7. Qualities of a Healthy Dog - What Does a Healthy Dog Look Like?

The word “health” encompasses quite a few areas of your dog's life. While he may be healthy in one area, he may suffer in another.

When considering your dog's overall wellness level, examen the following:

• Eyes, Ears, and Nose
• Oral Health
• Stamina, Weight and Eating Habits
• Coat
• Temperature and Heartbeat Patterns
• Emotional and Mental Health

A deficiency in one of these areas can cause problems later on in any of the other areas.

Therefore, no one factor outweighs the other in importance. While regular checkups with your dog's vet are a must, there are steps you can take to help maintain your pet's health between visits.

Inspect the Eyes, Ears and Nose Regularly

Signs of poor eye and ear health in dogs are very easy to detect. Eyes may have a clear discharge in small amounts from time to time, however this is normal. Abnormal eye characteristics include yellow discharge, inflamation, swelling, or excessive watering.

To avoid eye infections, keep foreign items, such as stray eyelashes, dust, and normal discharge away from the inner eye by removing daily with a moist cotton ball. These basic criteria also apply to the ears. Simply check the ears at least once a week for redness, swelling, or excessive wax. Clean them often by wiping down just the outside area (never the inside) with warm water or mineral oil.

You may also wish to trim excess hair that is inside of the ear to clear the hearing passage. Do so with a small pair of trimming scissors, being careful to keep your dog calm during the process.

Contrary to what most dog owners believe, a wet nose on a dog does not necessarily mean that he is healthy. On that note, a dry nose is not automatically a cause for alarm either. However, if you notice that your pet's nose is dry most of the time, you may wish to contact his vet. A better indication of your dog's nasal health is the color and texture of the mucous membrane.

If the mucous coming from your dog's nose is anything other than clear and relatively light (colored, thick, bubbly, etc), contact your veterinarian for further instructions. This may be a sign of infection.

Oral Health

The health of your dog's teeth can determine his overall well being. As even slight problems can lead to major issues such as heart disease, it is imperative that his teeth and gums are kept in excellent condition. Not only can poorly kept teeth and gums cause internal diseases, they can also cause your dog to suffer needlessly from the intense pain associated with decay.

An unhealthy dog's mouth will resemble the unhealthy mouth of a human's. Keep in mind that the closer together the teeth are, the more susceptible your pet is to infections. This means that smaller dogs are at greater risk than larger dogs.

Brush your pet's teeth daily, or at least several times weekly, with a specially formulated dog toothpaste and toothbrush (both of which your vet can give you). You can also promote oral health in between brushing sessions with rope toys or any chew toy that can loosen tartar.

There are also products that can be added to your dog's water that contain enzymes to loosen tartar buildup (consult your local pet store). As oral health is so important to your dog, take him to his veterinarian immediately if any of the following symptoms occur:

• discoloration of the gums
• redness or bleeding
• darkening of the teeth
• yellow or brown tarter buildup on gum line
• swelling
• excessive salivating
• refusal to eat
• chewing on one side only

Monitor Your Dog's Stamina, Weight and Eating Habits

Your dog's stamina is one of the first indicators of his overall health. Dogs under the age of five should be relatively active, showing a desire to play and interact several times daily.

They should be able to easily take brisk walks around your neighborhood, as well as run at full speeds during play times. As dogs age, their stamina and energy will decrease. However, this change should occur slowly. Between the ages of five and seven, there should not be a severe change in your dog's activity level, although a slight disinterest in exercise compared to his younger years can be expected.

After the age of seven, depending on your dog's breed, his activity level will slow considerably. However, dogs of all ages should be able to take light walks without any trouble.

Your dog's weight and eating habits can tell you quite a bit about what is going on inside of his body. If your pet is gaining weight, talk to your vet about switching to a dog food that is formulated for weight loss, or simply consider increasing his activity level. This is to prevent complications that can arise associated with obesity.

Although your dog's eating habits may change as he ages, no sudden refusal to eat is normal. A sudden desire to eat more may be the result of a pregnancy or increased activity levels, however excessive eating coupled with weight loss can be an indication of a worm infestation. Consult your vet immediately if your dog's eating habits change suddenly in any way.

Your Dog's Coat Should be Shiny and Full

When examining your dog's coat, you should be looking at fur that is shiny and full. Pull apart the hairs at various locations, especially around any spots that your pet has been scratching, and look for dandruff and patches of hair loss. Also make sure that no pest infestations or ticks are present.

To keep your dog's fur healthy, simply follow a basic good grooming routine. This will keep your dog's coat free of unwanted infestations, and it will help keep his skin healthy as well. This routine should include:

• weekly bathing
• daily brushing with a soft bristled brush
• weekly pest inspections
• a regimen of flea and tick treatments

Know What Your Dog's Temperature and Heart Rate Should Be

Just as with humans, dogs are susceptible to the occasional fever. Your dog's temperature should always remain around 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check your dog's temperature yourself by applying a lubricant to a thermometer and placing it inside of the anal area, or you can have a vet take care of this process.

Remember, a high temperature can represent any number of illnesses, so consult your vet if there is a problem. Abnormalities in a dog's heart rate can also represent a variety of problems. You can check your dog's heart rate by placing two fingers over your dog's chest (left side). Count the beats that occur in one minute.

They should range between 50 and 130, however your dog's breed and age will determine a more specific range. Consult your vet for a more exact healthy heart rate range for your dog's breed, size, and age.

Do Not Overlook Your Dog's Mental and Emotional Health

Finally, your dog's personality and demeanor can tell you quite a bit about what he is feeling. While abnormal changes in personality can indicate a physical illness, they can also indicate depression or sadness.

Consult your vet immediately if you notice any of the following conditions occurring repeatedly in your dog's personality:

• apathy
• agitation
• changed eating habits
• excessive sleeping
• lost desire to play or exercise
• no reaction to petting or kind words

There are a variety of reasons that your dog may be experiencing the above symptoms. Let your vet know if there have been any recent traumatic events in your dog's life, such as the death of a co-owner, the death of another pet, or a severe physical illness.

Only you can determine whether or not your pet's recent behavioral changes are significant enough to indicate a deeper problem.

When It's Beyond Your Control

In every pet's life, there comes a time when his owner simply cannot help him. This is when a professional must be called. Any significant change in eating habits, personality, or weight is a reason to consult a veterinarian. You will also need to look out for any signs of infection or other injuries, such as limping, whimpering, hostile behavior, and changed urination and defecation habits.

When consulting your dog's vet, include as much information as possible on the matter at hand. The smallest detail can dramatically change a diagnoses. Ask questions if you are not satisfied with your vet's decision, and never allow a vet to simply send your dog home without performing tests if any of his symptoms are severe.

If you are not happy with the service you receive, always let your vet know that you will be seeking out a second opinion. For the safety of your pet, never see a second vet without a complete copy of your dog's health history, as well as a list of any current treatments and medications.