Pet Care: Essential Health Supplies for a Dog

Our furry companions, our best friends, members of our families ­– dogs, depend on us completely when it comes to their health. In order to ensure that our pets live long, happy and healthy lives, we should learn as much as we can about what they need. Amongst all the dog supplies you buy, such as toys, dob beds, collars, treats, food etc., you should also make sure you have everything you need regarding their health. And this doesn’t only refer to dogs with health problems.

The Most Common Dog Health Problems

Any pet is a huge responsibility and everyone who owns or is thinking about owning a dog, should learn about the most common health problems of dogs in general, and your dog’s breed in particular. This way you can buy all the right health dog pet products that can help you take proper care of your dog.

The good news is that this is not a hard job, since there are many dog products designed specially to keep your four-legged friend healthy, comfortable and happy. You need to learn to regularly make sure your dog doesn’t have any flees, ticks, lice etc., you should also know about all the vaccinations they need, and get them cleaned of worms and other parasites – as well as learn about the signs that they have them; you should also be aware of other common dog problems such as ear infections, digestion problems, skin problems…

Furthermore, as a dog owner apart from making sure you know as much as you can about your dog’s breed, but should also learn about their age, their gender etc. Male and female dogs don’t always have the same health requirements. Dogs can be susceptible to different health issues at different ages. Diabetes is one example of the diseases that can be more common in dogs than people might think, especially in middle aged or older dogs, and some breeds may be more prone to it than others. Learn how to prevent it, learn about the signs, about what to do in case your dog has diabetes, about what diabetes is, about monitoring glucose levels, dog insulin etc.

Are Supplements Necessary for Dogs?

In order to avoid more serious issues, you need to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients their organism needs in order to function properly. Like with people, some dogs may need to take dietary supplements, such as vitamins or minerals. However, though we often decide to take dietary supplements based on our own judgement, when it comes to pets, it’s best if you check with your veterinarian if your dog really needs them. Generally, it’s commonly believed that dogs that eat commercial processed food, get all the necessary vitamins and minerals. However, if your dog is on a homemade diet, then they may need dietary supplements. The best way to know is to ask a veterinarian.

In fact, just like with humans, too many of some vitamins or minerals, may be as problematic as too little of them. Too much of some vitamins or minerals can be hazardous to your doggy’s bones, muscles, blood, and they can cause serious health problems.

If you have a well-founded reason for getting dietary supplements for your dog, you should avoid giving them human supplements. Furthermore, you should make sure that the products are quality and trustworthy, just as you would if you were buying supplements for yourself. Read labels, look for trusted brands and sellers of dog pet products, look for a sign of quality control checks, don’t trust claims that sound too good to be truth, etc.

Do Dogs Really Need Probiotics?

Not all bacteria are equal. There are some that are harmful, and other that are beneficial. Probiotics are friendly bacteria and yeasts that are helpful, both for people and for animals. They help organisms communicate better with microorganisms. This means that they can restore the balance in the stomach, by providing more good bacteria to fight the bad bacteria.

For this reason, probiotics are especially important for dogs that have digestive problems. However, though probiotics might not be crucial for all dogs, improving digestion is not the only reason they can be beneficial for your dog. Apart from helping break down food, probiotics help make nutrients and vitamins, they help the organism fight off potential pathogens…

Probiotics can regulate а dogs’ immune system, they can reduce reactions to food allergies, and they can prevent urinary tract infections. They might also be useful for dogs’ state of mind, by reducing stress, preventing anxiety, and improving their mood, as well as their physical appearance, by improving their fur and skin, and they can also reduce bad breath.

There are also some human foods that you can give to your dog that contain probiotics, such as yogurt or fermented vegetables. However, learn about the quantities of these foods that are safe for your dog and make sure to read the labels carefully to find out if the products contain something that might be harmful to your dog, such as xylitol, a sweetener that’s toxic to animals.