Good Canine Health: Symptoms of good canine, coat, eye, ear, and dental health
Maybe it’s because their lives are so short compared to ours but dogs can certainly teach us a thing or two about living life to its fullest.
Healthy dogs are naturally enthusiastic, full of energy, and eager to please. They love spending time in the company of humans and are always ready for a game or a walk.
They are also creatures of habit and respond to our actions in predictable ways. When you live with a dog you soon pick up on his little quirks and ways. It also becomes easy to pick up any deviation from the norm, which may indicate a canine health issue.
Reluctance to play or walk, refusing to eat, slowness of movement are all signs of potential problems and should be referred to a vet.
As well as observing your dog’s behavior you should be on the look out for any indications of ill health.
Good canine health means that eyes, ears, mouth and nose should be free from any odor or discharge. The coat should be shiny, without excessive hair loss and free from parasites. Movement, breathing, appetite, and toilet habits should all be normal.
Here’s a quick canine health checklist for you to follow as you go through your grooming routines.
Skin & Coat
- Shiny, clean and even
- No oiliness or dandruff
- Free of parasites
- No sores, rashes or bald spots
- No bad odors
Eyes
- Bright and clean
- Free of any discharge
- No redness or squinting
- No bad odors
Ears
- Inside of the ears pink and clean
- Free of dirt and ear wax
- No sign of parasites like ear mites
- No discharge or bad odors
Mouth
- Teeth should be white
- Gums and tongue should be pink (mottled black in some dogs)
- No sign of plaque or tartar
- No sign of bleeding from the gums
- No sores or abscesses in the mouth
- No bad breath
Paws
- Pads should be free of cuts and burns
- Nails should be short and free from breaks
- There should be no thorns or burrs caught in the fur
- No twigs, thorns or other debris caught between the toes
Anal Region
- Clean and clear of discharge
- No signs of inflammation
- No lumpy growths or dried faeces
General Signs of Good Health
- Coat shiny and clean
- Good movement and energy levels
- Good appetite and normal and water consumption
- Normal bowel and bladder movements
- No compulsive scratching or licking
- No bad odors from mouth, eyes, ears or coat
Keep this list at hand as you go through your daily and weekly routines. Report any concerns to your vet, and you’ll ensure good canine health in your dog.
