Health

If your dog does develop a skin condition, there’s no need to worry. They are often common and very treatable with the right care. Here’s a guide to what to look for. What should my dog’s skin look like? Your dog’s skin is unique, just like their personality, but there are lots of general things that should be the same for all dogs with healthy skin. • Your dog's skin should be pink or black, depending on the pigments common to their breed or their individual genetic history – both are entirely normal. • It should be free of crusting, itching, scaling, black or white spots, and infected or hot and inflamed areas. • Their coat should be lovely and thick (although exact thickness depends on their breed) and shiny with no broken hairs, bald patches, dandruff or pesky fleas. • Their skin should be smooth, and their coat should be clean and in good condition. What should I look out for? • Look out for excessive scratching, scabs on your dog’s skin, and your dog pulling out fur, which can all indicate skin disease. • A poor hair coat with any scurf or dullness may indicate an underlying illness. • Skin covers not just the outside but also the inside of your dog’s ears, so any ear problems could be linked to dog skin problems. • If you see brownish discharge or redness in your dog’s ears, or they keep shaking their head, you should pay a visit to your vet. Dry skin on dogs and dog skin conditions

When your dog is happy, you’re happy – and when your pet is pregnant, making sure they'reas healthy and comfortable as possible is even more important, both for the mum-to-beand for the new arrivals! There are several things that you can do to ease the strain of having little bundles of joy, and ensure that everything goes smoothly. It’s an exciting time! During pregnancy, your dog will need your love and attention more than ever. Remember, as theirbody change, you will have to change the way you care for your dogin a few simple ways to make sure that they have everything theyneeds. Feeding and nutrition during your dog's pregnancy If you’re wondering what to feed a pregnant dog, you’re not alone – most dog owners ask this question! It’s important to know that basic adult-formula dog food won't provide the extra nutrients they need duringpregnancy, so you’ll need to make some diet changes to help your petget what theyneeds from theirfood. Slowly switch your dog back to a high-quality puppy formula just before mating, introducing her slowly over a period of 7-10 days to avoid upsetting their stomach. Your dogshould stay on this new formula until after they have givengiven birth, and thepuppies have been weaned. What you should feed your dog will also depend on thebody condition and any medical problems that theymay currently have or has had in the past, so make sure you check with your vet before changing thefood. For more details on what to feed a pregnant dog, visit feeding during pregnancy.

One of the most common infections in dogs is yeast infection. Learn what to do when your dog starts itching inconsolably and find out what treatments are the most effective. Does your dog suffer from itchy skin, swelling or exaggerated drooling? There are many underlying conditions for such symptoms, but one of the most common infections in dogs might be the culprit. While you’re waiting for your vet appointment, read on to learn more about spotting and tackling yeast infection in dogs.

When your dog reaches the age of about seven – a little younger in large breeds (five to six) and older in small breeds (around nine) – they’re generally considered to be ‘senior’. When they reach this age, you’ll need to adjust their diet to support them better. Find out more about feeding older dogs in this guide. You might notice your dog wanting to take life a little easier, as we all do when we get a little older! There will also be some less visible changes as they approach their senior stage of life; their bodies and digestion start to change and their immune system may need some extra support. To get the best for your furry friend, it can be a good idea to gradually switch them to a complete, balanced “senior” dog food containing good quality protein, as these are specifically formulated to fit with your dog’s changing nutritional needs and eating habits. Managing your senior dog'sintake As senior dogs tend to be less active, and have a slower metabolism, you might notice your pet putting on a bit of weight as they get older. As they get on in years, changing to a lower calorie diet can be a good idea. As older dogs tend to be less active, particularly if they have mobility issues such as osteoarthritis, they can be more prone to obesity. While some health problems can lead to obesity, being overweight can cause health problems too, and put more strain on joints. Because of this, it’s very important to monitor your dog’s body condition regularly. If you think your dog is overweight, make an appointment to speak to your vet to discuss the best way forward. It may be a simple case that your dog is eating too much, or they may have an underlying medical problem that can be addressed. Either way, your vet may recommend a more calorie-restricted weight loss diet or a specialist diet dog food for older dogs.