Wellbeing questions and answers

Here you can find some of the most frequently asked questions about dog wellbeing answered.

1. Should I treat my puppy for worms on his arrival, even if he doesn’t appear to have them?

Most puppies are born with worms and therefore it is important to treat both the puppies and the mother. You can detect the worms from your dog’s stool or vomit. They can be spaghetti- or rice-type elements.

2. How do I check my dog for ticks?

You should take care of your dog regularly, by combing or going over the coat, depending on its length. This grooming will also give the opportunity to spot any changes that your dog might have. Ticks suck the blood and bury their mouthparts under a dog’s skin. Ticks are usually black with eight legs and a round head you can see swelling after the tick has attached itself. The best way to get rid of them is let your vet take care of it, but if you prefer to do it at home, there are tick removers especially designed for this kind of thing.

3. How do I know how much exercise is enough for my dog?

It is a common myth that small dogs would require less exercise than big dogs. The truth is however otherwise, as it always breed depending. For example fairly small Jack Russell Terriers are little bundles of energy requiring lots of exercise. The most important thing for any dog is routine in your ways, as dogs learn to expect things from you very quickly and this gives them a feeling of security.

4. My dog is constantly thirsty, what should I do?

If your dog is suddenly very thirsty, you should consult a vet. This is alerting if there is no apparent reason for the thirst such as exercise or heat.

5. What should my dog’s tongue look like, when its healthy?

A healthy tongue is commonly pink. If the tongue has some lighter shades, this might be due to contact with some chemical. If your dog has a blue tongue, this might be an indication of shortage of oxygen in the blood. The condition is called Cyanosis and usually is noticeable in the gums as well, and can be caused by several causes such as heart disease or exposure to toxins. In any case you should get in touch with a vet.

6. My dog needs to urinate more often than normal. What could cause this?

If your dog seems to have problems with bladder control, you should pay attention such things as age, because as dogs get older, they might be suffering from an age related illness causing the involuntary urinating. If the previous is not the case then this might be caused by a urinary infection, if there is blood, crystals or pus in the urine. A vet should treat this condition.

7. Why can male dogs sometimes lose their appetite?

Male dogs can detect a female in heat from a very long distance. If he can’t reach the bitch it can lead to a loss of appetite.

8. Must a puppy sleep a lot?

Pups can play intensively for 20-30 minutes. After that time they are already tired. Let the pup sleep so he can recover.

9. Can I give my dog his food before a long walk?

It’s always best to feed your dog after the exercise. Especially with big dogs there is a risk of stomach torsion if he’s active to quickly after his meal.

10. What if my dog eats a dangerous object?

When a dog picks up something and swallows it, which can be dangerous, the best is to give pure salt on a spoon. The salt will make the dog vomit. So that he will vomit out the dangerous object.

11. How can I teach my pup to sleep in his crib?

Ask the breeder/previous owner to put a piece of textile in the nest. By putting this piece of textile in the place that you want the dog to sleep, he will recognise a familiar smell.