Monday 4 November 2013

Tips to avoid skin issues in dogs

Skin Issues are a common problem faced by many pets.
Is your dog scratching a lot?
Does he / she lick a particular part of the body time and again?
Please do not ignore these symptoms.
These are the first signs that there is something wrong with the skin and coat of your pet.
We really cannot blame the pooches for this as well. We as masters have a responsibility of watching our pets closely and noticing any small thing which goes wrong with them.

1) The easiest way to spot a skin problem and catch it in it's initial stages itself is to observe your pet very closely and check the body and skin of your pet regularly.

2) Maintain a grooming schedule for your pet wherein you spend a good few hours grooming him / her every few days. This not only strengthens your bond with the pet, but also helps you spot these skin issues in the early stage itself.


3) Make a thorough note of the diet and food intake of your pet. Consult your vet regularly about this. Certain dogs develop food allergies which manifest in their skin eventually. A master who is vigilant and careful about what he puts into his pet assures himself and his dog of a good and healthy coat and skin as well.

4) Make sure you maintain a certain level of hygiene with regards to your pets. Wipe their feet after a walk and wet wipe them if they come in after playing in mud and are dirty, if not possible to give them a bath.
Bathe them at good intervals in order to maintain hygiene levels. However, it is not recommended that you bath your dog everyday or even weekly.

5) Sprinkle anti tick and flea powder on your dog before you take him / her out on a walk. Even if your pet does not come in contact with other dogs, chances are there are tick and flea in the environment waiting to pounce and nest on your dog's skin and coat.

6) If your dog is licking a particular body part frequently, then please consult your vet immediately.

7) Always use a proper and vet recommended shampoo for your pet. This can avoid and correct many skin issues.

8) Always vaccum your house regularly. This will give you an idea about the amount of hair your pet is losing. If your pet is losing a large amount of hair, there is probably something in the diet or weather which is not suiting him or her. It is advisable to get a vet consult in the early stages itself.

9) Keep the environment of the dog clean and healthy. Do not keep your dog's bed unclean. An unclean dog bed acts as a breeding ground for parasites.

10) Sometimes dog's are allergic to certain grooming products. Avoid using these products if you see an allergic reaction on your dog's skin or coat.

11) Check your dog for rashes and insect bites regularly. What begins as a small thing, could end up as a big problem if not attended to early on itself.

12) If you observe any kind of skin discoloration, then you must book an appointment with your vet.

13) If your dog has a long haired coat, make sure you pick up the hair and examine the skin underneath. It is easier to spot problems in short haired dogs.

14) Avoid exposing your dog to extreme climate and temperatures. This can cause problems for them.

In short, pay attention to cleanliness, diet and spend quality time with your pet everyday. This will keep him / her healthy.

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