How to Determine if Your Dog is Healthy and Happy
Similar to first-time parents, people who just got a dog can overanalyze every little thing their pet does. The good news is that there are indicators of canine well-being.
These signs should be obvious to pet owners in between yearly visits to the vet for examinations and wellness treatments including a blood panel, fecal testing, and urine analysis. A healthy dog exhibits the following six characteristics.
1. Clean Smell
The first step toward a healthy pet is a healthy mouth. Tartar-free teeth and pleasant breath are indicators of healthy health.
Gingivitis (commonly known as gum disease) and periodontitis may have far-reaching effects on your dog’s health. The most common reason for tooth loss in animals is periodontitis, an inflammation of the gums, jawbone, and connective tissues that hold teeth in place. Cavities form when food, plaque, and tartar accumulate in the crevices formed by the gum and the root of the tooth.
If you notice a foul odor emanating from your dog’s mouth, it might be the result of dental decay or, more seriously, oral melanoma.
Because dental problems may often be detected with routine cleanings, pet owners can be certain that their companion will enjoy better health and a longer life span.
2. Shiny, Clean Coat
The natural oils and the regular shedding of a healthy pet’s coat will leave it looking clean and shining. Normal bathing for a healthy pet isn’t required unless the animal has become very filthy. Dogs and cats with fur don’t need to be bathed very often, and doing so might actually irritate their skin.
Skin irritation, skin allergies, insect bites, and the presence of fleas may all cause your dog to lick, chew, and scratch excessively. This is another indicator that your dog is experiencing discomfort; a trip to the vet is in order.
3. Consistent Lean Weight
Having an overweight dog may lead to the same health issues as having a heavy human: diabetes, heart disease, lung illness, bone, and joint disorders, skin ailments, and cancer.
If your dog has lost a significant amount of weight, it’s important to take him to the vet for an examination.
The ideal weight for your dog is a slim, stable number that doesn’t fluctuate too much. Your dog should have a defined waist that gradually narrows toward the hips without exposing any ribs (this can vary based on breed). When it comes to food and treats, pets need quantity management. It’s important to talk to your vet about the best diet for your dog to ensure its continued good health.
4. Routine urination and defecation
How can you tell if your dog is experiencing stomach pain? Witness his defecation. When you defecate normally, you shouldn’t see any of the following: blood, mucus, worms, eggs, a chalky white tint, a black, tarry look, a greasy coating, or diarrhea. A change in diet, stress, allergies, parasites, germs, viruses, toxins, cancer, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or obstruction might all play a role.
Observing your dog’s urine color is crucial: Straw yellow, light gold, amber, and clear yellow are all acceptable shades of yellow for pet urine, and indicate that your pet is healthy.
Possible signs of dehydration include a dark or very bright yellow coloration. Jaundice, icterus, gallstones, pancreatitis, severe dehydration, liver illness, and damaged red blood cells are all conditions related with the color orange.
A urinary tract infection, cystitis, blood clotting disorders, trauma, or cancer might all cause your dog’s urine to be a strange color or hazy in appearance. Dogs who relieve themselves in the home or on a piddle pad may be experiencing some kind of discomfort. Having additional testing done during a checkup is strongly suggested if these alterations occur.
5. Conscious, Active Participation
A dog in good health is one that welcomes you home, seeks out fun with you, and watches the world with curiosity.
If your dog suddenly becomes more reclusive, uninterested, or sleepy, it may be an indication of a medical problem. One of the most common ways abnormalities in a pet’s health are identified by their owners is via noticeable behavioral changes. If you notice a difference, it’s time to make an appointment with the vet.