Health

You love your dog just the way they are, so you probably won’t worry too much if they seem to put on just a few extra pounds. But from a health point of view, size really does matter! Although weighing your dog and monitoring their weight regularly is a good idea, this can be tricky as there is a lot of variation between breeds and it’s not always easy to know what is right for your pet. That’s where dog body condition scoring can make things easier. What is the dog body condition score? Dog body condition scoring allows you to assess the amount of fat your dog is carrying, it is easy to do at home without scales, and can identify problems in overweight dogs before the scales show a big change. What’s more, the scale applies to nearly every kind of dog, so you can easily check them between visits to the vet whether they’re big, small, wiry or extremely furry! Why is the dog body condition score important? Owning a dog means keeping a close eye on your dog’s body score and working to maintain an 'ideal' score of four or five throughout all stages of your dog's life. This can also decrease the risk of health problems associated with owning an overweight dog. These include arthritis, heart disease and even diabetes, which not only mean large vet bills but an unhappy, uncomfortable dog – more reason than ever to get them in shape! Like people, each one processes their food in a slightly different way, particularly depending on their age and activity level. If your dog gets more calories than they need, those excess calories may be stored as fat, which in the worst case can lead to obesity in dogs. "Learning how to perform a body condition score for your pet, and regularly assessing this in combination with appropriate nutrition and exercise, will ensure you're doing your best for your pet's health and wellbeing", says Zara Boland, Purina's vet.

Nobody likes to think of their dog having worms, but there’s nothing unusual about it – in fact, your puppy or dog has probably had them at some point in their lives! Most puppies are actually born with worms, which are contracted from their mother’s milk, while other dog worms are obtained from fleas or the environment. If you puppy or dog has worms, there’s no need to worry – your vet can help you with treatment. If done speedily, there’s no need for your dog’s health to be compromised at all.

Arthritis in dogs is the biggest cause of chronic pain, particularly in older pets. With early diagnosis and appropriate management, your pet can continue to lead a happy life. Arthritis in dogs is an extremely common condition and the main cause of chronic pain in dogs. According to Canine Arthritis Management, Osteoarthritis affects an estimated four out of five older dogs, and sadly it’s progressive – meaning that it cannot be cured and gradually worsens. However, there are plenty of management options available to help slow the disease progression and alleviate the symptoms. Many dogs continue to live a happy and otherwise healthy life after diagnosis. If you suspect yoursenior doghas arthritis, you’ll probably be wondering about the symptoms and the current dog arthritis treatment and management options available. To help, we’ve created this guide to tell you everything you need to know about arthritis in dogs.

Your dog will always do their best to love you, and you can do the same by making sure they are microchipped and that you always keep their details up to date. Dog microchipping means that should they ever go missing, they have the very best chance of being found and safely returned to you as soon as possible – and if they cause any chaos, injury or damage if they escape or stray, you can be legally identified as their owner. If you’ve recently got a new puppy, you might be wondering ‘do dogs have to be microchipped?’, ‘how is a microchip inserted into a dog?’ and more about dog microchipping. Keep reading to find out all about them and the current dog microchip laws.

Addison’s disease in dogs is a disorder which is caused by insufficient levels of hormones produced by the adrenal glands. It’s named after Thomas Addison, the British scientist who first discovered the disease. We’ve put together this guide to tell you all you need to know about Addison’s in dogs, including the symptoms and treatment options currently available – keep reading to find out more.

Alabama rot is a rare disease that affects dogs of all sizes, ages, breeds and genders. It was first discovered in Greyhounds in Alabama, USA in the 1980s, but cases dwindled out quickly. Many years later in 2012, cases with very similar signs were identified in the UK, and this is thought to be the same disease. There have been more cases reported in recent years but it’s unclear how much of this is because the disease is on the up and how much is because owners and vets are better informed about recognising the signs.

Every owner wishes they could have superpowers when they see their best friend struggling. Imagine being able to open the kitchen cupboard or go into your garden and find a cure-all that instantly relieves your dog’s discomfort, whether it’s itchy skin, fleas or an upset stomach. It turns out there are a few tricks that might make this scenario possible. We’ve put together a handy list of home remedies for dogs to help whenever your pup feels a bit under the weather. But before we dive in, we have a word of caution regarding the use of DIY solutions to fix dog health problems.

Anyone who’s ever owned a Dachshund can vouch for their lovely personality, playful spirit, and soulful eyes that you can’t help but get lost in. They might show their owners their stubborn side from time to time but all in all, they’re a lovely companion you’ll adore straight away. If you have a Dachshund in your life already, it’s only natural to wonder what to expect. Luckily, we’ve prepared a handy list of possible health issues and easily identifiable signs affecting Dachshunds. New owners can use this to help them navigate life with these dogs.

Just like in us humans, occasional coughing in dogs is completely normal - if it’s just the odd cough here and there. It’s a simple way for your pet to get rid of dust, germs and other things they’ve breathed in from their environment. However, if they seem to be coughing a lot, it could be a sign of something more serious.

Flat-faced dogs may be lovely and come with amazing personalities and give cute snuffles but unfortunately, often struggle to breathe because of the anatomy of their heads. The breathing difficulties in these breeds have a name: brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome or BOAS for short. Keep reading to find out what BOAS is and how you can help your dog.

Pomeranians are one of the most popular toy dog breeds and it’s easy to see why with their larger-than-life personalities and cuddly looks. However, their popularity has also led to some common health issue in Pomeranians which can perhaps, in part, be attributed to irresponsible breeding practices. Keep reading to find out about health problems in Pomeranians which can affect the breed and how to reduce the risk of purchasing a puppy that’s predisposed to certain conditions.

The sight of blood is frightening for any pet owner. Blood in dog urine is called haematuria, and if you’ve ever noticed this symptom in your pup, you’ll know how worrying it can be – it can send your mind into a tailspin with visions of a heart-breaking diagnosis and expensive veterinary bills. While a dog peeing blood is not always a story of doom and gloom, this can still be a serious symptom, so calling your vet should be your top priority. But there are many possible explanations for this problem, and a lot of them are treatable health conditions. If blood in dog urine has set off alarm bells for you, here is what you need to know about this symptom.