Health

Gastroenteritis in dogs is a fairly common condition and will usually display as diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting too. Find out all you need to know about what causes it, the most common symptoms and the current veterinary treatments available. If your dog has suddenly started having diarrhoea and perhaps vomiting as well, there’s a chance it may be dog gastroenteritis. This is a relatively common condition, typically occurring after the consumption of something unsavoury, but luckily with the right treatment it usually disappears relatively quickly. At Purina, we’ve put together this guide to tell you all you need to know about gastroenteritis in dogs including the most common causes and the current treatment options available. What is gastroenteritis in dogs? Gastroenteritis in dogs is a condition that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines). It will most commonly display as diarrhoea either with or without vomiting, where it can be just vomiting, this is far less common. Gastroenteritis can be either chronic (where it lasts for more than two weeks) or acute (this type doesn’t last long and will usually go away by itself in time, but may worsen as it goes on). What causes gastroenteritis in dogs? There can be many causes of gastroenteritis in dogs, including: • Eating food that’s gone bad • Ingesting foreign bodies • Ingesting toxins • Certain viruses or bacteria, such as parvovirus • Liver and kidney disease • Intestinal parasites, such as worms • Food allergies • Gastrointestinal ulcers • Certain cancers of the gastrointestinal tract

As a dog owner you can sometimes find yourself obsessing over dog poop. From the colour of it, to the shape and consistency, you may be wondering what's normal. Our guide to dog poop aims to answer all of your questions and more. Every dog poops, this is true. Poop can seem like an unremarkable thing; but did you know that your dog’s poop can be a great indicator of your dog’s overall health and even prevent some health issues down the road if you know what to look for? That’s why over at Purina (and at your vet’s office!) we like to get personal about the poop-scooping experience. The next time you’re out on a walk with your dog, take a good look at your dog’s poop – this way you’ll be able to get a good whiff of the important information that your dog is trying to tell you.

Spending lots of time indoors can get boring for all after a while, and that feeling extends to your pets too! That’s why we’ve put together this article to give you lots of handy tips for keeping your cat or dog entertained inside your home. When the whole family is cooped up inside for extended periods of time, you may find it difficult to come up with new activities for your family and pets. Fortunately, there are a number of enrichment activities you can set up indoors for both cats and dogs and some can even involve the kids. These activities can provide your pet with much-needed mental stimulation and help prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviours if left unchecked. 1. Designated Together Time Transitioning to being home all day is a big change for everyone, including your pets. Try creating a new routine with designated time together each day. Try doing fifteen minutes at the same time every day for a week. Find a quiet space, and while giving your pet your undivided attention, pet them for the full fifteen minutes, adding in praise or telling them a story. Note how your pet reacts the first day compared to their reaction a week later. They may start seeking you out when it’s play time. If you both enjoyed this time together, continue it as a daily activity, or change things up by keeping the same time but adding a new activity. 2. Movement Both dogs and cats find moving objects, lights and sounds entertaining. You can hang a bird feeder outside a window so your pet can watch. Light catchers, lasers, feather wands and cat dancer toys are popular with cats. You can even try creating your own as a family activity. Light catchers or wind catchers are easy for beginners. 3. Couch Potato Play Spending more time inside often means more time on the couch binge-watching a TV show. Your pet may enjoy curling up next to you for TV time, but you can also give them something to do without leaving the couch. We suggest keeping a basket or drawer of toys close by, such as stuffed animals, feather wands and tug-toys. Verbal encouragement is often enough for pets as they interact with a toy on their own. Provide words of praise, which can increase their excitement for the activity and extend play time.

Most dogs have to wear one of those big, plastic cones at some point in their lives, but why do they actually need to wear them? Read our guide to find out why they're important for your dog and discover the best alternatives currently available. It’s likely that your dog will have to wear a cone at some point in their life, whether it’s after they’ve been neutered or spayed or due to an injury. No dog enjoys wearing the hard plastic collar that resembles a lampshade and you may have even heard it referred to as ‘the cone of shame’. The proper name for a dog cone is the Elizabethan collar, named due to its similarity to the high collars worn in Elizabethan times. But why do dogs wear cones? Keep reading to find out why it’s imperative that they wear one and the dog cone alternatives available on the market. Why do dogs wear cones? Dog cones are designed to stop your dog from licking or scratching a wound, surgical incision or any other irritation.

Dogs sneezing can be a common occurrence, but sometimes you may notice your dog sneezing during unusual times or more than usual. In this article, we investigate the causes of sneezing in dogs and what it could mean for your dog. A dog sneezing is common, normal and really cute to watch! But why do dogs sneeze and what does it mean? When it comes to sneezing in dogs, it doesn’t mean that your dog has a cold, like sneezing usually means in humans. In fact, dogs sneeze for a large number of reasons. It can be due to something minor like a reaction to dust, or more serious. Or it might be a “play sneeze” – more on that later. It all depends on how often your dog is sneezing and what colour the discharge is. In most instances, your dog is sneezing in response to an irritant in the upper airway of the dog’s nose. The dog then sneezes to expel the irritant, much like humans do! There can be many other reasons why your dog is sneezing though, so we’ve made this guide so you can find out why do dogs sneeze? Why do dogs sneeze? There are loads of reasons why your dog is sneezing. It could be an irritant in their nose like dust, household products, perfume or even pollen. Sneezing in dogs can also be due to something stuck in their nose, such as dirt from digging! If your dog is sneezing a lot, it may be a reaction to something in the atmosphere. Be careful when spraying items around your pet as it may irritate their nose. Hunting dogs and those that snuffle in the undergrowth can also get lots of unusual things stuck up their nose like fragments of twigs and leaves. If your dog likes to wander nose-first through the undergrowth, be sure to be on the lookout for this. Usually sneezing helps the dog to expel the item on its own, but if their nose is bleeding or they keep pawing at their nose and sneezing, consult your vet as they may need to remove the object.

Dog scooting is often considered a sign of rambunctious behaviour, but there are cases when it should prompt a call to the vet. Find out more about the unusual behaviour and what you can do to make sure it doesn’t happen again. What is dog scooting? Dog scooting is a behaviour you may have already noticed in your pet. It happens when they sit down and start dragging their bottom across the ground, whether it’s the kitchen floor, the grass in the park or their old favourite – the living room carpet. And although it can be a cause for a good chuckle, an embarrassing moment or just plain annoying, dog scooting should also prompt pet owners to wonder if there is an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. Why do dogs scoot? Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs start dragging their bum on the ground. Intestinal parasites Dog scooting can also be a sign that worms are involved. Intestinal parasites such as roundworms or tapeworms are common in dogs. Puppies can get infected with roundworms from their mother’s milk, while fleas can be the carrier for tapeworms larvae. Here is a list of the different types of worms in dogs and how the vet can help you get rid of them. Anal gland issues Scooting can be caused by anal glands that are full. If this is the case, your dog’s ground gyrations might be an attempt to alleviate some of the painful pressure.

Bees and wasps are among the things that our dogs love to chase most. During the warmer months, we often find them in hot pursuit of these fuzzy insects, but sometimes if they catch them, they can be met with a nasty sting! Find out what to do if your dog’s been stung by a wasp or a bee with our guide. Dogs are fascinated by bees and wasps. Their lazy buzzing is irresistible to dogs who enjoy chasing games. However, these little insects pack a surprisingly powerful sting when caught. In most cases if a dog is stung by a bee or wasp, they will experience mild local irritation which should subside within a few hours. However, it can be more serious if dogs receive multiple stings, or if they occur inside the mouth, nose or other sensitive tissues. At Purina, we’ve put together this useful guide to tell you what to do if your dog’s stung by a wasp or bee, the possible symptoms and when to seek help from your vet.

Dog urine infections are incredibly unpleasant for your pup. Not only is it incredibly annoying needing to wee every few minutes, but it’s also quite painful when they go! Find out everything you need to know about urine infections in dogs with this guide. A dog urine infection is very common, and just like when it happens to us humans, it can be unpleasant and quite painful thanks to the burning sensation when urinating. Luckily, once taken to your vet for diagnosis and treatment, these infections will clear relatively quickly and your canine friend will soon be back to their usual self. If you’re wondering about the signs of dog urine infections and want to know the treatment options available, keep reading as we’ve put together this handy guide with everything you need to know. What are dog urine infections? A dog urine infection is an infection of the urinary tract, making it uncomfortable to pass urine. Your dog may strain when urinating, and their urine may contain blood. These urinary tract infections (UTI) are commonly caused by bacteria including E coli, but some fungi may also cause an infection. UTIs can also be caused by bladder stones, and incontinence in older dogs may also lead to an infection. Surprisingly, dog urine infections are more common than you’d think. According to the American Kennel Club it’s one of the most common infectious diseases in dogs and around 14% will get it at some point in their lives. Are there some dogs more predisposed to urine infections? Any dog can get a urine infection, but there are some which are more likely to be affected. Older dogs are more likely to get them, as are female dogs because they have shorter urethras. Additionally, dogs with pre-existing health conditions such as chronic kidney disease and Cushing’s disease are more at risk of getting a dog urine infection.

Even if you keep a close eye on your dog's health it’s important you book an annual appointment with your vet for a thorough check-up. This will give your vet the chance to spot any potential dog health problems and, hopefully, nip them in the bud before they become serious. Regular health assessments will also help you keep your dog's vaccinations up-to-date, provide an opportunity for you to accurately weigh your dog and help put your mind at ease about any issues. General dog health assessment You already take your four-legged friend to the vet when they’re sick or injured but those appointments tend to focus mainly on one particular issue. ‘Check-up’ visits, on the other hand, are more holistic, giving your vet the opportunity to detect subtle changes in your pet's overall physical health. Ideally, your vet should see your dog at least once a year, and more frequently as they get older or if they have special medical needs. These regular visits play a huge part in the 'prevention is better than cure' approach; so don't hold off making the appointment just because your dog seems fit and healthy to you. Your vet will check your dog over, including listening to their heart and lungs, running their hands over their abdomen to check for any unusual signs, checking for skin/coat, eye and ear problems and scanning their microchip to see if it’s all in working order. Making vet visits less stressful Another advantage of these annual check-ups is to get your dog used to visiting the vet surgery when they’re well. If they only visit when they’re hurt or ill they can become nervous about seeing the vet, associating their trips with bad times or stressful experiences. It’s a good idea to pop into the vet practice every so often, even if you don’t have an appointment. The receptionists and vet nurses will always appreciate a cuddle and it will create a positive memory for your furry friend.

Does your dog have the healthiest digestive system possible? Are they eating happily, thriving, growing and making the most of life? To keep your dog healthy, it’s crucial the digestive system is working at its best. For some dogs, this may mean choosing a food that is specially formulated to support sensitive digestion.

Making a running partner out of your pet can be great. If you learn how to train your dog correctly, you’ll be improving your health, happiness, and your special bond… for both of you! Build up slowly to your ideal run. Just like humans, dogs need to acclimatise to levels of exercise. You could also research your dog’s breed to discover exactly what kind of running they might enjoy: you never know, they might just inspire you to achieve a marathon with time! Why run with your dog? There’s a whole host of research that tells us how great running can be for your health. It prevents helps obesity, helps you to get fit, and can increase your stamina. It’s even been shown to lift your mood. And it doesn’t require an expensive gym membership either. What’s good for you is also great for your dog: it’ll also help them to lose weight if their body condition isn’t ideal, build muscle, and keep healthy. Keeping your dog fit and healthy is the best way to avoid expensive vet bills in the future. It’s also fantastic for your dog’s mood: most dogs are built to run (albeit some breeds more than others). They all enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors, and time spent pounding the pavement with you will always be time well spent in your pet’s mind. If you’ve noticed destructive behaviours creeping in, jogging with your dog might be a solution. Active breeds that are kept indoors for long periods of time can become bored, which may result in a bad behaviour. Keeping their mind and body active will help to get rid of that pent-up energy, and it’ll also build a great bond between the pair of you.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to have ticks. These pesky parasites are very adept at attaching themselves to your dog’s coat, even if you do your best to avoid them. Luckily there are simple ways to help prevent, and treat, ticks on dogs. What are dog ticks? Ticks are eight-legged parasites that bite your dog to drink their blood. Although dog ticks are very tiny, they can swell up to the size of a pea once they’ve attached themselves to your dog by burying their mouthparts into their skin. There are several types of tick that can affect dogs in the world, including dog ticks, sheep ticks and hedgehog ticks. They can also bite humans too, and some ticks can transmit diseases. How do I spot ticks on my dog? Dog ticks are just large enough to be visible, especially if they’ve already had a bite – then they can look like small warts, and on closer inspection you can see their legs, too. You’ll usually find them around your dog’s head and neck area - just part your dog’s fur and run your fingers along their skin. Tick bites on dogs can also cause irritation and redness. How do I remove dog ticks? Never pull a tick out of your dog’s skin as you may end up leaving the mouthpart behind, which could cause an infection or inflammation. Instead, ask your vet to give you a specially designed tick removal tool that will get rid of the mouthparts as well, and ask them to show you how to remove dog ticks if you’re unsure. Once you’ve removed the tick, check that its head and legs are intact and there’s nothing left behind in your dog’s skin. If you think there might be, talk to your vet who will be able to advise you and put your mind at ease. Some flea products also kill ticks, while others provide a bit of extra protection against them, although they’ll need more frequent application than usual. Always talk to your vet to find the best treatment for your dog. Brushing your dog can also help remove them in some cases. For more information, check out our easy step by step guide for how to remove a tick from a dog.