Puppy health is incredibly important.
There are lots of ways that you can help your new friend to grow into a happy, healthy dog.
Starting with choosing a puppy from a generally healthy breed, with health tested parents.
And then continue along your journey by giving the right food, exercise and providing all the love they need.
Preventing Puppy Health Problems
Before you pick up your puppy, and in those early days and weeks at home, there are some really important things you can do to improve their health.
Puppy Health
Not all medical issues are avoidable, or predictable.
We can split the health problems a puppy might encounter in their life into a number of categories:
It’s worth noting that being overweight increases a dog’s chance of getting heart problems, cancer, and glandular problems.
If you are worried about your dog’s weight take a look at these articles:
Structural Puppy Health Problems
Health problems are often associated with a puppy’s anatomy or body structure.
The potential for some of these is obvious by looking at the puppy, others are hidden under the surface.
Common examples of potential issues you can see include those related to having a very flat face, dental problems, droopy eyes or short legs.
Whereas things like hip dysplasia might not be clear in puppyhood, and only show themselves later on.
You can find more detailed information on these conditions and more in the articles below:
Puppy Ear Health
A dog's ear position and size can be the cause of some nasty health problems.
Long, floppy ears are adorable, but can create a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.
Some owners believe ear cropping can help these issues, but actually this practice is itself problematic.
Fortunately, taking care of their ears in other ways can help to prevent issues that could cause your puppy serious discomfort.
Puppy Parasites
A parasite is an organism which survives by living on another organism.
They use them as a place to stay, a source of food or both.
Dogs have a few potential parasites that puppy owners need to be aware of:
Infections in Puppies
Vaccinating your puppy is one of the best ways to help keep them safe.
Get to grips with common puppy infections, and how to prevent them.
Inherited And Breed-Specific Diseases
When you choose which breed of puppy to look for, it’s important to find out which diseases they are prone to.
Many of these can be health tested in the parents before mating.
Make sure your breeder shows you evidence that relevant health tests have been carried out on your potential puppy’s parents.
Allergies and Eczema
Sometimes things around your puppy will make them unwell.
From pollen to household products, if your pup is itchy or scratchy, these are the articles for you:
Injuries and Accidents
Puppies can be a bit of a liability!
Always getting into places we thought were secure, and eating the inedible.
If your pup has had an accident, or eaten something that wasn’t food, then check these out.
Reactions to Poisons, Toxins and Drugs
Worried about something your dog has taken or eaten?
These articles look at when to act, and what to expect, when your dog has been deliberately or accidentally medicated!
Mental Health Problems in Dogs
Just like us, dogs can develop mental health problems.
Exacerbated by having a nervous disposition, or a traumatic experience.
Here are some things to watch out for:
Treatments for Dogs
Does your puppy need a surgical or at home treatment?
Find out how you or your veterinarian can help them here:
Does it work….
There are a lot of alternative treatments and preventions for common puppy problems.
But not all of them actually stop or solve the problem they intend to.
We put them under the microscope, and find which are worth trying and which should be left on the shelf.
Senior Dog Health Care
Puppies grow up, and then old, eventually.
And when they do there are some important health factors to take into account.
Knowing what to expect will help you to make sure your puppy’s transition into adult and elderly life are as smooth as possible.
Puppy Lifespan
Keeping your puppy healthy is a really important part of taking care of them.
By buying your puppy from a breeder that health tests, and a generally healthy breed, you are giving them the best possible chance of a bright future.
However, depending upon the breed you choose, the likely lifespan of your puppy will vary from a depressing 4 years to an amazing 20.
frank d plummer says
Yes I am a beagle owner, she is a rescue and wass abused and hurt, her eyes weap andd leave a stain, can you hepl me with this problem.
Pat says
I am researching the purchase of a Maltipoo from what I believe is. Reputable local breeder. My question is what are the pros and cons of getting a boy r girl puppy. I am a older and semi-active widow and desire a companion.
madi says
why dog can talk
Jina says
thank, I was also searching for the article on puppy health to take care of my pups. I found so much information on this post. I am going to read more articles on your web site.
Regards
Jina
Irene says
I’ve read somewhere that you should not desex a large dog till there 12 months old because at six months there still growing and their growth plates could be affected and they could wind up with hip problems. I have spoken to two vets with one agreeing with one fact and the other vet to the 6 month desexing. I own a Rottweiler pup and was wondering what your opinion is on the subject.