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Q&A for How to Check if Your Dog Is Healthy and Happy
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QuestionWhy is my dog drinking less than half the amount of water it usually drinks?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.If the dog has had a recent change of diet, he may be getting more water from the new food than the old and therefore need to drink less. If the dog is as active as normal, eating well, and has no signs of ill health (malaise, coughing, tummy upset, etc.) then it's unlikely you need to worry.
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QuestionMy dog doesn't have fleas but is licking her paws and legs. Why?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.Licking is often due to skin irritation triggered by parasites or allergies. Some parasites, such as the sarcoptes mite, are too small to see with the eye but make the dog incredibly itchy. Therefore it's important to rule out all parasites, not just fleas. A common cause of itchiness is an allergic reactions to allergens in the environment such as pollens, mold spores, dust mites, or food.
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QuestionHow can you tell if a dog is sad?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.Knowing what is normal behavior for your dog is hugely valuable. Should their behavior change, they may be unhappy about something, or there may be a physical cause, such as ill health.
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QuestionWhat are some signs your dog is happy?Rendy Schuchat is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of the largest dog training facility, Anything Is Pawzible, based in Chicago, Illinois. With over 20 years of experience, Rendy specializes in positive dog training and behavior modification to help people build and strengthen their relationships with their dogs. She holds a BA in Psychology and Communications from the University of Iowa, an MA in Psychology from Roosevelt University, and a Certification in Dog Obedience Instruction from Animal Behavior Training and Associates. Rendy was voted one of the Best/Favorite Dog Trainers in Chicago by Chicagoland Tails Reader’s Choice Awards multiple times and was voted Chicago Magazine’s “Best Dog Whisperer” in 2015.It's a good sign when you see your dog engaging in activities that motivate them, like chewing on a bone or running in the yard looking for critters. Their body language will likely reflect this as well—you should see tail wags, bright eyes, and alert, attentive ears.
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QuestionWhat does it mean if my dog is licking his nails frequently?Community AnswerYour dog's nails could be dirty, too long, or damaged. Take a look at them, and see if they need to be cleaned of trimmed. Your dog's nails should be trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks.
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QuestionMy dog exudes a very bad smell every couple days when I give him a bath. This is a reoccurring problem. What can I do?Community AnswerYou could see a vet about it, as it could be a condition with your dog's skin. Your dog might also be rolling in something that smells very bad after you bathe him. Watch him on the day that you bathe him, and make sure he isn't rolling in something disgusting. Be sure to brush out your dog's fur.
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QuestionWhat should I do if my dog is a picky eater?Community AnswerTry preparing your dog's food on the stove or counter. Since this is where your dog sees your preparing your tasty food, he may think that it is special and tasty too, and eat it.
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QuestionHow do I reduce the biting of Labrador if it supposed to be a friendly dog?Reia CastroCommunity AnswerLike a average human, dogs have different personalities despite being the same breed as another dog. Mouthiness is common in dogs, so a little training should do the trick.
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QuestionWhy do dogs sometimes chew their feet?Community AnswerSome dogs will chew their paws for many reasons. For example, their paws may be itchy, they have a thorn, their nails are too long or broken, etc. Check their paws and make sure nothing is wrong.
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QuestionHow do I improve my dog's breath?Community AnswerYou should buy your dog breath freshening chews.
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QuestionHow can you tell if a dog is healthy if it has been neutered?Community AnswerSince the testes are essentially removed in male dogs, testicular cancer is mostly out of the question, but still assess the area for any abnormalities, such as swelling. If you would like to know more, talk to your veterinarian. He can answer any specific questions you have.
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QuestionMy three-year old female Norfolk Terrier started drinking longer at the water bowl and I just thought back on it recently. Any suggestions?Community AnswerMaybe your dog is doing more exercise and that is a good thing. If you are concerned, take the dog to the vet for an assessment.
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QuestionMy 12-year-old Red Nose has a wound on top of his penis that won't heal. What should I do since I can't put a bandage on his penis?Community AnswerTake it to the vet, they maybe able to clear it up, remove it, or prescribe medication. Make sure your dog leaves that area alone for a while.
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QuestionWhy is my dogs coat black, flaky and itchy?Community AnswerMaybe your dog was outside going into a lot of dirt which caused the blackness. It could be flaky because of dandruff and itchy because fleas. If it persists you should probably take him to a vet.
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QuestionWhy doesn't my dog bark?Community AnswerSome dogs simply tend to bark less than others, and some breeds are quieter by nature. If you are concerned, see your vet.
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QuestionHow do I deal with malaise in an active dog?M.ranajitCommunity AnswerThings that can make your dog lethargic and weak can range from infection and disease to pain and medication. Because weakness and lethargy can indicate anything from a chronic condition to a life-threatening illness, you should always talk to your vet when you notice either symptom.
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QuestionWhat can I do if my 3-month-old female dog is bleeding?Community AnswerGo to the vet immediately. There is not enough information here to give you any kind of satisfactory answer.
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QuestionWhy does my dog have mucus in her stool after getting her vaccines?M.ranajitCommunity AnswerDog stool often has mucus. It's a slime-like substance made by the intestines to keep the lining of the colon lubricated and moist and is perfectly healthy.
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QuestionMy dog is not sick, but isn't acting right. What can I do?Community AnswerContinue taking your dog to the vet often, as the vet may not be able to catch a problem right away. It could be behavioral problems, in which case you should invest in obedience classes or spend extra time doing training exercises. If there's still a problem, hire a specialist.
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