The Healthy Dog Blog

Few people want to grow old. After all, aging isn’t just getting a little wiser. It’s aching joints and a decline of health – but it happens to us all; it’s inevitable, right? Recent research examining the science of aging is putting that hypothesis to the test. In particular, the dog aging project hopes to understand how “genes, lifestyle, and environment influence aging.” We often talk about “dog years”, which are roughly equivalent to the dog’s human age times seven. So, a 2-year-old puppy is like a 14-year-old child. But aging is a vastly more complicated process. Despite living such...

When it comes to dog food, there's no shortage of options on the market. So how do you know what kind of food is best for your pet? One thing's for sure: dogs are carnivores and need meat in their diet. Lamb is a tasty option that's also high in protein. But should you feed lamb as part of your dog's daily diet? Or is it better as an occasional treat? I talked to my local vet to find out more about whether lamb and other animal products are safe for dogs, plus her advice on feeding your pet a...

If your dog has diabetes, you know that their diet is a very important part of their health. While the right diet isn't a cure, it can help your pet feel better and live longer. In this post, we'll go over the ingredients you should look for in diabetic dog food. A Diabetes-Friendly Diet The most important thing to remember is that your dog's dietary needs will depend on their individual condition. The diet and ingredients recommended for an older diabetic dog with kidney disease may not be the same as those recommended for a younger diabetic puppy with insulin...

Background Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a small organ tucked behind the stomach. It plays a big role in digestion, and it also secretes insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar. When your dog’s pancreas becomes inflamed, “a lot of nasty stuff can happen,” says Dr. Jennifer Lighter of New York’s Animal Medical Center. The organ gets swollen and stops working properly — or sometimes it starts working too hard. Bacteria and digestive enzymes can leak into the body and cause serious problems including organ failure and shock. In severe cases it can lead to death. So how do...

Urinary tract infections in dogs are not only uncomfortable for your dog, they can be dangerous if left untreated. If your dog has a UTI, you need to learn everything you can about the symptoms and causes of dog urinary tract infections so that you can treat it quickly and effectively. Here's what you need to know. Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs Urinary tract infections are the most common disease in dogs, affecting more than half of all female dogs and 10 percent of male dogs. Bacteria can travel from the rectum or vagina to the bladder, creating an infection...