We use herbs and spices daily not only to add flavor to our food but also for their health benefits. If basil, turmeric, fennel and cinnamon can aid our health, why can’t they help our dogs too? The truth is that some herbs are good for dogs – great, in fact – and some herbs aren’t. In this post we look at herbs for dogs that promote good health, as well as how to use them.
First aid isn’t a substitute for veterinary care, but sometimes your dog needs urgent attention before you get to the vet. For example, your dog may unearth an old box of rat poison and need emergency action fast. Or your dog could be hit by a car and you may have to do some patch work before you can get him in the car. Knowing first aid for dogs is a life saver.
Hip dysplasia is a fairly common health problem that affects many dog breeds – especially large breeds. It can be caused by a number of different factors but most dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia are genetically predisposed to the disease. There is early onset hip dysplasia – which may show up in your puppy after four months – and late onset, usually as a result of osteoarthritis. Hip scoring tell you how badly your dog’s hips are affected.
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, and you feel strongly about the moral choice you’ve made, then you face a conundrum when it comes to pet food. On the one hand, you may be loath to support the meat industry in any way, including meaty dog foods. On the other, you’re concerned about the implications a vegan diet would have for your dog’s health.
Dogs, like people, are vaccinated against certain diseases to prevent infection or minimize the severity of infection. Vaccines are credited with lowering the incidence of certain diseases in dogs. This is one of the reasons why vets are so concerned about any controversy that surrounds pet vaccinations. If people decide that dog vaccinations are overrated, there could be a resurgence of diseases previously under control.
Toys are a vital part of dogs’ lives, so ensuring that you buy the best quality you can afford is important. It’s equally important to be strict about the types of dog toys that you purchase because the wrong toy for your pet’s size or breed can have dire consequences. In fact, some dangerous dog toys can be fatal.
The more scientists learn about dogs, the more we discover that our kinship with them is closer than we first imagined. Psychologically, they share many traits with us. One of these traits is the capacity to experience stress. And, like us, prolonged stress causes them to get gray hair.
There are two words dreaded by anyone who works with puppies: Parvo and distemper. They are deadly diseases that can kill puppies quickly (with suffering) or more slowly (with more suffering). Vaccinating dogs is one way to prevent the diseases, but so is knowledge.
It is estimated that 80% of dogs will have some form of dental disease by the time they are two years old, unless preventive measures are taken.
The evaluation of the effectiveness of pheromone treatments in pets is an interesting field. Artificial pheromones are widely used in the breeding industry to induce heat in female dogs. There is significant scientific evidence that they are effective in this arena. There is also a growing market in the use of synthetic pheromones to calm pets down.
