If you are concerned about your dog’s health then this article “Dog Questions About Health and Answer” will be very important for you to read. Advances in veterinary care have revolutionized veterinary medicine and greatly improved the health of our pets. Even with these advances, many pet parents have become increasingly interested in natural treatments for their pets’ diseases.

Natural treatments can be very attractive to parents of pets who distrust the ingredients of conventional medications or who are interested in trying another way to treat their pets.

Of the many natural remedies available for pets, not all are effective, not even safe. Below are some complementary therapies (therapies that can be used in conjunction with conventional therapies) that have proven effective in pets.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a healing practice that originated thousands of years ago in China. It involves the insertion of very fine needles at specific points of the body to stimulate healing. Often, in an acupuncture treatment session, multiple points are stimulated simultaneously.

Acupuncture in dogs is used to treat conditions that affect the main systems of the body, including the dermatological, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems. For example, acupuncture can be used to treat allergic dermatitis, diarrhea and arthritis. Although more research on veterinary acupuncture is necessary, clinical studies have already shown that acupuncture in animals is effective.

Acupuncture is virtually painless for animals and can be very relaxing for them. Possible side effects include worsening of the condition for one or two days after a treatment session and bruising at the needle insertion points.

Acupuncture should be performed only by a licensed veterinary acupuncturist, and only after the pet has received an appropriate veterinary medical diagnosis.

Massage therapy

Massages help us relax and feel rejuvenated, and our pets can also enjoy them. Massage therapy works surprisingly well in pets and provides benefits such as pain relief, improves circulation, improves healing of injuries and increases the range of motion in the joints.

Veterinary massage therapy is often used to help control diseases such as arthritis and knee injuries. Pet parents can perform simple massage techniques at home, such as passive range of motion exercises, to help relieve pain and restore joint function. For more advanced massage therapy, which could be recommended after major orthopedic surgery, a trained massage therapist at a veterinary rehabilitation center can perform the massage exercises.

Medical cannabis

Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is in all the news. It is an endocannabinoid, which is a substance that is derived from the hemp plant. The hemp plant is part of the cannabis plant family that also contains the marijuana plant. Hemp, unlike marijuana, contains low levels (0.3%) of another famous endocannabinoid called THC, which produces a “high” characteristic.

The CBD has gained widespread medical appeal because it has been shown to produce health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, without the effects of high THC induction. Pet parents are now increasingly interested in using CBD to treat their pets.

Currently, there is little scientific evidence of the benefits of CBD in pets. Some studies have evaluated the use of CBD to control canine arthritis. To date, most of the evidence on the benefits of CBD in pets is anecdotal, based on information reported by their parents.

The legalities surrounding CBD are as confusing in veterinary medicine as in human medicine. In addition, in almost all states, legal barriers prevent veterinarians from discussing or recommending cannabis products such as the CBD to their clients. For pet parents, it can be admitted that it is a challenge to learn more about the CBD and how they can use it to help their pets.

Natural therapies can be very beneficial for pets and can even reduce the need for conventional medications, depending on the condition of the pet. If you are interested in using natural treatments for your pet, check with your veterinarian first for more information on safe natural treatments and which treatments would work best for your pet.

44 Frequently Asked Questions About Your Dog’s Health, Care and Feeding

1. What foods should not be given to a dog?

The dog’s body does not tolerate some natural products that people eat, they can cause both digestive upset and other serious disorders in the body’s work (allergies of various kinds, metabolic disorders, etc.). No need to give the dog: caffeinated products, grapes of any kind, small bones, too fatty foods, large quantities of liver, milk and dairy products, mushrooms, any kind of human preparations, onions and garlic in any form, raw eggs and fish , sugar and any sweet foods, salt, alcohol.

2. How many treats do you need to give your dog?

Any goodies for dogs should not exceed 10% of your dog’s main ration. Carefully monitor how much you feed your dog so as not to overfeed it.

3. How to understand that a dog is overweight?

To find out if your dog is overweight, you need to feel the base of the tail, stomach, back, ribs. If you can’t find the bones, then you should reconsider the dog’s diet, because he has gained excess weight.

4. How to relieve a dog of excess weight?

It is necessary to use special feeds to reduce and prevent overweight. However, you need to choose a diet suitable for your dog, it is quite easy. During the week of admission, the dog should lose no more than 2% of the weight, but if it loses more weight, then the food should be changed, as it can negatively affect the body.

5. How do I know if breeds like my dog tend to accumulate excess weight?

The following breeds of dogs are most prone to gaining excess weight: Labrador, Spaniel (especially Cocker Spaniel), Dachshunds, Beagle.

6. My dog gains weight at a feeding rate specified by the manufacturer

The manufacturers’ feeding rates are indicated for medium-activity dogs, and if your dog is inactive, then it can gain excess weight. We advise you to reduce the portion and find the best option for feeding your pet. Also, you need to consider that when feeding a dog treats and leftovers from the table leads to the accumulation of excess weight.

7. It seems to me that my dog is too thin

To make sure that the dog is really thin, you need to pay attention to its ribs. If you can see them, then the dog is really thin and you need to review the diet and feeding standards of your dog. However, if the ribs are not visible, but you feel them when touched, then the dog is in a normal state, having a normal weight.

If your dog’s shoulder blades and spine bulge, consult your veterinarian for advice.

8. How to feed a dog after irritation and inflammation of the intestines?

It is necessary to give the dog only easily digestible food with the least amount of fiber in order to avoid repeated irritation of the intestinal tract.

9. A puppy was brought home, but he doesn’t eat anything except porridge

Usually the reason for this behavior is that the puppy was fed only with cereals and he does not yet know other products. We advise you to dip or brush your finger in the product that you would like to feed the puppy and put in his mouth, so that he licks it.

10. My dog is burping, what should I do?

Usually, dogs burp due to excessive feeding at a time, we recommend breaking the feeding several times a day.

11. Is it possible to feed a dog only with wet food and canned meat?

It’s certainly possible to feed dogs only with wet rations, there will be no harm from this, however, combining wet and dry food of the same brand will be the best option.

12. Is it possible to feed a dog with fish?

It is advisable to feed the dog fish only in cooked form, in order to avoid infection with parasites. However, you can use ocean fish, there are no worms in it, which is proved by veterinary research.

13. How to feed dogs aged?

For aging dogs you need diets with a moderate amount of fat, as well as with a lot of fiber (fiber). It is also necessary to give vitamins for dogs aged.

14. I want to transfer the dog to another feed, what is the best way to do this?

You need to transfer the dog gradually, without a sharp change in diet. Usually this process takes at least 7-10 days. During this period, it is necessary to gradually replace the old feed with a new one, in order to avoid digestive problems.

15. Can dogs be given milk?

In adult dogs (after 6 months), the body ceases to produce enzymes that promote the processing of lactose (milk sugar) in milk, so its consumption can lead to diarrhea or vomiting. It is best for dogs to give milk without lactose.

16. Can dogs be given dried treats?

Dogs can be given dried treats, however in moderation, as some of them may be too greasy (pork ears). Do not give fatty treats to obese dogs. Do not use dried treats for dogs yourself, and in contact with them it is better to wash your hands with soap.

17. The dog eats grass, what are the reasons for this?

Dogs eat grass in several cases: if they have an unbalanced diet, if the dog wants to vomit (with constant vomiting, you should contact your veterinarian), and most dogs really like the taste of grass.

18. How to choose a dog collar?

To choose a leather collar for your pet you need to measure the circumference of his neck and add 5 more to the obtained centimeters, this is the best option. If you choose a strict collar for the dog, then you need to measure the girth just below the ears, so that in the future the collar itself lies down as it should.

If your choice fell on a collar chain – then add 6 cm to the neck circumference and make sure that the collar is not too thin.

19. Is it possible to give a dog treats from the skin?

Dog skin treats are very beloved and do not harm health, as proved by veterinary research.

20. How to determine the mood of a dog by wagging its tail?

Dogs that wag their tail are usually friendly. However, if a dog with its tail held high wags only with its tip, this may mean that it is aggressive.

Playful dogs actively wag their tail upwards along its entire length. Dogs wagging their tail down are likely to be afraid, or do something under duress.

21. Does the dog need to stop the tail and ears?

If you have a dog participating in the hunt, you will need to stop them, in order to avoid injuries. However, if the dog is domestic and does not participate in hunting, then only the owner’s desire is there, since stopping is not necessary.

22. How to get rid of yellow plaque on a dog’s teeth?

In order to get rid of plaque on the teeth and further periodontitis, it is necessary to carry out preventive brushing with special toothpastes for dogs, which can be purchased at the pet store.

23. Where does the dog get brown spots under the eyes?

The cause of this phenomenon is tears falling onto the coat, as a result of which it changes color under the influence of bacteria. The cause of tears getting on the hair is a blockage of the lacrimal tubules, through which tears flow into the nasopharynx. The area around your pet’s eyes needs to be kept clean, and too much hair should be cut off near the eyes.

24. My dog has wool tacks, what should I do?

To get rid of the warlocks, you need to either cut them off or untangle them with your hands. Before bathing, it is necessary to rid the dog of the tangles.

25. How to trim the claws of dogs?

The nails are trimmed with special nail clippers, which are sold in pet stores. Cut the tips of the claws at an angle of 45 degrees. If the dog is often on the street and runs on the asphalt, she does not need a nail clipping. Usually the claws are trimmed once every 7-10 days.

26. At what water temperature do you need to bathe your dog?

Dogs have elevated body temperature, so it is recommended to bathe dogs at an optimum temperature of 39 degrees. Also, for tempering dogs, you can reduce the temperature to 37 degrees.

27. Do I need to dry the dog after swimming?

If your pet is smooth-haired, just wipe it with a soft towel. But long-haired dogs must be dried with a hairdryer and combed.

28. How to flush a dog’s eyes?

The eyes of the dogs are washed from the outer corner of the eye towards the nose.

29. What brush to comb smooth-haired dogs?

For smooth-haired dogs, the best option would be to use a brush-glove with rubber teeth.

30. Why do I need to feed a dog dry food, and not just wet?

Dry food serves as a prophylaxis for cleaning teeth from plaque, therefore it is recommended to give dogs both wet food and dry, preferably one brand.

31. The dog has bad breath, is this normal?

The presence of bad breath from a dog’s mouth is not normal. Its presence may indicate a disease. The most common cause of bad breath from a dog’s mouth is bacteria that develops due to a lack of plaque.

32. My dog chews everything

Usually dogs gnaw at a time when the jaws are still forming. To protect your valuables from gnawing, purchase special chewing toys for your pet.

33. How many times a day to feed a dog?

There are some general rules for feeding dogs, which we will gladly give you.

If your dog is not even two months old, that is, she is still a puppy, then she needs to be fed at least 6 times a day.

Puppies who have reached 2 months of age, but who have not yet turned 4 months old, feed 5 times a day.

Puppies that have crossed the threshold of 4 months of age, but have not reached 6 months of age, feed 4 times a day, at least 3 times.

Starting from 6 months of age, dogs eat 2 times a day

34. Is it possible to mix dry food with natural when feeding a dog?

When feeding dogs, we do not recommend mixing dry food with natural food, since the stomach in dogs often does not cope with different-sized foods. Meals should be separate.

35. Is it possible to soak dry food for adult dogs?

Dry food can be soaked only with warm water and if it has problems with the oral cavity or it consumes little water.

36. How much dry food per day is given to a dog?

A large dog weighing 35 to 65 kg per feed will need 400 to 600 grams of premium dry food or 600-800 grams of economy class food. Medium-sized dogs weighing 15 to 35 kg need 300 to 400 grams of high-quality dry food or 400-600 grams of economical food. For small adult dogs, whose weight does not exceed 15 kg, the daily norm of premium food is 150-300 grams, and economy food is 300-400 grams.

37. The dog has fleas, how to deal with them?

To rid a dog of fleas, treat it with special drops or a flea spray following the manufacturer’s instructions. These are sold at every pet store.

38. Can I use a flea collar to remove fleas from my dog?

Collars are designed to prevent the appearance of fleas in dogs after etching them (fleas / ticks) with drops or spray.

39. Is it possible to give a cat cat food?

Cat food is intended only for consumption by cats and is not suitable for dogs, so you should not feed your dogs to them in order to avoid problems with a deficiency of nutrients in the body.

40. How often is the prevention of helminths in dogs?

Recommended prophylaxis once every three months. Observe the dosage of the drugs. Do not use drugs that are not intended for dogs.

41. The dog has helminths, how to deal with them?

Each pet store sells special medications: tablets, suspensions, etc., to rid your pet of helminths. After purchase, follow the instructions and dosage.

42. How often to wash a dog?

There is still no definite answer to this question. Some veterinarians believe that this procedure should be carried out once every 10 days, others – that no more than several times a year, since dogs have a greasy coat in the form of a thin film on the coat, which is washed off with frequent bathing. Nevertheless, it still depends individually on your dog and her lifestyle. So, if you and a doggie love more active spending time, then, of course, he will need to bathe more often. If you prefer quiet walks, without any particular stress, then bathing it too often is not necessary.

43. Can I give a dog bones?

Contrary to the long-standing belief that bones are the best treat for dogs, this is not at all the case. Giving your dog bones, you risk damaging her teeth and gums, as well as internal organs. The consequences of such feeding also include: injuries of the pharynx, frequent vomiting, accumulation of bones in the stomach.

44. How to avoid parasites (fleas, ticks, worms) in dogs?

In order to avoid parasites for the animal, several rules must be followed.

– Do prophylaxis against worms 1 time per quarter (1 time in 3 months).

– Use several methods of protection against fleas and ticks. Do not hope that only the collar will destroy all parasites on the animal. For reliable protection, use the following combinations: “drops + collar”, “drops + collar + spray”, “drops + spray”. Nevertheless, it is necessary to combine all these means very carefully. In order to prevent the animal from becoming ill, apply first drops, then put on a collar in a week, and spray with a spray right before the walk (this is especially true if you are walking with a dog in the forest). Pay attention also to the active substance. If you buy drops with the active substance “fipronil”, then choose a spray and a collar based on fipronil.

– Use drops that are suitable in weight for your animal. Do not buy the drug for a dog with a large number of kilograms in the hope of saving and using 1 pipette for 2 animals. Correctly distributing the drug to several animals is very difficult and most likely will result in one animal getting too much drug, and the second is not enough and the drug will not work, leaving your animal without protection from parasites.

– If the package says that the drug is valid for 4 weeks, do not wait for the last day. This is the approximate duration of the drug, which may vary depending on temperature, the frequency of bathing and other factors, in addition, a couple of days are needed for the new drug to take effect. So you should not risk it and leave the animal without protection. It is better to update the protection against parasites of a predetermined period, 3-5 days.

– Do not do the prevention of worms and fleas at the same time, as active substances may not be compatible with each other. Take a break between them at least a week.