Health

Our dogs love to eat but sometimes, they’ll have a munch on things they’re not supposed to. As some of you know, lilies, although pretty, can be dangerous for cats but is it the same for dogs?

Did you know that dental problems are the most commonly diagnosed health condition in all dogs over the age of three? Because your dog's teeth and gums are as vulnerable to disease as yours, make sure you give the same care and attention to your dog's dental health as you do to your own. Dental disease in dogs When your four-legged friend has healthy teeth and gums they can get the most out of their food, crunching every delicious kibble as they go, but if their teeth hurt they’ll soon go off their meals and their metabolism will suffer. Poor dental care doesn’t just affect their mouths; the bacteria generated by dental disease could eventually enter your dog’s bloodstream and potentially damage their heart, liver or kidneys. So, as a loving owner, what do you need to look out for to protect your pet’s pearly whites? Plaque Bacteria constantly form in your dog’s mouth and when they mix with with saliva and leftover morsels of food, your dog will get a sticky and colourless film (plaque) collecting on the outside of their teeth, especially their upper pre-molars and molars. It’s important to clean this plaque off dog’s teeth as if it’s left to build up, it can harden to form tartar. Periodontal Disease After 3-5 days of being left untouched, plaque forms another alliance, this time with the minerals in your dog’s saliva. This hardens the plaque and it turns it into tartar, also known as calculus. Tartar can irritate your dog’s gums causing gingivitis, a swelling and reddening of the gums, and can lead to bad breath - something you’re likely to notice quite quickly! Dry dog foods can help scrape away plaque and tartar but you’ll still need to supplement this with some dog dental care. What are the most common dog dental problems?

We all understand that too much plaque can lead to a problem with our own teeth. But did you know dogs with plaque build-up can also suffer from the same kind of conditions? What is dog plaque? Plaque is the sticky film that builds up on both yours’ and your dog’s teeth. This sticky film is made up of bacteria, and it begins when the food dogs eat stays on their teeth. If not cleaned off, these bacteria begin to grow. The more bacteria that grows on your dog’s teeth, the more at risk they are of developing a dental condition. How does dog plaque build-up? Plaque on dog’s teeth begins to build up after your dog has eaten. It does this through a chemical reaction that’s triggered by existing bacteria in the mouth, food and saliva. Once all three meet, the reaction begins to occur and a build-up of plaque begins. Certain foods are more likely to speed up the build-up of plaque on dog teeth compared to other foods. For example, bacteria love carbohydrates from sugar, which means feeding your dog sugary foods could increase the build-up of plaque in their mouth. Eventually this plaque will harden and develop into a substance called tartar. The signs of too much plaque on dog teeth There are a number of different signs to watch out for when examining your dog’s mouth. Does your dog’s mouth display any of the following? • Inflamed gums. • Discoloured teeth. • Loss of teeth. • Bad breath. • Pus inside the mouth. If your dog displays any of the above symptoms you should contact your vet and seek out advice before trying out methods to remove plaque from your dog’s teeth.

A new study has revealed that there are many benefits of a dog that some of us might not have considered.

Different size dog breeds tend to grow at different rates, so if your puppy is a toy breed, such as a Toy Poodle, you may find that they are not too far from their adult size at six months old. In contrast, if you have a giant dog breed such as a Great Dane, they will carry on growing for much longer, potentially up until the age of two years. Medium dog breeds andlarge breeds will fall somewhere between these two timelines and reach their adult height somewhere between nine and 18 months although may still fill out a little more. When dogs stop growing is a question asked by many, and there are no one-size-fits-all answers, but this article will walk you through what to expect with your pup!

As a dog owner, you already know that providing your furry friend with a healthy diet is key to their well-being. However, with so many different variants of dog food available, it might not be clear which nutrients, including vitamin D, are truly beneficial for your pet. The role of vitamin D can be overlooked, so it’s important to know what it is and how it can affect your pet’s health. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of vitamin D for dogs, the advantages of adding it to your pet’s diet and the consequences of a deficiency. Let’s dive right in!

Your dog loves spending the summer with you – there’s so much opportunity to go outside, explore and play. However, should the weather be particularly warm, it’s sensible to consider heat stroke in dogs and the effect the sun might have on your friend. Heat stroke in dogs can occur if they are without shade, ventilation or water, and as with humans, it can be dangerous for their health. It can also occur when they’re out and about with you, for example after vigorous exercise in warm weather, or following stress or overexcitement. What is heat stroke in dogs? Heat stroke or heat exhaustion in dogs refers to a high body temperature that is not caused by underlying illnesses but rather by excessive exposure to environmental factors, mainly hot temperatures. Heat stroke occurs because the dog’s body is unable to bring the temperature down to normal levels through panting alone. Factors that increase heat stroke in dogs Of course you want to avoid any risk of heat stroke, but what should you look out for to keep your dog healthy and happy during the summer months? Factors that can increase the risk of developing heat stroke in dogs include: • Lack of water. • Enclosed space. • Excessive humidity. • Obesity. • Intense exercise. • Old age. • Cardiovascular disease or respiratory disease. • Lack of acclimatisation. What dog breeds have a higher risk of developing heat stroke? Short-faced dog breeds, such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekingese, and dogs with heavy coats (such as Huskies or Newfoundlands), are at particular risk of heat stroke. But the all types of dogs can suffer from heat exhaustion if the conditions are right. Signs of heat stroke in dogs No matter how carefully you care for your dog, it’s always possible that something unexpected can happen. Here are some signs of heat stroke in dogs to look out for just in case: • Severe panting. • Difficulty breathing (particularly if your dog already has any respiratory problems). • Severe salivating. • Vomiting. • Diarrhoea. • Raised temperature (40.5° C or above). • Blood in his urine. • Nose bleeds (and other bleeding problems). • Ultimately, collapse and coma.

Like us humans, our furry friends also need eye care from time to time. This can include using eye drops for a variety of different reasons. You might even be wondering ‘why are my dog’s eyes red?’ and if your pup needs eye drops. Read on to find out why your dog might need eye drops and the different types of eye drops for dogs.

You should contact the vet as soon as you notice something is wrong with your dog. In some cases, however, urgent care is needed while waiting for professional help. This is when owners can step in. Knowing what to do in those moments and how to administer dog first aid can save your pet’s life. Our guide is designed to help you understand how to do dog first aid in different scenarios and when to do it. Take a read below. We recommend speaking to your vet for advice before performing any of the first aid below. With any first aid, there is a risk of injury or harm to your pet if it is performed incorrectly, so you should always seek veterinary guidance.

Whether you’re the owner of a prize-winning breed with a high-maintenance coat or a regular bundle of fluff, dog grooming is an essential activity. Beyond them looking their best and most beautiful selves, there’s a whole range of other benefits to grooming your dog. Read on for more information and advice on how to groom a dog. The benefits of dog grooming Grooming your dog will help to keep their coat in the best possible condition. Dog grooming can remove dead hairs, help to distribute natural oils, and keep skin healthy. Brushing your dog’s hair has even been proven to reduce stress in your pet. Once used to the process, they’ll find it really relaxing! That doesn’t just go for your dog, it has also been scientifically shown that dog grooming can reduce stress and lower blood pressure in owners as well. Feeling anxious? Pick up a brush!

Phantom pregnancies in dogs are very common, with symptoms from mothering behaviour and lactation, to lethargy and vomiting. Find out more about signs, causes and possible treatment. Has your dog started acting like they are pregnant, mothering their toys and creating a nesting space? Have you noticed mammary development and even milk from their nipples? Some female dogs may display signs equivalent to morning sickness; with lethargy and vomiting. If your dog has not been mated, this may leave you scratching your head as to why they appear pregnant. If they have been mated, before you get too excited about visions of cute puppies, you need to make sure it’s not a false or phantom pregnancy. Read on to discover what the signs are, how a false pregnancy gets diagnosed and when medical treatment is necessary. What is phantom pregnancy in dogs? Phantom pregnancy in dogs refers to a condition where a female dog exhibits symptoms of pregnancy, but is not actually pregnant. This is also known as false pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy and can affect any type of female dog, regardless of age or breed. Symptoms of phantom pregnancy in dogs You can expect to see many of the same symptoms of an actual pregnancy to manifest in the case of a false pregnancy. Although the signs vary between individuals, these are the main physiological and behavioural changes to look out for: • Mammary development • Lactation • Enlarged belly • Loss of appetite • Lethargy • Vomiting • Nesting • Being protective of small inanimate objects • Restlessness or aggression How long does a phantom pregnancy last? The symptoms of a phantom pregnancy most commonly occur 6-8 weeks after your dog finishes her season, and should resolve within 2-3 weeks. Once your dog has had a false pregnancy after a season, it is very likely to recur at each subsequent season. What causes phantom pregnancy in dogs? The origins of phantom pregnancy are thought to be due to the pack behaviour of our domestic dog’s ancestors. All the females in the pack help to rear the family pups and feel motherly towards them, even when they are not their own offspring. This cooperative behaviour is driven by hormones. After a female dog has a season, she experiences a prolonged peak of the ‘pregnancy hormone’ progesterone lasting 8-9 weeks, whether she is pregnant or not (this does not occur in humans). As levels of progesterone decline levels of a second hormone, prolactin, increase. This is what triggers the physical and psychological symptoms of pregnancy. In some dogs this may be mild – not enough to notice – but in others the symptoms can be very convincing to both the dog and her owner. What to do when the phantom pregnancy symptoms appear Phantom pregnancy in dogs is very common and, if symptoms are behavioural and mild, you can try distracting your dog with increased play and walks. While they’re distracted you can remove any toys they have adopted as surrogate babies, being careful not to cause distress. You should make an appointment with your vet if the symptoms persist or are severe. Remember that non-specific signs such as vomiting and lethargy may also be due to other diseases and illnesses. It’s also important to rule out a true pregnancy as your dog may have had an illicit mating!

Dogs, like all animals, require a variety of nutrients and vitamins to maintain their health and wellbeing in top notch condition. To make sure you’re giving them the care they need, it’s important to know what you should and shouldn’t include in their diets. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in all human diets, with major benefits for our health, but does it work the same way for our pets and what exactly is the role of vitamin C for dogs? If you’ve ever wondered if vitamin C can boost your dog’s health and offer them the same benefits it offers us, we have some answers for you. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of vitamin C for dogs, the way in which it can be valuable if included in your pet’s diet, and the best sources of this nutrient.