General Dog Health

Open wide and say woof! Our General Dog Health section covers a variety of concerns, questions, products, and topics that help you stay informed when it comes to your pooch’s well-being. Learn more about how you can make your four-legged family member feel their best, both mentally and physically.

Dog’s physical condition is not the only indicator of their health. What makes a dog healthy and happy is a complex topic that includes many aspects of their lifestyle, and in Petguide.com’s General Dog Health blog, we try to give you the complete overview of all those important facets.

Worried about your dog’s health issue? Read our articles on dog illnesses and medical conditions such as cherry eyes, allergies, gingivitis, and more. Wondering what goes on in that cute head of theirs? Take a look at eye-opening articles on empathy in dogs or emotions dogs can experience. We also cover how dogs influence our health, so make sure to check out our articles on how dogs make us happier and improve our lives.

For those of you who love reading interesting facts, quirks, and curiosities about dog’s health, you’re in the right place. Discover the real truth about doggie pheromones and canine plastic surgery, find out what is hybrid vigor and double merle dog, and if vaping and second-hand smoke really have an impact on your pooch’s health. Always wanted to know where healthiest dogs live or if tail docking has any benefits? Stay up to date with latest findings and studies that concern dog health!

A wholesome lifestyle helps your pup have optimal health. Our guides and articles help you learn all the essentials needed for a dog’s well-being and provide your dog with the best care possible. And don’t be shy – if you have a question about General Dog Health, please feel free to ask us.

Tricks of the Trade: Fear-Free Veterinary Strategies

A trip to the vet? No thank you! If your dog hates going to see the veterinarian, there are things you can do to ensure a less stressful visit.

7 Ways To Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean

We love it when our doggos have that pearly white smile, don’t we? It means that their teeth and gums are in good shape and that’s a good indicat…

Tips On Making Your Home Comfortable For Your Senior Dog

Your dog deserves a comfortable retirement – here’s how to make it golden He’s been by your side for a long time. Even though he’s no…

What The Heck Are Dog Eye Boogers?

They're gross and you've probably had to clean them from your dog's peepers at some point. But what exactly are dog eye boogers and should you be concerned?

Do Dogs Cry?

Have you ever seen a dog's eyes well up with tears? Do dogs cry, and if so, can they feel emotions that can make them sad?

5 Benefits of Playing With Your Dog

Did you need a reason to play with your dog? We have 5 great benefits why you should play fetch with Fido.

Taking a Bite Out Of Gingivitis in Dogs

Did you know that most dogs will suffer from gum disease during their life? Here's how you can help stop gingivitis in dogs.

Is Your Anxiety Contagious to Your Dog?

Feeling anxious? There's a possibility that your dog is feeling it, too. Here's how to tell if your dog is feeling anxious and what you can do about it.

Chronic Ear Infections in Dogs: They’re Smelly and Tough to Resolve

For those of us with floppy-eared dogs, we know the signs of a pending ear infection all too well. The constant ear scratching, head shaking and that tell-tale…

What is an Elimination Diet for Dogs?

The goal of an elimination diet is to identify which food (or foods) are triggering the adverse reaction in your pet.

Is Rock Salt Toxic to Dogs?

Sadly, the answer is yes – rock salt, commonly used for de-icing roads and sidewalks in winter, can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities.

5 Tip-Top Health Tips For Senior Dogs

Older dogs come with their own set of unique issues that require preventive measures to ensure your dog continues to enjoy a happy life. He’s not the y…

Unleash The Hero In Your Dog By Donating Canine Blood

Did you know that your dog can donate blood? It’s true! Here’s why letting your dog donate blood can save the lives of countless pets. Its summer…

Fever in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Fever is a concern when it happens - and our dogs can even get one. Before you panic, read on to know what you should know about fever in dogs.

How to Treat a Dog’s Dry Nose

We all know that a wet dog nose means a healthy pooch. But how do you treat a snout that's gone dry? Here are a few things you can try.

My Dog Has Skin Tags – Is He Alright?

The truth is, skin tags are normal for dogs and they'll get any number of them throughout the course of their life.

How to Prepare for Unexpected Vet Bills

Accidents happen. And as pet parents, nobody knows that like we do. Here's how to prepare for unexpected vet bills.

Can Dogs Get Pimples?

Does Spot has spots he shouldn't have? Dogs can get those annoying pimples, and while not a threat to his health, they can be irritating to his skin.

Why Dental Health Is So Important For Dogs?

Here are some important reasons why you need to keep your dog’s smile healthy Dental health is often overlooked in dogs. Owners expect their dogs to ha…

The Dangers of Rat and Mouse Poison to Dogs

Some dogs will try anything that looks tasty from off the ground. Keep your dog away from rat and mouse poison.

Combat Dog Dental Disease With Help From Loving Pets and The Missing L

Canine dental health problems? With help from Loving Pets and The Missing Link, we can keep our pooch's teeth pearly white.

Study Suggests Shared Risk For Diabetes Between Dogs And Their Humans

A new study out of Sweden and the United Kingdom suggests that the humans of dogs who have diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes as well. The s…

How Second-Hand Smoke Affects Your Dog

Need another good reason to quit smoking? That nasty habit could be killing your dog! You probably already know the dangers of second-hand smoke for infants…

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

Have you noticed your pooch sneakily snacking on grass? Here's why your lawn clippings suddenly seem as appetizing as kibble.

7 Doggy Dangerous (and Surprising) Things That Contain Xylitol

When ingested, Xylitol can be deadly for dogs. But did you know that these common household items contain this toxic chemical?

How To Tell If Your Dog Is Underweight

Healthy weight is important- you don't want your pet to be too skinny nor too chubby. Here are some signs that your dog might be underweight.

How To Stop Stinky Dog Farts

Urgh! What's that smell? We've been blaming rotten smells on the dog for many years, but what can you do if you've got a legitimate problem with dog farts?

How to Read Your Dog’s Poop

It's not on any best-seller list, but reading your dog's poop can help determine his health. Here's how to read your dog's poop and understand what it's saying.

Seasonal Allergies Bring Scratches and Sniffles in Our Pets

Pets can react to seasonal allergies. Unusually warmer temperatures this season mean more allergic reactions, and experts offer professional suggestions.

Why Bad Dog Breath Is A Big Problem

What have you been eating? If your dog's breath smells like a dump (garbage or otherwise), there may be some health issues causing it.

What is a Double Merle Dog?

You've probably heard of a merle coat... but what about a double merle dog? This unusual coat coloring can bring with it a potential list of health problems.

Do You Lift a Leg When Your Dog is Stung by Jellyfish?

You've heard that when someone gets stung by a jellyfish, you pee on the wound. But what do you do when it happens to your dog?

6 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Dog’s Heart Healthy

If you thought that keeping your dog “heart healthy” was simply down to controlling his weight and getting in some exercise, you’d only be partially right.

How To Stop Your Dog From Following You Around the House

We love them to bits yet, let’s be honest, there are times when being followed around all day by our furry little buddies becomes, well, annoying. Am I right?…

Can Stress Cause Health Issues in Dogs?

It is important to differentiate a small potentially stressful situation from severe and repeated major stress. Neither is good, but the latter can be a major health hazard.

Tick Guide: Common Types Of Ticks In North America

You've heard of bird watching... but tick watching? It's not an actually hobby, but if you're a dog owner, you should know the types of ticks in your area.

Pet Wellness Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune

An affordable pet care program is here for you and your pet from Vital Care by Petco. Find out the perks and benefits of this program.

How Water is Important for a Dog’s Digestive Health

It's more than just a matter of thirst. Water also plays an important role in a dog's digestive health. Here's how it helps keep things moving.

Spondylosis in Senior Dogs

As our dogs age and enter their golden years, there are many health-related conditions that they may experience.

Dog Scooting: The Sad, Scratchy Story Of Oscar’s Ichy Butt

Sure, it's the butt of many jokes, but dog scooting can be a pain in the ass... just ask Oscar! I've discovered a few common and itchy reasons why dogs scoot:

What’s All the Controversy Around Hybrid Vigor in Dogs?

From breeders to pet parents, it seems like everyone has an opinion about hybrid vigor. But what is it and is it a good or bad thing?

All You Need to Know About Vet Telehealth

Veterinary telehealth, also known as pet telehealth, veterinary telemedicine, or virtual vet is a form of a remote veterinary practice – in other words, veterinarian-provided medical advice and services through any available communication technologies, just as call centers, smartphone apps, chats, etc.

Top 10 Best Dogs For Allergy Sufferers

What dogs won't make you sneeze? Learn the basics about hypoallergenic dog breeds and our recommendations for the top 5 best dogs for allergy sufferers.

5 Ways Probiotics Can Help Your Dog

You take probiotics to help your digestion - but did you know that your pooch could take them, too? Here are a few reasons to give your dog probiotics.

The Hideous Truth About Dog Plastic Surgery

On the list of things you can do for your pooch, plastic surgery isn’t one of them. Things have come a long way since tail docking – many of thes…

Why is My Dog Lethargic?

Is your dog lethargic? You may be inclined to dismiss it as being the heat, him being tired, or boredom, it may be something entirely different.

Is My Dog Drinking Enough Water?

Slurp, slurp! Keeping hydrated is important - and that goes for dogs. Are you sure your dog is drinking enough water?

Is Papain Safe For Dogs

If you’re scratching your head wondering what the heck is papain and where or why would you even begin to look for it, the answers are easy. The natural version of papain is found in your grocery store’s produce section and you may recognize it better as papaya.

Pros and Cons of Pet Dental Care Products

Not all dogs are keen on having their teeth brushed. In between vet appointments, try these dental care products that help your dog's mouth stay clean.

Talking About Tartar Buildup On Dog’s Teeth

Ick! It’s gross, but you can’t hide from it – tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth can be a serious issue It’s not pretty but we&…

Do Dogs Get Seasonal Depression?

Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD or seasonal depression, is connected to shorter days, colder weather, and bleaker views and can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. But what about our dogs? Can they get seasonal depression as well?

Head Pressing in Dogs: Should You Be Concerned?

It sounds like a harmless behavior, but head pressing in dogs can point to something more serious. Here's what to watch out for and how to treat it.

Tips to Handle a Poison Emergency

You've got an emergency on your hands - you need to think fast. What do you do? Keep these tips around in case you have a poison emergency.

Is A Wet Dog's Nose Good or Bad?

A dog’s nose is their tool for discovering the world around them through scent, but dog noses are important for much more than sniffing – the state of your p…

Why Does My Dog’s Breath Stink?

Holy cow - what's that smell coming out of your dog's mouth?! If you're wondering why your dog's breath stinks, take a look at what we have to say.

Canine PTSD: What You Need To Know About PTSD In Rescue Dogs

You’re likely familiar with what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is and what it may look like in humans. But did you know that up to nearly a fifth of res…

Vets Warn: Dry Drowning Is a Risk for Dogs, Too

Want to take your pooch to the beach for some summer fun? Read this first. Sunny days on the beach, frozen treats, and vacation time– what’s no…

Flea And Tick Control: Fact Or Myth?

True or false? When it comes to flea and tick information, lucky guesses just won't cut it. Get the facts on how to control these pests.

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Pollen?

Believe it or not, dogs can be allergic to pollen, just like humans. This condition is known as canine pollen allergy or canine hay fever. Here's what you can do to help your pet.

Do Dogs Feel Empathy?

At times, there are moments when you think that your dog knows exactly how you feel. But are dogs really capable of feeling empathy?