Health

Hot spots in dogs are a common skin condition. Find out what they are and how to treat them once they show up, so you can get your dog back to their usual happy self. If you’ve noticed your dog itching more than usual and discovered a moist red spot on their skin under their fur, your beloved canine friend might be dealing with a skin condition known as dog hot spots. In this article we will look at what they are and how they can be treated effectively so your dog can get back to their normal happy self. What are dog hot spots? Dog hot spots are areas of infected skin that look red, wet and sometimes raised. Officially known as Moist Dermatitis, hot spots can be found anywhere on the body and can increase in size very quickly. Your dog will experience them as itchy and sometimes painful patches and will often try to soothe hot spots with scratching, licking or biting.

Dog puberty usually occurs when your pup is between 7 months and 2 years old and as with humans, it can bring a whole load of behavioural and physical changes. Find out everything you need to know about the signs of puberty in puppies and what you can expect in this handy guide. There is one thing that all puppy owners can rely on – and that is that their lovely cute, biddable puppy will one day grow up to be a canine adolescent, which brings with it both behavioural and physical changes. When does dog puberty occur? Dog puberty is the period between sexual maturity and social maturity and can happen between around seven months to almost two years, depending on the breed (larger breeds take longer to develop). Another way of looking at it is as a time when their hormones are running ahead of their brains – pretty much like with human teenagers! Behavioural changes during dog puberty During this stage of dog puberty, one of the first things you may notice is that your puppy’s behaviour starts to change. Things that you have taught them may seem to be inadvertently forgotten and they appear to ‘forget’ the simplest things, whether this is toilet training, recall or walking nicely on the lead. There may be changes in their interactions with you as they become clingier or, at other times, the puppy who used to hang on your every word seems not to notice you even exist! This is a time when your puppy is starting to look at the world through the eyes of an independent adult and reassessing their behaviour strategies. You may see your puppy behaving fearfully or reacting to things they have apparently taken in their stride in the past. Other dogs start to treat them differently, as they no longer have the ‘puppy privileges’ they used to enjoy. They have to rethink their social skills at a time when their hormones are raging, an adolescent male dog has much higher testosterone levels than adult male dogs! This can lead to competitiveness and even aggression.

Are you getting ready to bathe your puppy for the first time? Here is everything you need to know. What you will need for your puppy’s first bath Let’s start easy with a shopping list. Here are the must-haves of puppy bathing time. • Table • Towel • Suitable puppy brush • Hair dryer • Dog bath or other suitable container • Puppy shampoo • A treat Steps for bathing a puppy When your puppy arrives home for the first time, it is beneficial to give them a bath in order to let them start their new experience fresh and clean. Here is a step-by-step guide for bathing your puppy without any unnecessary complications: 1. Place the puppy on a table The table has to be specifically designated for the job. In placing the puppy in this elevated, unfamiliar spot, you will help them understand that you are not playing. This will help you handle bathtime safely and comfortably. Put a towel on the table to ensure your puppy doesn’t slip off. It will also absorb excess water.

Whether you’re the owner of a prize-winning breed with a high-maintenance coat or a regular bundle of fluff, dog grooming is an essential activity. Beyond them looking their best and most beautiful selves, there’s a whole range of other benefits to grooming your dog. Read on for more information and advice on how to groom a dog. The benefits of dog grooming Grooming your dog will help to keep their coat in the best possible condition. Dog grooming can remove dead hairs, help to distribute natural oils, and keep skin healthy. Brushing your dog’s hair has even been proven to reduce stress in your pet. Once used to the process, they’ll find it really relaxing! That doesn’t just go for your dog, it has also been scientifically shown that dog grooming can reduce stress and lower blood pressure in owners as well. Feeling anxious? Pick up a brush!

It can be quite worrying if you notice that your dog seems to be losing some of their lovely coat. Alopecia in dogs can be the result of skin infections such as ringworm (a fungal infection), a bacterial infection or parasites such as mites, and is often the result of the dog scratching or licking an itchy or sore area. Alopecia in dogs can affect all breeds and genders at any stage of their life. It’s a fairly common condition and can display as either partial or complete hair loss, but it can also affect your dog’s skin, endocrine, lymphatic and immune systems. It can be alarming to see your dog losing hair as it can be very noticeable, especially if you have a long-furred pet who typically has a silky-smooth coat. Luckily, alopecia in dogs is usually very treatable and a visit to the vet should help to find the root of the problem and allow you to find a suitable treatment to get your dog back to their usual, gorgeous selves. Causes of hair loss in dogs Alopecia in dogs can be a result of a number of skin conditions and cases can range from gradual to acute. The most common causes of hair loss in dogs include: • Mange, an occurrence caused by the mite ‘Demodex’. • A disruption in the growth of hair follicles caused by trauma, infection, immune disease or endocrine system abnormalities. • Hair follicle inflammation. • Allergic reactions: this may be to food or items in your dog’s environment. • Diet and feeding: poor diet can often be a cause of hair loss in dogs. • Parasites and fleas: these can cause intense itching and you may notice your dog losing hair around their lower back, inner thighs, neck and ears. • Bacterial skin infections or hot spots. • Ringworm: if the cause is ringworm, it will typically display as circular patches of flaky, red, hairless patches. • Overgrooming: grooming is obviously normal, but sometimes dogs may do it excessively due to stress or pain. • Seasonal alopecia: some dogs may experience hair loss each autumn which may take around 6 – 12 months to regrow. This type is most common in Boxers, Bulldogs, Dobermans and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. • Inherited: alopecia in dogs can be inherited if your dog’s mother of father suffered from it. More widespread hair loss in your dog’s coat may indicate a more specific disease, so it’s always important to see your vet as soon as you suspect your dog may be losing their fur. Symptoms of alopecia in dogs If you notice your dog losing hair, that can be a symptom of alopecia in itself, but there are also a few other signs they may display too: • Brittle or dry coat. • Shedding more than usual. • Bald patches on your dog. • Crusting, inflammation or red patches around the area of hair loss. • Scaly skin may be present. • Dandruff. • Itchy skin. • Overgrooming. • Patches of dark skin.

We all know that caring for a dog’s teeth is important. However, did you know that at different stages of their life, your dog requires different types of dental care? Puppies have sensitive and vulnerable teeth. For this reason, their teeth should be treated with care. Their young teeth may also not yet be strong enough to deal with some dental treatments. Equally, adult dogs’ teeth are not as fragile and therefore can withstand other forms of care. Dental care is particularly important here, because unlike puppies their set of teeth has to last for the rest of their life. Older dogs tend to be at a higher risk of dental conditions because their teeth are often more fragile, and they have worn down over time. Read on to discover the different stages of dental care. Puppy Teeth Taking care of a puppy’s teeth can be difficult. Their mouths and teeth are constantly growing and going through changes, which makes keeping track of their dental health important. By the age of 3-4 weeks your pup should have started to grow their first set of teeth. Just like people, dogs grow a set of milk teeth before their adult teeth come through. Once they have come through it tends to take around another 3-4 months before they fall out and adult teeth begin to take their place. Whilst milk teeth aren’t permanent it is still important to look after them. Following the below tips should help keep your puppy’s teeth healthy throughout their first year: Check teeth regularly – Since your puppy’s teeth are constantly changing it’s important that you check them out at least once a week. This will allow you to identify if there are any early signs of a condition developing in your dog’s mouth. Provide your puppy with toys – It’s important to make sure your dog has chew toys while they’re going through the teething process. Chew toys will not only help to keep your dog’s teeth clean, but will also soothe the pain of teething. Make sure teeth have fallen out – After about 3-4 months your puppy’s teeth should have started to fall out. You should take your pup to the vet if your dog’s teeth haven’t started to fall out by this time. Brush their teeth – Brushing your puppy’s teeth from a young age is really important. Not only does it help look after their teeth, but it also gets them used to the idea of brushing from a young age. We advise you start off by slowly rubbing your fingers across your puppy’s mouth. Once you have mastered this you can start to use toothpaste and eventually a toothbrush. Remember to praise and reward your dog after each session of cleaning.

We tend to think that dog’s teeth are different from our own human ones, but in fact they can have many of the same dental health problems. One of these is cavities, which are small holes or weaknesses in the tooth. We explore what cavities in dogs really are, what they look like, how they’re diagnosed and how to prevent them from occurring in your dog. What are cavities in dogs'teeth? Cavities in dog’s teeth are small holes in the tooth caused by decay. They tend to appear as a result of a build-up of bacteria in the dog’s mouth. Once bacteria have started to build up it produces a type of acid, which, if left untreated, eats away at a dog’s teeth and causes a loss of calcium which is normally found in the enamel of its tooth. Once this calcium is lost, the tooth begins to decay and you may start to see small holes or cavities appear. The good news for pet owners is that cavities in dogs are rarer than cavities in human teeth. This is in part because of the way a dog’s teeth are shaped. As humans, we have teeth in our mouth that have a horizontal crown shape, meaning they have flat sides and tops. This shape allows food deposits to naturally sit in and between the teeth, which can then encourage bacterial growth. Most of a dog’s teeth are separate and shaped like a pointy cone. This conical shape makes it harder for food deposits to be retained on the teeth surface, which in turn makes it harder for bacteria to grow. The exception to this is the molar teeth at the back of the mouth. Dogs also have saliva of a more alkaline p H which can help reduce acids and the risk of dog cavities. This being said, bacteria and cavities can still form in your dog’s mouth, so it’s important to keep a good dental health routine and regularly check for any issues.

Dog constipation can affect many dogs. Make sure you know what the symptoms are and discover what you can do to help your dog get back to their normal self. Dog constipation is not exactly the kind of challenge you’re looking forward to when becoming a dog owner, but it is a problem you are likely to face at some point. This is why we recommend becoming familiar with the signs, the causes and the things you can do to help your pup through the discomfort. Here is a simple need-to-know guide to dog constipation. Dog constipation symptoms Due to the daily poop scooping duties, you should quickly notice when your dog is not on their regular schedule. If you discover that your dog has been unable to produce stools in more than 24 hours, this is a clear indication that your dog is experiencing constipation. Here are the most common dog constipation symptoms to be aware of: • Tense abdomen • Hard, dry, small stools • Straining (can be mistaken by owners as difficulty urinating sometimes) • Lack of appetite (occasionally) • Hunched posture Dog constipation causes Potential causes for dog constipation include: • Dehydration • Not enough or too much fibre in their diet • Swallowing grass • Sedentary lifestyle • Hair ingestion • Hernia • Tumours near the pelvic region • Side effects of some medications • Neurologic disorder • Foreign body (ingestion of an object which causes an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract – though you are likely to notice other concerning clinical signs such as inappetence or severe abdominal discomfort before you notice constipation) If your dog gets constipated regularly, speak to your vet to find out whether there is an underlying cause that could be addressed.

Understanding when or when not to visit the vet can be difficult, especially when dealing with a dog’s dental health. Most people don’t want to see their vet every time they have a small question, but equally, not going at all could mean dental problems go unnoticed. Keep reading to find out some of the dog dental health warning signs you should be looking out for. Bleeding Gums In Dogs If you notice your dog’s gums bleeding we would advise you take them to visit your vet as soon as possible. If the gums are bleeding lightly over a wide area of a dog’s gums, it could be a sign of gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. Both diseases can cause discomfort and lead to issues such as weight loss. If your dog’s gums are bleeding heavily it is probably a sign they have cut their gums rather than a sign of dental disease. Dogs can cut their gums on a number of different things, especially when on a walk. Items to watch out for when walking include: • Sharp or splintering sticks • Smashed or cracked glass • Waste plastic • Rocks and stones • Used plastic food cartons • And more If you do notice your dog’s gums bleeding heavily, we recommend you take them to your vet as soon as possible. Once there, your vet will be able to stop the bleeding and help them to recover from the cut. Tooth Loss In Dogs Tooth loss can be a very common issue for older dogs. This is because dental calculus builds over time, and eventually causes teeth to fall out. As this is an issue primarily for senior dogs it shouldn’t be as common in younger dogs. If you have a younger dog and notice their teeth are falling out it could be a sign of something different. If you notice your dog’s tooth has broken off rather than falling out, they could have eaten or chewed something hard like a stone. If this is the case the remaining part of the tooth could still be in your dog’s mouth. This can lead to more serious issues as the tooth could dig further into your dog’s gum; it could also cut other parts of your dog’s mouth. A broken tooth could also lead to a tooth root abscess. A tooth root abscess forms when bacteria is exposed to the root canal of a tooth, usually because of a broken or chipped tooth.

Dog exercises help your dog control their weight and reach their ideal body condition, build energy, and maintain a strong cardiovascular and immune system. And if you join in, you’ll get all those health benefits too! Although for many of us “exercise” and “fun” don’t always go together in the same sentence, for our dog friends, a workout always brings out their happy tail-wagging side. But dog exercise isn’t just for staving off your pet’s boredom. Walking your dog daily is also key to keeping them in shape and healthy, both physically and mentally. Luckily there are lots of fun and easy ways to get the “dog workout” task ticked off every day, but before we get to these top dog exercise ideas, here is what makes an active dog, a happy dog. The benefits of dog exercise Keeping your dog active and well-exercised does more than keeping your pet in shape. Dog exercise has many benefits: • Staves off obesity by burning out excess calories. • Keeps them well behaved as they don’t have to look out for creative ways to keep themselves entertained such aschewing furniture or barking up a storm.

Why is my dog chewing excessively? If your dog is chewing furniture, or excessively chewing their toys, it may be time to review their dental health. Discover possible causes for inappropriate dog chewing below, and learn how to help stop your dog chewing furniture and other items. Why is my puppy chewing on things? Teething is perhaps the most common reason for a puppy chewing. Just like in humans, teething is a stage every puppy has to go through and it can be uncomfortable. Teething is when the adult teeth are emerging and puppies often find that chewing on things helps to relieve the pain. The problem is they don’t yet understand what is and isn’t acceptable to chew on. Our first tip to help with puppy chewing and teething is to provide your puppy with plenty of safe chew toys. If they have plenty of appropriate items they can chew, they are less likely to chew on things such as furniture and cables. It is also important for you to play with your puppy using these toys. This will not only give you time to bond with your new pup but will also teach them that chewing their toys is a positive thing to do. It is important to keep items you do not want chewed out of your puppy’s way while they are going through this teething stage. Things such as electrical cables and favourite shoes should be placed out of reach. This stage usually only lasts for around six months, and your puppy should generally grow out of it. If after this time your dog hasn’t grown out of this type of puppy chewing there may be an underlying condition. Always visit your vet if you are uncertain. Medical causes for dog chewing Another reason for a dog chewing excessively is because of a medical condition. If your dog isn’t getting all the nutrients they need for a complete and balanced diet, they may develop a condition known as ‘pica’. Dogs with this condition tend to compulsively eat non-food substances. This can often be mistaken for a dog chewing issue. Gastrointestinal conditions such as dog gastroenteritis have also been linked to excessive inappropriate chewing. A dog with gastrointestinal conditions may chew things to help relieve the feelings of sickness. If you believe your dog could have either of the above conditions, you should take them to visit their vet for a full diagnosis. Separation anxiety Another common reason for excessive dog chewing is separation anxiety. This type of anxiety affects dogs that feels nervous when their owners leave them in the house alone. The stress can cause a dog to chew furniture and other items. Dogs will often show other signs of separation anxiety at the same time, such as excessive barking, defecation indoors, urination and extreme pacing. The best way to help a dog with separation anxiety overcome this anxiety is to show them that being alone can be positive. Read more about helping a dog with separation anxietyin our handy article. Boredom can cause excessive dog chewing Boredom can be the cause of a number of inappropriate behaviours, such as a dog chewing excessively. Taking your dog out for daily walks and setting time aside to regularly play with your dog can help avoid this kind of behaviour. Your dog should not be frustrated or bored, but stimulated and happy instead. Check out our brain games for dogs if you need a bit of inspiration.

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.