Health

As dog owners, some of us are a little obsessed with inspecting our dog’s poop. This might sound a bit gross, but having a quick glance is actually a very good habit to get into as your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about their general health. Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after picking up after your dog, because there are some germs and small parasites that can pass to people. If you notice your dog is pooping blood, it can be incredibly alarming to see. There are a huge range of reasons why this may be happening and we’ve outlined some common ones below, but it’s important to seek help from your vet so that they can make a proper diagnosis and recommend the best treatment plan if needed.

As the summer rolls around it’s easy to get swept up in planning for holidays, trips to the beach and lounging in the heat, but if you have a four-legged friend, you’ll need to think about how to keep them cool as the temperatures soar. Dogs can’t cool themselves down as well as people, because their ability to sweat is much more limited and is mainly through their paws. It means they need to rely on other methods such as dog panting to keep cool. Their inability to sweat coupled with the fact that they literally wear fur coats makes them at a high risk of overheating and heatstroke. This is further exacerbated if they are one of the flat -faced (brachycephalic) breeds. At Purina, we’ve put together this guide with our top tips on how to cool down a dog. Keep reading to find out all you need to know.

Your dog’s eyes can be as sensitive as they are precious. There are a range of causes that can make a dog’s eyes red which we will explore below. Some of these causes the skin or conjunctiva around the eye to appear inflamed and red, while others seem to affect the eyeball itself. As always, the best way to figure out the answer to the question ‘why are my dog’s eyes red’ is to talk to your vet as eye irritation can lead to more permanent damage if left untreated. But here are a few possible explanations you might hear mentioned during your appointment.

Discovering that your dog is leaving behind wet patches in their bedding or on the couch can be upsetting for pet owners. While in some cases, this might be an isolated incident, it is also possible that your dog is suffering from a medical condition causing urinary incontinence, where they are unable to control their bladder and might not even be aware of the leakage. Incontinence in dogs can affect all breeds, genders, and ages but is most common in older dogs. So, if your dog has started having accidents around the house, and is usually well toilet trained, make an appointment with your vet for a diagnosis and to discuss possible treatment options. Meanwhile, here are a few things to know about incontinence and what to do if your dog is leaking urine.

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.

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular companion dogs in the world. Their happy go lucky personalities coupled with their soft, coat, adorable smiling faces and ever-wagging tails make them a firm favourite with adults and families alike. Not to mention they’re also smart and easy to train, so they’re also often seen performing important jobs such as guiding, detection and even search and rescue as well as their original job as retrieving gundogs. If you’re thinking about adding this breed to your household, you’ll probably be wondering about the possible Golden Retriever health problems. Keep reading to find out which issues this breed can be predisposed to and how to avoid them if you can.

Knowing that your dog is in pain is a horrible feeling, and for many owners the first instinct is to go straight to the medicine cabinet to look for some sort of pain relief for their pet. However, we would always strongly advise against doing this and, if you think your dog is hurting, stay calm and call the vet. They will be able to offer you help and advice on what to do next. We would always advise against giving any medications to your pet and, if you think there is something wrong, you should get in touch with your vet – even if it’s an emergency your vet practice should have a phone number that you can call 24/7. One of the most common medications that owners consider giving to their dog at home is ibuprofen. Here is all you need to know about why you should never give your pet this pain medication.

Puppies are born very helpless. When they first come into the world, they’re deaf and blind. They have their eyes closed and their vision develops later on. However, the good news is that puppies don’t really have any need for vision or hearing at first because they are able to compensate with other senses such as smell, touch and pheromone detection. If you want to learn about how old puppies are when they open their eyes and what their first glimpse of the world looks like, keep reading and find out all you need to know.

Chihuahuas may be small, but their big personality, comic nature, and fierce loyalty are part of their charm, as you’ll soon discover when you welcome one of these tiny companions into your life. Although you’ll see their bubbly attitude on full display as you get to know each other better, when it comes to health and wellbeing, there are a few health problems in Chihuahuas that owners should be aware of from day one. Chihuahuas are a relatively healthy breed, but if you want to make sure potential signs of trouble don’t go undetected, here are some of the common health issues in Chihuahuas to keep an eye out for.

Are you looking for a German Shepherd to join the family and wondering what the most important health concerns are in relation to this stunning dog breed? German Shepherds are a relatively healthy breed, so the chances are that you’re going to spend many years together from now on. However, there are a few conditions owners should be aware of. Here are some of the more common health problems in German Shepherds and the symptoms that should prompt you to call your vet.

Known for their stunning coats, long ears, and constant tail wagging, gorgeous Cocker Spaniels are one of the most cheerful dogs you’ll ever meet. Whether you already have this long-haired pup lying next to you on the couch or you’re getting ready to welcome one to the family, there are a few common health problems in Cocker Spaniels that owners should be aware of. Just like any other dog breed, the cheerful nature of these pups can be diminished by certain conditions. We break down the symptoms below to make the job of recognising them easier.

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.