5 Health Mistakes Dog Owners Make

You want the best for your dog -- your pooch is your best friend, after all. Yet sometimes, pet owners who mean well make serious mistakes, especially when it comes to the health of their dog.

Are you on the right track to keep your dog in top shape? WebMD went to veterinarians to find out the most common health mistakes dog owners make and get their tips on how to avoid them.

Dog Health Mistake 1: Not Getting Preventive Care

Neglecting preventive health care is by far the most common mistake dog owners make, according to the veterinarians we interviewed.

"Taking your dog in to the vet for regular examinations, giving heartworm prevention, and getting your dog the appropriate vaccinations and dewormings can prevent many diseases," says Adrianne Brode, DVM, CCRP, associate medical director at the Canine Health Institute in Houston. For example, heartworm disease can be difficult to treat and ultimately fatal to dogs, but it's easily preventable.

Yearly exams help your vet catch problems early, according to Oregon veterinarian Marla J. McGeorge, DVM. Instead of coping with lengthy treatment of an advanced or chronic condition, your vet can catch issues at their beginning stages, when care may mean cure. And early care saves you money in the long run.

Although annual exams may coincide with needed vaccinations, simply getting your dog vaccinated isn't the same as a full physical exam. Among other things, a comprehensive checkup may include:

·                                 Blood work

·                                 A fecal examination for intestinal parasites

·                                 Examination of a dog’s gums, heart, lungs, teeth, eyes, and ears

Talk to your veterinarian to learn more.

Dog Health Mistake 2: Neglecting Dental Care

Neglecting regular dental care is also common, according to Shawn Messonnier, DVM, author of the Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats. Dogs need dental care for the same reason we do: to prevent gum disease.

As on human teeth, plaque forms on a dog's teeth after eating. If left alone, the plaque builds, causing inflammation, decay, and eventually bone and tooth loss. And while this silent war goes on in your dog's mouth, she’s probably experiencing pain you don't notice because dogs, like cats, instinctively hide pain.

Gum disease is actually five times as common in dogs as in people. But it's easy to prevent and to treat with dental care that includes:

·                                 Daily brushings

·                                 Good quality food

·                                 Regular oral X-rays, exams, and cleanings

·                                 Safe, teeth-cleaning treats and chew toys

Dog Health Mistake 3: Overfeeding

If too much love is ever a bad thing, it is when we show it to our canine companions in the form of too many tasty treats.”Rewarding and loving our dogs with food leads to obesity," Brode says. Overweight or obese dogs are at higher risk for arthritis and other orthopaedic issues, as well as other health problems. 

It can be difficult enough to balance our own diets, much less that of our dogs. So talk to your vet, who will help you select a good, high-quality food for your dog and give you tips on exercise and treats. That's right -- you don't have to stop sharing occasional goodies with your pooch, as long as 90% to 95% of your dog's diet is healthy and well balanced.

Dog Health Mistake 4: Sharing Medication

Another dangerous health mistake owners make is giving dogs human medications. "Pain medications like Advil or Tylenol can be very toxic to dogs," Brode tells WebMD. In fact, there is a host of seemingly benign human drugs that can pose grave health risks for pets.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, according to the ASPCA. Even small doses can be toxic. Antidepressants, muscle relaxers, decongestants, vitamin D derivatives, oral diabetes treatments, and other common human drugs can all pose risks to pets, from seizures to coma to death.

Always keep medication secure -- preferably in a high, locked cabinet -- and never discard medication where pets or children can get to it. If you’re worried that your dog may have gobbled up an over-the-counter or prescription pill you dropped -- or worse, taken an entire bottle from the trash -- don't hesitate.

Dog Health Mistake 5: Delaying Critical Care

We often delay medical care for ourselves, waiting for a bump, pain, or rash to go away. So it may seem natural to do the same thing with our dog.

There's a problem with that, however: Dogs don't have the words to let us know exactly what they're feeling. Your canine companion could be in pain, sick, and even gravely ill -- and chances are you wouldn't know it because of dogs’ instinct to hide infirmity.

Don't wait to see if a health problem in your dog gets better on its own. Call your vet if your dog isn't eating or is eating less, vomiting, lethargic, has diarrhea or fever, or just doesn't seem well.

http://pets.webmd.com/features/dog-health-mistakes