Top 11 Questions About Caring For Your Puppy During the Pandemic

Although COVID-19 does not affect pets such as dogs and cats, it is very important that they receive special attention during this period. Even though veterinary pharmacies remain open and dog walking is still possible, it would be advisable to know the main health problems and needs our companions have, so that we can take the necessary measures.

Dogs, especially small ones, depend on your care, and to ensure they remain healthy and cheerful during this period, and after it ends, you need to know a series of information about them and the problems they might face.

Below, we present the most popular questions related to dog health and care and provide answers to each of them.

• Digestive problems in dogs
• Unusual behavior in dogs
• Irritations in dogs
• Dog weight problems
• Tips for dog care

Digestive problems in dogs

Digestive problems in dogs are quite common, but very easy to identify. However, it is important to pinpoint their cause to help your dog return to normal. Here are the most common digestive problems that dog owners have identified in their animals.

Why does the dog vomit?

When a puppy experiences vomiting, the causes can be related to a sudden stomach overload, intolerance to certain foods, consumption of spoiled food, or ingestion of toxic substances. Depending on the case, vomiting can also be caused by parasites formed in the digestive tract or by infestation with various viruses, bacteria, or stomach ulcers.

In most cases, this problem resolves on its own, but if the condition persists for more than 24 hours, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended. After this situation passes, the dog can be fed again, but in moderate quantities.

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Why does the dog have diarrhea?

Diarrhea in dogs is another common problem, usually with the same causes as vomiting. It occurs when the dog has consumed spoiled food or eaten too much, when it is subjected to a sudden diet change it has not yet adapted to, or when it has an intolerance to certain products. Additionally, diarrhea can also be caused by parasites, ingestion of toxic substances, or certain bacterial infections. In some cases, the phenomenon is also caused by stress or certain emotional disturbances that the animal experiences.

As with vomiting, if diarrhea does not persist for more than a day, it is not a cause for concern, but if this condition prolongs, a visit to the veterinarian's office is necessary.

Unusual behavior in dogs

In some cases, health problems in dogs cannot be identified through clinical symptoms, but rather through their behavior. Here are the most common questions regarding dog behavior problems.

Why does the dog have no appetite/stop eating?

Loss of appetite in dogs can be just a problem that will resolve on its own, but, depending on the case, it can hide certain conditions that require a specialist's attention. Most often, dogs have a decreased appetite shortly after being vaccinated, when they are in an unfamiliar environment, or simply have received too many treats between meals, which encourages them to become picky.

For all the causes listed above, the problem will resolve on its own, but when the dog is not eating due to dental problems, infections present in the body, or a digestive disorder, the lack of appetite will persist, and then you will know that it is necessary to take the animal to the vet.

Why does my dog eat grass?

If you notice that your animal eats grass, but does not seem to feel sick and does not vomit, then there is no cause for concern. However, if the dog consumes a large amount of grass, and after that seems sick or shows a visible state of discomfort, it may be an anxiety disorder it is facing, and you will need to go to the veterinarian to have plant-based supplements or anti-stress medications recommended.

Also, a balanced diet rich in nutrients is needed so that the animal no longer feels the need to eat grass.

Why does the dog have a dry nose?

Normally, a dog's nose should always be moist. If its nose is dry, it means the pet is dehydrated and needs its water bowl to be full. If the dog refuses to drink water, it means the container has a specific smell and needs to be cleaned.

However, a dry nose in dogs is not only caused by dehydration, but also by cold weather, respiratory infections, or various allergies. Normally, this problem will resolve on its own, but if it persists and is accompanied by symptoms such as sneezing or eventual infections, it will be necessary to take it to the veterinarian.

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Irritations in dogs

From time to time, every dog experiences skin irritation, sometimes visible, sometimes only noticeable through the animal's behavior. Below we discuss the most common questions related to this problem.

Why does the dog scratch?

Scratching is a common behavior in any dog, but when this habit manifests excessively, it means it hides a problem. The most common causes of scratching are: various allergies, infections, skin fungi, dry skin, parasites, or even boredom.

Depending on each specific problem, the most effective treatments for combating this problem are: deworming, diet change, medication prescribed by the vet, or preventing obsessive-compulsive behavior manifested by the dog.

Why does my dog itch?

Skin diseases in dogs are quite common, and if you notice irritations or purulent bumps on their skin surface, it is necessary to take action, as the problem most likely will not resolve on its own. This is most often caused by flea bites, bacterial or fungal infections.

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If you cannot discover the cause of your dog's itching, it's time to adopt a set of specific measures. These include: proper hygiene, identifying foods to which the dog is allergic and removing them from its menu, and frequent monitoring of its skin health. If the problem persists, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended, who will perform an allergy test and recommend food supplements rich in vitamins for the dog.

Dog weight problems

There are times when you notice that your pet has rapidly gained weight or suddenly lost weight. In both cases, it's time to take action and respond accordingly.

What do I do when my dog is overweight?

Obesity is a problem encountered in more and more dogs, and the causative factors are both hereditary and generated by excessive feeding of the animal. If rapid measures are not taken, obesity in dogs can lead to serious conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract disease, arthritis, heart failure, or liver problems.

Although dangerous for the dog's health, obesity can be combated simply, through proper and controlled feeding of your animal. Establish a fixed daily portion, feed it according to a well-established schedule, and avoid treats between meals, at least until your companion loses some weight.

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How do I help the dog gain weight?

A well-fed dog that loses weight may be facing certain health problems that prevent it from properly assimilating food. If the loss of body mass occurred suddenly, the animal may be suffering from parasites, in which case a deworming treatment should be started, according to the veterinarian's instructions.

To gain weight again, the dog will need a fattening regimen, which must be implemented gradually. The stomach of a thin dog is reduced, and therefore, its diet must consist of small portions of food, served throughout the day. As it gains weight, the portions can be increased. It is very important that the dog's diet does not lack vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, because only then will it reach an optimal weight in a healthy way.

Tips for dog care

Dog care is an aspect you should consider even during this period, to ensure it remains healthy and maintains its discipline. Here are the most common questions about dog care:

How to groom dogs at home?

If you used to take your dog to a dog groomer, this is no longer possible during this period, and therefore, you will need to groom it at home. To do this, you will need clippers, scissors, a simple comb, and preferably a grooming table. Before grooming, you should bathe your dog and brush its fur thoroughly to detect any mats.

Dry it well, then start clipping the fur with the machine, in the direction of hair growth. Try to cover the entire surface of the fur, but if the hair on certain areas is too short or difficult to reach with the machine, there is no need to insist. Use the comb to highlight any excess or unsightly hair, then cut it with scissors. After grooming the dog, brush it again and observe if the trim is even.

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How do I train my dog at home?

Although most dog training exercises are done outdoors, it is possible to train your dog at home without dedicating too much time to this activity. Generally, dog training should begin before it turns one year old, because at that age it is more receptive and will learn commands more easily.

When training your dog at home, you can teach it the following commands:

• "Stay" command - is very easy for a dog to learn and can be useful when you are feeding it, putting on its leash, or grooming it. If repeated often enough and accompanied by rewards, the command will be learned quickly;
• Emergency recall - to practice this command at home, you need to step out of the dog's visual range and call it, using an immediate execution phrase, such as "Come now!" said firmly. This command is useful when the dog is about to stray too far from you or when it might run in front of a car;
• "Leave it" command - is another useful command, with the help of which you tell the dog to drop whatever it is holding in its mouth. It can be used when the dog decides to use your shoes as toys or when it has a ball in its mouth that it won't let go of.

Take care of your dog's health and make sure it lacks nothing during this period. Pay close attention to every symptom it shows and take timely measures to solve the problem. Only then will you ensure that your pet remains healthy and cheerful and that you can enjoy outdoor excursions together when it becomes possible again.

Photo Source: Shutterstock

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