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660 results for “dog health check”
Why Won’t My Dog Eat Kibble?
A dog may refuse kibble from natural pickiness, illness, or being spoiled by tasty homemade food. Rule out health issues first, then feed on a fixed schedule in set amounts and stop caving to its demands, hunger will bring it back to the bowl.
Dry Nose and Runny Discharge in Dogs
A dry nose alone is not proof of sickness, nor is a wet one proof of health, but the type of discharge matters. Clear runny nose with normal spirit suggests a mild cold, while yellow-green pus with other signs points to bacterial infection or even distemper.
Why Does My Dog Whine for No Reason?
Dogs whine to seek attention, show excitement, or vent frustration — the root cause is usually 'notice me.' Rule out pain with a checkup, then meet the need without rewarding the whine, and tire the dog out with daily exercise.
Why Do Dogs Tear Up So Much?
Frequent tearing and stains in dogs come from many causes, hereditary overproduction, entropion, diet, inflamed tear glands, ear infections, or short-nosed breeds. Most are manageable once the underlying cause is found, so watch your dog closely and see a vet when home care is not enough.
Why Dogs Chase Their Tails: Six Reasons Behind the Habit
Tail-chasing is rarely just a quirky game — it can mean boredom, a cry for attention, fleas or parasites, or an inflamed anal gland a dog cannot otherwise reach. In some dogs it becomes a compulsive loop, and a Husky may simply be being a Husky, but persistent spinning deserves a closer look.
Your Dog’s First Vaccination
A vaccine is a tamed virus (rabies is killed) that teaches the body to make antibodies without causing disease. Puppies usually get their first combination shot at 45 days; toy breeds can wait to about 8 weeks. Full protection takes 2–3 weeks, so avoid baths, new food, and stress right after.
Don’t Let Summer Ruin Your Dog’s Ear Health
Hot, humid summers spike ear disease, especially in drop-eared breeds like Cockers, Beagles, and Basset Hounds. The four usual offenders — outer and inner ear infections, fungal overgrowth, and ear mites — all need a vet's lab confirmation and proper pet medication, never human products; the fix is prevention: dry, clean ears and regular checks.
How to Vaccinate Your Dog
Puppies lose their mother's antibodies by about eight weeks, so the core schedule begins then: a bivalent shot at 6–7 weeks against distemper and parvovirus, the six-in-one vaccine 3–4 weeks later, and six-in-one plus rabies another 3–4 weeks on. Use one vaccine brand throughout, vaccinate only a healthy dog, skip baths for two weeks after each shot, and keep outings minimal until the series is finished.
What to Do About Heavy Shedding in Long-Haired Dogs Each Spring
Spring shedding is normal for most long-haired dogs, but sudden or out-of-season hair loss warrants a vet check. Keep the coat manageable with a low-salt diet, a weekly dog-specific bath, and daily brushing, and stay on top of the loose fur around the house.
At What Age Should Dogs Stop Breeding?
Most veterinarians advise retiring a female dog from breeding around age 6, since fertility and fitness decline with age and the risk of difficult labor rises — small breeds may go longer, large breeds reach their limit sooner. Males have no hard cutoff but their fertility and drive fall with age, so pacing matings protects both body and mind; always plan with a vet, because too-frequent breeding raises the bitch's risk of pyometra and miscarriage.