Reviewed and fact checked by Bruce Whittle, DVM
When most people think about health care for their dog they think about taking their pet to their veterinarian. The most important aspects of health care really begin at home. Nutrition is the basis of health. It is critical to feed a good quality dog food designed for the age, activity level, health issues and even breed of your dog. Prescription diets are also available and may be prescribed by your veterinarian to help treat or prevent such disease conditions as urinary stones or diabetes. Monitoring your dog’s body weight is important for determining the correct amount of food to feed over time and for preventing obesity. Keeping fresh water available for your dog at all times is also important.
What kind and how much exercise does my dog need?
Adequate exercise is also very important for the health of your dog. Walking your dog can also provide good exercise for you. The amount of activity required varies greatly depending upon the breed of your dog. A Pug does not require nearly as much activity as a Border Collie. Dogs of many breeds thrive on the ability to get out and run as often as possible while other dogs are content to be couch potatoes. Some dogs are so attuned to wanting to go outside that they perk up their ears when their owner uses the words “outside” or “hike” in casual conversation.
Does my dog really need vaccinations?
Vaccination is an important part of keeping your dog healthy. There are many vaccines available but an immunization program should be tailored to an individual dog based on age and disease risk, among other factors. While under-vaccination can certainly put your dog at risk if exposed to certain diseases, over-vaccination may also cause problems as it can potentially lead to immune system hyper-stimulation. Some dogs may have an exaggerated inflammatory response after vaccination which may cause swelling of the muzzle. The vaccine protocol may need to be altered in these dogs to either spread out different vaccines over a greater period of time or eliminate some vaccine components that are more likely to cause reactions if thought less important for that dog’s health protection. There has also been a suggested link between over-vaccination and autoimmune conditions but this is rare and has not been definitively proven. Vaccines are valuable tools but they should be used with deliberation based upon individual dog risks to provide protection from the diseases your dog is most likely to be exposed to while minimizing harm from giving too many vaccines. In many places, local or state ordinances require that dogs be vaccinated for rabies to protect human health.
Can my dog get worms?
Parasite control is another important component of the health care of a dog. Puppies, especially, are susceptible to infection by parasites because they have not had the time to develop some of the immunity to ward off parasites that older dogs have. The most common parasites of puppies include roundworms, hookworms and Giardia. Deworming puppies that are going to be around young children is very important because all three parasites are considered zoonotic which means they can be transmitted between animals and people. Infection of puppies as well as transfer to people occurs through the ingestion of worm eggs that are then swallowed and mature in the new host’s digestive tract. In people, the larvae cannot complete their life cycle but migrate throughout the body and can even enter the eye and cause blindness. This underscores the need for parasite control to protect both puppies and children they are around. Adult dogs may also be exposed to other internal parasites such as whipworms and heartworms among many others depending upon geography. External parasites such as fleas and ticks are very common and both may carry serious, even deadly, diseases such as Lyme disease and plague that can impact both dogs and humans. Because parasite exposure varies depending upon geographic location, consultation with your veterinarian is important to develop the best control program based on where you live or where you intend to travel.
Do I need to brush my dog’s teeth?
Dental care is another large pillar of canine health care. Periodontal disease (link to article) is one of the most common diseases in animals and humans and can have negative effects on other body systems such as the heart and kidneys due to a breakdown in the barrier between the mouth and the bloodstream. Daily toothbrushing is considered the gold standard for dental care at home. Other preventative options are available including dental treats, rinses, water additives and wipes. The better job you do with oral care at home with your dog, the fewer teeth your veterinarian will have to treat by periodontal surgery, root canal therapy or extraction. Periodic professional dental cleaning under anesthesia combined with a thorough examination of the oral cavity and radiographs of the teeth will help detect problems early and allow your veterinarian to extract fewer teeth. The added benefit is a dog with better smelling breath, a nice feature especially for those cuddly lap dogs.
Does my dog need a regular physical examination like I do?
An annual or semi-annual examination by a veterinarian is recommended for dogs depending upon their age and any previously diagnosed disease conditions. Because you know your dog better than anyone, it is important for your veterinarian to ask questions that might help them to determine if they need to investigate a specific body system more thoroughly. Some dogs may need blood testing to check liver and kidney function as well as the status of the blood cells. In certain breeds with disease predispositions, more specialized testing may be required to diagnose or monitor disease progression. Testing for internal parasites via a fecal sample or heartworm disease via a blood sample are other commonly performed tests at a veterinary hospital to help diagnose disease early.
Your veterinarian should be viewed as a partner in helping your dog live his or her happiest, healthiest, longest life possible. Just like humans, dog’s bodies tend toward disease and infirmity but this trend can be minimized or delayed with proper care. When the veterinarian-owner health care team works together and develops a plan for home care and for veterinary care, your dog will reap the benefits. You, as the caretaker, will also benefit from having a happy, healthy companion.
