American dogs, like American people, are gaining more and more excess weight. They may live contentedly with their owners, but a lot of dogs are less active than they should be and eat less appropriate diets than dogs did only 10 to 20 years ago. We see more illness, more vet bills and dogs with much shorter life spans as well. Some dog owners have started their pets on diets that are tailored to meet their pet's special dietary needs. First, the owner must research what the ideal food is for meals, snacks and treats.

Some dog owners have started to use their own dog information to help them make their own food and treats for their dog. This has to be done very carefully, since learning how to make your own dog food can actually hurt your dog if you do not make it correctly. Your dog may not be able to digest certain meats or fats, for instance. There are also some foods that can harm your dog, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, bread dough and anything that contains mold.

If you are a loving pet owner, your dog's health is extremely important to you. You will notice things in their behavior before anyone else, almost like one of your children. Keeping a close eye on changes and determining if they are acting abnormal can quickly pinpoint key health symptoms. Having some, basic knowledge of common illnesses will let you know more quickly if a trip to the veterinarian is in order.

Dog arthritis can be caused by injury, congenital defects, or aging. Surprisingly, injury is a major cause of arthritis in dogs, and therefore affects many younger dogs. Quite minor injuries can result in the condition. A predisposition to conditions such as hip dysplasia can cause early onset of an arthritic condition in dogs. Older dogs who have never suffered an injury are likely to develop arthritis as they age.

When people buy a dog, he usually becomes much more than just an animal that walks around. He becomes a best friend, a trusting companion, and a protector of the home. When your dog isn't feeling well, the last thing you want is to think that there is something seriously wrong with him. Since many of us don't have enough in-depth knowledge when it comes to dogs, a trip to the veterinarian's office is the best place to go for a dog health diagnosis.

Worm infestation is a common ailment in dogs. Worms are parasites that live inside of your dog and all cause different problems. It all depends upon the kind of worm your pet has. There are generally five major worm types: roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms and the heartworm. These worms can cause light to severe complications and must be treated. Let's take a look at the different types of parasites and what each one does.

In the event that your dog has a heart murmur, it indicates an abnormal amount of blood flow within the heart of your canine. This can be due to a change in your dog's heart valves and their function or a number of other possible causes. There may be an abnormal communication better the left and the right side of your pup's heart and this can lead to your dog having a heart murmur.

There may be a variety of reasons for this. They may either be acquired or congenital. This usually means that the heart was affected after your pooch was born due to disease or age. There are two types of heart murmurs in dogs. The first is what is called a benign heart murmur and does not concern your dog's health. On the other hand, it may be a serious heart murmur which may indicate congestive heart failure in dogs.