5 Health Issues That Threaten Modern Dogs

If you’re like most people, your dog is a part of your family and lives, to a large extent, exactly as you do. This integration into modern life has led to a number of health problems for modern dogs that they wouldn’t ordinarily experience if they lived in the wild.

You can ensure your dog’s continued good health by understanding the unique problems of their modern day life.

Here are 5 issues that modern dogs encounter their ancestors didn’t have to face.

Obesity

Canine obesity can occur because of the constant availability of food in their dishes or from too many dog treats that loving pet owners provide.

In addition, dogs may also have opportunities to steal a taste of human food on a regular basis, which can add more calories to their diets.

Also as with people, obesity can lead to a number of health problems.

If your dog is overweight, talk to your veterinarian about low-calorie dog foods, limit the number of treats and prevent your dog from getting into human food.

Tooth Decay

Modern dogs may experience more tooth decay than their ancestors because they are often given treats that contain sugar.

Although this makes for a tasty offering, these treats can increase the risk of tooth problems that may require veterinary care.

Skin Problems

Many more dogs are troubled with skin problems than have been seen in previous times, mainly because these animals are more exposed to a variety of cleaners, pesticides, and other chemicals that can cause reactions.

If your dog has sensitive skin, use natural compounds, such as vinegar or ammonia for cleaning floors and other articles that your dog may touch.

A variety of “green” cleaners are now on the market that can help prevent irritation to canine skin.

Stomach Upsets

Picking through the garbage is a favorite activity of canines, which often results in stomach distress, vomiting, and diarrhea.

You can avoid these problems if you utilize a “pet-resistant” trash container in your home.

There are a number of different models available that will keep your dog from overindulging in foods that cause gastrointestinal problems.

Fights with Other Animals

Modern dogs do not get the “pack experience” and may have difficulty reading the signals that can prevent them from getting into conflicts unknowingly.

This problem can frequently occur at dog parks or other areas where dogs congregate.

It’s also true that modern dogs may not come into contact with raccoons or other animals that sometimes act aggressively.

Dog owners must carefully monitor their animals when outside of the home to avoid these encounters that can result in serious wounds or broken bones.

Dogs have been brilliant in their ability to adapt to modern life, alongside their human companions.

However, this adaptability has not come without a price.

You can help your dog lives a long, healthy, and safe life by providing the supervision he or she needs, along with regular veterinary care.