All Your Dog Health Questions Answered!

Just like people, dogs can be overweight. But they don't have to be! Your pet is overweight if you cannot feel the ribs without pressing too hard. Does your dog have a distinct shape? He should......there should be a "waist" when you look at the dog from behind. There should also be a taper towards the tummy if you look from the side.

- Exercise - Dogs need daily exercise (hmmm...just like people...). Throw the ball, take a walk, run on the beach, play tug 'o' war, anything to get the blood flowing and a bit of sweat...for you, not necessarily the dog! Your dog will love you for it and so will your dog's health.

- Food Intake - monitor the food intake....if you were feeding Fido twice a day, cut back to once per day. Limit the amount of people food. If you provide high quality, easily digestible food, your pet does not require "people" food and it isn't good for your dog. Those are extra calories that he doesn't need.

- Owner Modification - you, the owner, needs to change his/her behaviors. It's up to you to enforce the changes required for your dog to lose weight. You may have to adjust your schedule to fit the exercise time in. Maybe you are in the habit of feeding your dog from the table....put him in another room at people meal time. Buy high quality food that is easily digestible.

Obesity leads to other health issues. Your dog wants to live a healthy, active live with you! The OnlineVetClinic.com can assist you in manageing your dog's weight. He will thank you with many years of loving companionship.

In our house, we call it "kibble breath". Whew! Jake, you have kibble breath! That is normal after he eats. What isn't normal is an unusual smell all of a sudden. Bad breath, or halitosis if we want to get scientific, can indicate a more serious health issue. Some dogs are more prone to plaque and tarter build up which can definitely cause the smelly breath. Mints anyone?

Prevention

- Brushing your dog's teeth with toothpaste formulated for dogs

- Quality, easily digestible dog food

- Regular check ups

A talk with the vet can help pinpoint the problem and ensure the good health of your best friend. OnlineVetClinic.com can answer all of your questions and concerns for a fraction of the cost of a vet visit.

Is your dog starting to walk slower? Having a hard time getting up and down the stairs? I know the feeling......oh, we are talking about the dog. Especially if you have an older dog, a major health issue could be arthritis. Pain and inflammation of the joints can strike any dog, big or small.

Symptoms of Arthritis

- walking stiffly

- stiff or swollen joints

- limping or favoring a limb

- shows pain when touched in a particular area, especially a joint

- stiffness or pain when getting up from a lying position

- hesitates when jumping, running or climbing stairs

If you have noticed any of these symptoms in your dog, visit OnlineVetClinic.com to talk with a certified veterinarian professional. Get the answers you need for a fraction of the cost of visting your local vet.