All About Allergies
Allergies are one of the most common health problems for dogs. If your dog licks her paws, scratches constantly, or has watery eyes, she may be suffering from allergies.
What you can do:
- Have your veterinarian determine if your dog is suffering from food or environmental allergens.
- If it’s a food allergy, you’ll eliminate specific items individually to determine the culprit. A hypoallergenic diet is usually recommended.
Dealing with Diabetes
Diabetes is a life-long battle a dog wages with his blood sugar level. Two signs your dog may have diabetes includes drinking and urinating more than usual.
What you can do:
- Help maintain a constant blood glucose concentration through careful monitoring of your dog’s diet.
- Keep your dog’s weight steady and in normal range with a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Low-fat keeps his caloric intake down and the extra fiber allows for the slow absorption of food over time to prevent spikes in blood glucose levels.
Bad Breath is Bad
Your dog’s bad breath is more than just a nuisance. Bad breath can signal a build-up of tartar on your dog’s teeth and continued accumulation can lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) which can result in heart and kidney infections.
What you can do:
- Have your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally by your veterinarian at least once a year.
- Limit the amount of soft foods your dog eats which can contribute to tartar build-up.
- Provide hard, crunchy foods to help break down tartar.
What About Weight
25-50% of dogs are overweight. If you can’t feel your dog’s ribs when you pet her, she may be too heavy. Overweight dogs are at risk for many chronic medical problems such as arthritis, respiratory difficulties, heart problems, liver disease, heat stroke or diabetes. Plus studies have shown dogs maintaining a proper weight can actually live longer.
What you can do:
- Cut out table scraps and lower your dog’s fat and caloric intake.
- Share 20 minutes of exercise with her every day.
