A recent survey has claimed that there is a link between dogs who wear clothes and the rising number of dogs who suffer from skin conditions.

    The findings, which have been released by Direct Line Pet Insurance say that a third of vets tell them the main reasons for this are clothing rubbing against the skin, while others claimed the clothes could cause stress and dogs may overheat as a result of the extra layer.

    Despite owners worrying that their dogs may be cold in the winter, advice from veterinary professionals is that they typically don’t need to wear clothes. Their skin is well protected with hair and, although they may get wet, they dry off quickly and rain is unlikely to do them any harm.

    Commenting on the findings Dr Andrew Francis RCVS, Chief Operations Officer at Pawsquad, said: “Owners should be mindful that sometimes putting their dogs in clothing can cause skin damage, as the added materials can irritate a dog’s skin. Skin disease is the most common reason for people seeking an online veterinary consultation and, while easily treated, can cause problems if left for a long period of time. If any owner is concerned their dog may be suffering from skin disease they should speak to a vet.”

    5 Most Common Breeds Susceptible to Skin Conditions

    To help dog owners who are concerned but aren’t sure if they should visit their vet yet, Direct Line Pet Insurance has partnered with Pawsquad to offers its customers access to live chat and video calls with qualified, experienced vets to discuss their pet’s needs 24/7.

    Prit Powar, head of Pet Insurance at Direct Line said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Pawsquad, as it means our customers are able to speak to a qualified vet any time, night or day, for additional peace of mind and without affecting the cost of their premium. We would always urge customers to see a vet in person if it is an emergency but for those cases, like skin disease, which may not need a face to face meeting the service will be invaluable.”

    Clothes Might Not Be the Only Reason a Dog’s Skin Is Irritated

    While clothes undoubtedly don’t help some dogs, there are other common reasons a dog’s skin might be irritated.

    Common reasons include seasonal allergies (even grass), to household laundry products, so consider if you have recently switched fabric conditioners if your dog is having problems.

    Hot spots on a dog’s skin can also be caused by allergies to parasites, such as fleas.

    According to Dogadvice.co.uk, “Quite a few dogs are so sensitive to fleas, the bite of one flea is sufficient to trigger the dog to itch all over. Any sort of injury can begin the process which the dog then exacerbates by relentless chewing and licking which in turn results in a vicious cycle and will cause the hot spot to spread.”

    Make sure you keep your dog flea free using a suitable flea treatment for dogs for safety and speak with your vet to make sure the underlying cause of the skin problem is resolved so that your dog doesn’t experience on an ongoing basis.

     

  • Total Dog Health: Canine Cancer Care Sheet

    Cancer in pets is more common than you think. It is the number one natural cause of death in geriatric cats and dogs and accounts for nearly 50 percent of pet deaths each year. Some breeds are especially susceptible to cancer.

    Although the leading cause of death in older cats and dogs, cancer also is the most treatable disease when compared to life-limiting diseases such as congestive heart failure, renal failure and diabetes. An educated and dedicated veterinary health care team is essential to caring for cancer-stricken pets. (more…)

  • Cataracts in Dogs: What You Need to Know

    Canine Cataracts: A Total Dog Care Sheet

    Owners of older dogs often notice begin to notice a bluish white film start to develop over the eyes of their dog. As dogs age, eye problems – particularly cataracts – are more common. The condition is a thickening of the lenses, which is a function of age. It can become present in dogs of any age but normally happens as the dog enters their senior years and it tends to progress slowly. (more…)