We know that dogs age more quickly than us, but it’s not just 6 or 7 dog-years to one human-year. There are genetic traits that effect ageing – both in humans and dogs. Size determines life expectancy in dogs more than for us; a bigger breed will become a senior
The injuries a dog can sustain are mostly comparable with people’s injuries, because we are built in a similar way to dogs; unfortunately, soft-tissue damage and bone damage are common for each. Of course most people can report what has happened and what hurts, because we are good communicators; this
Dog shoes, boots (booties), socks and other protectors are all types of dog paw-wear. Sometimes designed only for improved grip on slippery surfaces, in other cases they are designed to protect your dog’s paws as well. What are the other differences between all these then? Dog shoes or booties/boots: These
What is your dog thinking? You own your dog, but he is sat on your foot and so he owns you. Is that really so? It’s a different way of thinking, but there is a way into your dog’s mind. Your family (and other animals) are part of your dog’s
Introduction Leading on from my previous article on cruciate ligament damage in dogs (click here), presented in this article is an idea to help with joint damage-prevention and final recovery: dog strength training. This is just a brilliant idea, especially for breeds that are known to be more vulnerable to
Dog’s eyes are similar to our eyes, and they can succumb to similar diseases and damage as ours too. One clear difference between dog’s eyes and our own is that dogs have an extra eyelid – an inner one. You’ll see this sometimes when your dog is asleep – a
What is arthritis? Arthritis in our dogs is a painful and usually progressive debilitating condition that can be present in any bone joint. The name Arthritis comes from: athr- (meaning joint) and -itis (meaning inflammation). Arthritis can produce stiffness, joint pain in dogs, and a limited range of motion because
Diet from day one Dogs have evolved as scavengers, hunters and opportunistic eaters. Their digestive systems are more robust than ours, in part because canine stomachs contain far more aggressive acids to effectively deal with tough foods and harmful pathogens. It has been found that as long ago as 7000
Domestic dogs are considered to be ‘companion’ animals; they commonly keep us company for much of the time – in our home, at least. Many dogs work for us, and different societies have different ways of living with dogs; not all dogs are kept as pets and certainly not all
Why do our dogs need life jackets? Well, your dog may be a great swimmer, but not all dogs are water-babies; some dog breeds just don’t do well in the water! If your dog has a larger chest, short legs, large heads or a short muzzle (being brachycephalic) then they
Both arthritis and cancer are emotive subjects and a line is still drawn between conventional veterinary medicine and complementary or alternative treatments. Fortunately, many vets are happy to explore complementary and alternative remedies alongside conventional treatment. However, it may be some time yet in the UK before many nutraceuticals are
