If you’re a dog owner, you’re familiar with the unconditional love and joy that you get from your companion. As with humans, dogs can also suffer from various health issues. Knowing the common health issues that can affect your dog will help you take better care of them and ensure they lead a happy, healthy life. So in this article, we’re gonna talk about 10 of the most common health problems in dogs and ways that you can be proactive about your pet’s health. We all want our dogs to live as long as possible, so being aware of these conditions can help you be more educated as a pet parent.
Osteoarthritis, or more commonly referred to as arthritis, is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not just a disease of aging. We can even see it in young dogs. It can affect up to 80% of dogs over eight years old and potentially up to 35% of dogs of all ages. Arthritis can also be caused by previous traumas or genetics. Things like physical therapy, oral medications, and even supplements have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.
2. Obesity
Another common health problem in dogs is obesity. Nearly 60% of dogs are overweight or obese, and this is a really big problem because obesity increases the risk of certain other diseases, including some cancers, arthritis, diabetes, and potentially heart problems. The good thing about this problem is that obesity is one of the easiest things to address. Take them on daily walks, play with them in your backyard, and get creative with their exercise routine. It’s good to keep things fresh and exciting for them. For a lot of pet parents, it can be really hard to tell if their dog is actually overweight. So make sure you check with your veterinarian.
3. Dental Disease
Here’s another big number: 80% of dogs will have some form of dental disease by the time they’re just two years old. Dental disease in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors, but the best thing you can do is brush your dog’s teeth every single day. Don’t skip your dog’s veterinary dental cleanings so they can check out everything that’s going on above and below the gum line.
4. Allergies
The next common health problem for us to talk about is allergies. Many experts believe that up to 20% of all dogs will develop some kind of allergy during their lifetime. This could be a food allergy, an environmental allergy, or even a seasonal allergy. You’ll often see things like scratching, itching, watering of the eyes, or licking at the paws if your dog is suffering from some kind of allergy.
Just like in people, while allergies can’t be cured, we do have tools to alleviate some of the symptoms. Allergy Chews contain a variety of ingredients that help support immune health, but it’s important to nail down the root cause of your dog’s allergy symptoms. For a proper diagnosis, you should consult a veterinarian.
5. Skin Infections
Next, let’s talk about skin conditions. If you notice that your dog’s skin is red and irritated, with maybe some hair loss or scabbing, then there’s a good chance they have a skin infection. These can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most important thing you can do is keep the area clean and dry and prevent your dog from scratching or licking at it more. In these cases, I recommend putting a cone on your dog right away and making an appointment to see your veterinarian.
6. Ear Infections
On a similar note, ear infections are another really common condition in dogs. As many as 20% of dogs struggle with issues with their ears. Ear infections are not exclusive to floppy-eared dogs like golden retrievers. They can also occur in other breeds due to the shape of their ear canal. This is why it’s really important for pet parents to keep their dog’s ears clean and dry. If you notice that your dog is shaking their head a lot or you notice a foul odor coming from their ears, it’s probably time to take them to the vet.
7. Parasites
Next up, let’s talk about parasites. Some of the most common parasites that we see in dogs are tapeworms, fleas, and ticks. There are many ways and places where your dog can pick up a parasite, so we always recommend parasite-prevention medication. This is especially important for those of you who are always taking your dogs on hikes or to the dog park where they’re around a lot of other dogs.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite that we commonly diagnose in dogs. This is especially important for puppies who love to explore the world with their mouths, and their immune systems are not very strong at that point. Researchers have found that more than a fifth of dogs at dog parks were shedding parasites.
8. Benign Tumors
Believe it or not, benign fatty tumors are actually really common in dogs, especially in older ones. Unlike malignant tumors, these benign fatty tumors are unlikely to cause any serious problems. Especially as your dog gets older, it’s really important to examine their skin and body to check for any lumps and bumps and get them to the vet to have them checked out.
9. Urinary Tract Infections
Another common condition we see in dogs is urinary tract infections. Bacterial UTIs affect 14% of all dogs throughout their lifetime. A telltale sign of a UTI is your dog wanting to urinate more frequently but in smaller amounts. In these cases, you may also see some blood in your dog’s urine. This can be a pretty serious condition, so you want to make sure you bring your dog to the veterinarian and ensure they don’t have any bladder stones or crystals in their urine.
10. Soft Tissue Injuries
The last super common condition that I see is soft tissue injuries. Cranial cruciate ligament tears, which are very similar to ACL tears in humans, make up 85% of all dog orthopedic surgeries every year. It just takes one bad jump off the couch for your dog to tear their CCL. Once one of their legs has this injury, there’s a good chance they may tear the one on the other side at some point.
It’s also very common for dogs to pull a muscle or sprain a joint, especially if they’re highly active and running around a lot. Be mindful if your dog likes to jump in and out of the car, up and down stairs, or play games of fetch or Frisbee. These are common activities where they can get these types of injuries. These injuries can be really difficult for dogs because the recovery time can take several months.
If you’re a pet parent, there’s a pretty good chance your dog has experienced one or more of these issues. The good news is that if you’re proactive about your dog’s care, you can minimize the risk of them getting these common issues. Things like taking them to the vet, grooming, and teeth cleaning, and feeding them good quality nutrition are all good places to start. If your dog is prone to any of these conditions because of their breed or lifestyle, consider giving them supplements to support their health. Even if your dog is healthy now, it’s great to be proactive to try to prevent these conditions as they age.
