Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, especially when your dog’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Heart attack, near drowning or electric shock are few of the occasions when a dog may require CPR. Unlike humans, the resuscitation is done only through the nose but mouth, and the CPR is only performed on unconscious animal to avoid the risk of being beaten.

CPR alone is unlikely to revive the heart. Its main purpose is to restore partial flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. Its objective is to delay tissue death and to extend the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage.

Common CPR technique for dogs

Check for breathing and a heartbeat

Confirm if your pet is breathing or check their heartbeat. If they aren’t breathing or there is no sign of heartbeat, then immediately begin CPR with chest compression.

Give chest compression

CPR for Dogs below 30 Pounds (14 kg)

For cats, small dogs and deep chested dogs, place the heel of one of your hands directly over the pet’s heart and place your other hand directly over the first hand.

Compress the chest for one inch to one-quarter or one-third the width of the chest for a count of one and then let go for a count of one. Carry on at a rate of 100 compressions in a minute.

CPR for Dogs above 30 Pounds (14 kg)

Without bending both the elbows, press the rib cage in a downward motion.

Compress the chest for one-quarter to one-third the width of the chest for a count of one and then let go for a count of one. Carry on at a rate of 80 compressions per minute.

Make sure the chest comes back fully (recoils) before compressing again.

Give resuscitation

To provide resuscitation, gently close the dog’s mouth and extend the neck to open the airway. Cover their nose with your mouth and exhale until you see their chest rising. Give a second rescue breath.

Continue CPR

Continue giving CPR with a cycle of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until your dog begins breathing again on its own.

Check again for breathing and a heartbeat

Briefly check for breathing and a heartbeat every 2 minutes.

If your dog doesn’t show any sign of improvement after 10 minutes, you can stop the procedure as it hasn’t proven successful.

Although it’s uncommon among canines, coughing up hairball can sometimes be a problem for dogs with medium to long fur. It is mostly attributed to self-grooming, however, there other reasons for the dogs to ingest its own hair.

Unlike dogs, felines or cats have a major problem of vomiting hairballs frequently as they are more susceptible to self-grooming and cleanliness causing ingestion of huge amount of hair.

What is hairball?

Known as tricholith or trichobezoar, hairball is the accumulated animal hair or fur that surrounds a non-digestible item generally stuck inside the stomach of the animal. It is generally accumulated when the hair doesn’t pass through feces and is stuck in the intestine.

The hairball is generally shaped rounded, tubular or spherical, depending on amount ingested. It can be wet and soggy mass or a dry one too.

Why do dogs cough up hairballs?

Typically, a dog who inadvertently swallows his own hair or fur in the process of self-grooming will pass any stray hairs in his feces. As they don’t often groom themselves like cats, ingestion of hair is least common among most dogs.

Hairball formation has a kind of snowball effect; once a hairball begins to form, the more hair a dog ingests, the larger it becomes. Once a hairball is large enough, physical discomfort may compel them to vomit it out.

Self-grooming

Self-grooming is the major cause of hair ingestion. The licking of own fur can sometimes lead to ingestion of hair and causes to accumulate inside the bowel.

Fur Shedding

Fur shedding can be other major reason for hair ingestion. There is fur shedding season for dogs which can cause them to ingest more hair than often.

Wound, Tick-bite or Allergy

Sometimes, wound or tick-bite can cause dogs to lick their hair more often. This can lead to ingestion of more amount of hair which isn’t easily passable through the bowel.

Eating prey

Some dogs with prey instincts tend to eat up the whole animal with feather and furs. Since hair is indigestible, it will remain inside their stomach and accumulate over the time.

How to prevent it?

There are many ways to prevent dogs from swallowing their own hair. First, let’s look at the symptoms of hairball problems.

Symptoms

• Repeated attempts to cough or vomit
• Dry heaving
• Constipation
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Gagging
• Diarrhea
• A bloated stomach, in more serious cases

The possible prevention methods for hairball ingestion are;

Go to Vet

See you veterinarian to assess if your pet has any skin allergy or parasitic infestation. If it isn’t skin allergy or parasitic infestation, the vet may refer laxative or dietary changes.

Hydration

A well-hydrated dog experiences efficient bowel movements.

Grooming

Grooming is essential to keep pet skin cleaner. It prevents excessive licking of fur which may cause hair fall.

Playtime

Dogs which are more preoccupied with boredom may start chewing or licking themselves simply to pass the time. This may cause hair ingestion, hence, you need to keep your dog occupied with enough fun time.

Learn more about pet care and grooming.

Bathing your dog is essential to keep it clean and hygienic or parasite free. The pets enjoy an entirely different lifestyle than us humans, hence, their hygiene may vastly differ. Dogs tend to keep themselves cleaner by licking themselves or by removing toxins from skin through perspiration, however, this may not prove to be hygienic for the owners.

The type of bath and how often may depend on various factors. It is essential that you consult with the Veterinarian or the pet shop owner with whom you bought your dog before indulging in any particular bathing practice.

What is the nature of your dog?

Dogs who spent more time outside the house may need frequent bath than the one staying inside the house. Most dogs tend to just sit on the couch in a room all day.

If a dog play outside in mud and soil, it may need regular wash with soap and brush. These dogs have tendency to carry alien parasites if not cleaned properly and can contaminate entire house indoors.

What type of coat does your dog has?

Bathing once a month works with almost all the dog, however,

• Dogs with oily coat like Basset Hounds may need a weekly wash.
• Dogs with short hair, like; Beagles and Weimaraners, may need less frequent baths.
• Dogs with water-repellant coats, like; Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees may need less baths so as to preserve their natural skin oil.
• Dogs with thick, double coat such as Samoyeds, Malamutes and other northern breeds may need fewer baths and lot of scrubbing to get the dirt off their skin.

Does your dog have any skin related or dermatological condition?

As stated before, dogs with short fur and thin coat may need lesser bathe than the rest, however, the skin condition may remain a useful factor in deciding how often to bathe your dog.

Dogs with acute allergies, excess hair loss, bald or dry patches, lumps and bumps need special care. You must consult your veterinarian and only bathe with certain products or at a time prescribed by the expert.

In most cases, wrong shampoo or frequent baths can cause skin related problems. This can be eradicated by consulting with the Vet or when you first catch the sign of any problem.

What bathing products to use?

Soaps and shampoo used by humans mustn’t be used for dogs. Human skin has pH level of 5 while dogs have pH level of 7. The shampoo used by humans are more acidic in nature, which if used on dogs can cause irritation or skin rashes.

Bathing product must have a pH value that is especially formulated for a dog's delicate skin, between 6.5 to 7.5.

The Vets can recommend the right shampoo and technique of bathing to prevent any problem in the future. You should always stick to quality dog related bathing products.

How to bathe your Dog?

The process of bathing your dog is simpler. Here are few factors to remember,

Brush them before bath

It is essential to brush your dog before bath to prevent matted hair which soaks up lot of water and can cause irritations later.

Use lukewarm water

Do not use hot or warm water to bathe your dog, as they have sensitive skin. Hot water can burn the skin easily. Using cooler water for the most larger breed dogs is recommended as they tend to easily overheat.

Use dog shampoo

You must always use dog shampoo and products. The dog shampoo specifically comes with ph level of above 6 and up to 7.5 which is recommended for their skin. Shampoo with lesser pH level are acidic and can cause skin irritations.

Rinse well

You must rinse them well after bath to soak up the water. Water left in the ear or sensitive areas can cause irritation later.

Air-dry

Using natural air-dry or dryer specifically for dogs is essential to keep their fur in healthy condition.

Reward your dog

Do not forget to reward your dog after the bathe to encourage them to stay healthy and love occasional baths.

Check out Pet Grooming to learn more about your dog’s habits and grooming.

Unfortunately, Yes! Like Humans, pets are susceptible to cancer and other form skin related diseases. Many domesticated and wild animals suffer from some form of cancer too.

Skin tumors are the most common form of cancerous tumors found in Dogs.  However, if it’s caught during early onset, it can be treated effectively. The disease is generally classified into Benign and Malign cancers. The term ‘Benign’ is used for less harmful cancer tumors, while ‘Malign’ is used for harmful cancer tumors.

Dogs have certain sensitive areas in the body where there is less or none protection from hair, like nose and ears. Many dog breeds lack enough fur in their body making them more susceptible to skin related diseases. Too much unprotected sun exposure may cause cancer in dogs.

Photo © Dogs Naturally Magazine

Dog melanomas and mast cell tumors are two major types of cancer found in dogs. These are fatal and life-threatening if left treated.

Six Common Types of Cancer in Pets

Malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer in dogs that affects pigmented cells known as melanocytes. This tendency is common in humans too. Dogs often develop tumors in pigmented cells that do not metastasize (spread to other parts), which are called melanocytomas.

It mostly occurs in the empty spots, however, some may develop in the body part with hair too. Experts believe that it is mostly a Genetic factor which causes the development of melanoma.

Compulsive licking and unhealthy lifestyle must be prevented in the pets to stop spreading the cells to other body parts.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a rare form of skin cancer prevalent in dogs. Pets with light-skin or hairless body are akin to this type of cancer. Dalmatians, Keeshonds, Standard Schnauzers, Basset Hounds, Collies, Bull Terriers and Beagles are few breeds mostly affected by it. Most squamous cell carcinomas appear as firm and raised or often ulcerated plaques and nodules.

As reported by PetMD.com, “Tumors can often grow outward into large masses and have a surface that resembles a wart. Treatment includes surgery to remove the primary tumor. Incompletely excised tumors should be treated with radiation therapy to prevent regrowth. These tumors infrequently spread to local lymph nodes and the lungs.”

Mast cell tumor

Mast cells tumor generally occur through allergic reactions. The immune cells contain chemicals or granules that are released upon stimulation by an allergen. These cells are located throughout the body and within the skin. This is a more slow-growing cancer in dogs, however, more aggressive mast cell tumors grow faster and may ulcerate.

Mast cell tumors are mostly found in Boxers, Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Pugs, Shar Peis, and Bulldogs.

As reported by Pets.WebMD.com, “Mast cell tumors most commonly occur on the trunk of the body, though they are found on the legs about 25% of the time.”

Melanomas

Melanomas or Benign melanoma in pets are less harmful. It occurs frequently in dogs with dark pigmented skin. Malignant melanoma is a type of Melanomas which is more aggressive. These tumors are usually solitary and appear as small brown/black masses. They can also appear as large, flat, or wrinkled tumors.

As reported by PetMD.com, “Most melanoma tumors are diagnosed after they are removed. Fine needle aspirates can be done on such tumors; however, they are less likely to exfoliate (distribute into the syringe during aspiration), so the sample obtained in this manner might not be diagnostic.”

Hair Follicle Tumor

Most hair follicle tumors are benign or less harmful and can be cured with surgical removal. They develop as a result of the disordered growth of the hair follicles in dogs. Malignant hair follicle tumors need special care and treatments.

Epitheliotropic lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of blood-borne cancer of lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are found throughout the body, including the skin, where they offer protection against various pathogens that this organ can come into contact with.

According to PetMD.com, “While technically not a skin tumor, another common cancer that occurs in the superficial layers of the skin is Epitheliotropic lymphoma.”

There can be several forms of lymphoma in dogs. Epitheliotropic lymphoma occurs mostly on skin. Chemotherapy is a common form of treatment.

It is important that you provide proper care, diet and environment to your dog. Each breed of dog may have specific conditions, hence, you must consult your vet for medical guidance. To ensure that your pet is safe, get it checked from a reliable veterinarian today.

The mixed breed makes over 50% of all the canines found in United States and over 15 million around the world. According to HelpaMutt.com, almost 75% of all the canines who land up in animal shelters are mutts. Pet owners are preconceived with many misconceptions about mixed breeds, which makes them choose a pure bred over the other.

Also known as National Mixed Breed Dog Day, Mutt Day is celebrated to raise the awareness about Mutts’ plight in the animal shelters. It also highlights the important fact, potential pet owners should choose personality over the purity of the canine.

National Mutt Day was first organized in 2005 by pet expert and animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige. She instituted not just one but two different dates for the Mutts’ Day, July 31 and Dec 2, to achieve her goal of getting 10,000 shelter dogs into loving homes and among pet owners.

The Mutt Day campaign mostly works for eliminating the misconceptions about mutts and help save dogs from landing up in shelters.

Benefits of Choosing Mutts

• Mutts tend to have longer life than pure bred
• Mutts are generally healthier and tend to be immune to many breed-specific diseases.
• Every mutt has variety of coat and patterns, hence none of the mutts are alike. The mutt you choose will have unique features among all the available canine.
• Every mutt adopted from shelter means one less dog from the street.
• When pet owners choose mutts over pure bred, it will discourage the unnatural dog breeding in puppy farms.
• It helps to eliminate the prevalent status quo among most upper and upper-middle class pet owners.

As reported by American Kennel Club, Labrador Retriever remains the most popular choice among the pet owners for a pure breed, while German Shepherd makes up the most popular owned breed as both a pure breed and as a component of mixed breed.

The most popular mutts available in United States today are;

Tapeworms are flat, white worms that attach themselves to the wall of gut using hook-like suckers. They feed there and grow. They typically settle in the small intestine and can grow from 4 to 8 inches. Medical name for tapeworm infestation is 'Cestodiasis'. Tapeworm species that infect dogs are mainly Taenia, Diphylidium Caninum, Echinococcus and Mesocestoides. 

Cause

The primary reason of tapeworm infestation is the ingestion of immediate hosts containing larvae. Tapeworm eggs can also be transmitted through adult fleas. Our pets are fond of scavenging, which can result to tapeworm infestation. It can also be transmitted via other animals, such as rabbit and birds. 

Symptoms

Sometimes tapeworm breaks into segments and passes into the intestine. These come out with feces as dried, white to cream colored segments of tapeworms. Some of the segments might also be seen in the fur under the tail.

Some break off into small pieces that are hard to see. Some of these resemble to sesame or cucumber seeds in size and appearance. 

Pets bite or lick the anus and scoot in response to itching. 

Tapeworms, sporadically makes pets vomit. Long, 4 to 8 inch, worms can be seen in their vomit. 

Pets also lose weight in case of heavy infection.

Diagnosis

Veterinarians look for segments of tapeworms crawling on dog's body, specially under the fur. They also examine dog's feces for segments or eggs of tapeworms, under a microscope. Not every time the segments come out in feces, so several sample might be needed for examination.

Treatment

If the veterinarian diagnoses tapeworm infestation, she will prescribe medication. Medication can be oral and/or injection. It is curable. 

Prevention

Control flea around your pet keeping your home and around clean. You can use flea spray, powder, collars, oral medication or topical liquid. 

Do not allow unsupervised roaming to your pet.

Be careful about other animals' company with your pet. 

Always cleanup after your pet, yard and park. 

It's a new information for many pet parents, but skin cancer is quite common in both dogs and cats. Skin cancers are basically the tumor on skin or subcutaneous tissue (the tissue under the skin). 60 to 80% of tumors in pets are benign, meaning, they are just appear on the body but doesn't affect by any mean. Lipomas (fatty tumors, sebaceous adenomas, papillomas (mole-like growth) are benign tumors. Melanomas, Squamous cell carcinoma and Mast cell tumor are most common malignant tumors in pets that require medical attention. 

Types of Cancer in Pets

There are number of cancers that have been diagnosed in dogs and cats, among which Melanomas, Squamous cell carcinoma and Mast cell tumor are most common and fatal. 

Melanomas

It affects pigmented cells known as melanocytes. This tumor grows fast and and spreads to other organs such as lungs and liver. It is more frequent in dogs but much less in cats. 

Signs and Symptoms

Benign melanomas vary in sizes ranging from very small to 2.5 inches in diameter. It appears in the area of skin covered with hair. It may be black, brown, gray or red in color. In orange cats, freckles on lips and gums can appear which is very normal and harmless. It is known as letingo simplex.

Malignant melanomas appear on the body parts where is less or no hair, such as mouth, lips, toenail pads and/or pads of the feet. It is more common in black dogs. 

Treatment

First procedure of melanomas treatment is surgery. If surgery is unable to remove the tumor, radiation therapy is applied. 70% times it is successful but recurrence is common. Depending on the severity of the tumor, chemotherapy is also used combining with surgery and/or radiation therapy. In case of oral melanoma, vaccination is a popular practice.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas

The tumor affects thinly furred skin. It doesn't spread but can be aggressive and may lead to destruction of tissue around the tumor. Though the cause of this cancer is still unknown, most of the times it is induced by exposure to the sun. That is why, the best preventive measure for this is to limit the exposure of your pets to the sun. 

All the pets are prone to this tumor, yet pets with short coats, especially with light skin are likely to develop it much faster. It typically appears on the dogs of age 6 to 10 years. 

Signs and Symptoms

This tumor is firm and raised with a wart-like appearance. It appears on abdomen, around genitals and feet. 

Treatment

Surgical measures are used to remove squamous cell carcinomas. Photodynamic therapy is used to cure this tumor in inoperable locations. Use of a drug called Piroxicam has proven effective in developing immune system within the body of the animal to fight back the tumor cells. 

Mast Cell Tumors

It occurs in the mast cell of the immune system. It is common in both cats and dogs. It sometimes disappears and returns back in few days. This can be confusing for pet parents to predict the disease. Although it is common in most of the breeds, Labrador retrievers, Boxers, Pugs and Golden retrievers are predisposed to develop this tumor. 

Signs and Symptoms

Mast cell tumors are slow growing, rubber-like tumor. It is unusual skin masses, specially raised, hairless pinkish-yellow masses. These appear on trunk but 25% times it is on the legs. Itching, swelling and redness occurs in unbearable amount. 

Treatment

Like other tumors, first attempt of cure is through surgery for mast cell tumors, too. That may include radiation or may be not. Depending on the severity of the case, surgery might be accompanied by chemotherapy and/or steroids.

Diagnosis

Veterinarians diagnose pet cancer using either of the two methods: biopsy or needle aspirate cytology. Biopsy involves removing of small amount of tissue from the tumor and testing. Whereas, in Needle aspirate cytology, a needle is used to remove a microscopic amount of cells from the tumor in order to examine cell structure. 

Cancer is curable in pets if promptly identified. Take your pets to the veterinarian as soon as you seen any sign of cancer, do not ignore any. If it not cancer then it is a good news, but if it is, your pet will be cured in early stages.

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease has become very common in human beings. Very few people know that animals also suffer from cardiovascular disease. Since there have been less research and studies in animal health, many of the reasons and cure for animal heart disease are still unknown. 

Statistics show that 10% of all dogs in US have heart disease. Sometimes it can be mild but most of the time it is deadly. It's more common in small breed dogs of over 5 years of age. 13% heart disease patients are suffering from heartworm disease.

Symptoms

No symptom is visible in the early stage of heart disease in dogs. The signs vary depending on the type of disease and severity. The dogs start experiencing fatigue and loss the willingness to play or even walk. Other symptoms include difficulty in breathing, trouble in sleeping and may start coughing. They tend to lose appetite and lose weight. Sometimes, there might be distended stomach. Eventually, heart disease progresses to congestive heart failure.

Prevention

Sadly, there is no prevention measures discovered yet for heart disease in dogs, except for heartworm disease. The tragic fact is that even though heartworm disease can be easily prevented, 13% of the heart patients suffer from this disease. The best preventive measure pet parent can adopt is to take their dog for whole body screening every year. This will definitely prevent heartworm disease. At the same time, other heart disease will also be diagnosed in it's early stage. Though there is not complete cure for heart disease, it can be reduced up to a level with medication. 

Diagnosis

It's mandatory to take the dog to a veterinarian to diagnose the heart disease. The vet will look for the abnormal sounds in his chest, such as murmurs or irregular rhythm. If something comes of on this, the dog is put on further tests, for instance, blood pressure, x-rays, cardiac ultrasound, ECG and like. The presence of heart disease is declared by the analysis of the reports. 

Cure

Like there is no prevention for heart disease in dogs, there's no cure for congestive heart failure (CHF). The medication can help the heart work better. Dogs with heart disease are treated in either of the two ways: Conventional therapy or Pimobendan. Which method to implement depends on the practice of the vet. A study, however, has shown that pimobendan cures the heart better than conventional therapy. 

The blossoms, soft wind and shiny day make us all cheerful and light. The summer has always been the time to try new things and add to our adventure memories together with the loved ones. When talking about loved ones, dogs come on the first line. We like their company as much they like ours. Summer is a very good time to celebrate this bond. There are a number of things you can do different this summer with your fur buddy. 

Swimming

It's hot and your pup loves water, what would be more fun than a swimming! If you have kids, fun is double. Take them to nearby pool where dogs are allowed. It can be one day thing or you can have this fun daily or according to your schedule. 

Caution

The water in the swimming pool can cause infection in your dog's ears. Be preventive about it and don't forget to clean it afterwards. If it stays, take him/her to your vet. Even when your dog knows how to swim, sometimes there's a risk of them falling into the pool and drowning. They panic in this situation which causes them to inhale water. So, be very attentive to them.

Dog Friendly Beach

Dogs are kids are attracted to movements, this is what makes them enjoy the back and forth of tide. If you live nearby a sea or a ocean, it's an fantastic idea to take your fur baby to the beach, of course, if it is dog friendly. Make them comfortable with the water and play with the tide together. Play with the sand.

Caution

It's possible to get dehydrated while playing with the water. Make sure to bring a bowl and drinking water for your pet.

Sprinkler Fun

Talking about water, using sprinkler is a cheerful play for dogs. The best thing about this is you don't have to go far, but still can have a good day in your backyard with your kids and pups. They will love it. To make it more fun, you can add music to it.

Caution

Both of your dog and kid can be exhausted by too much of running around. Stop them in betweens and make them take a rest for a while. Take care of their meal too. 

Dog Friendly Park

Usually the parks in neighborhood are dog friendly. Take a break a visit the park with your friend. Play fetch, take a walk or rest. Your dog might enjoy the company of other dogs coming with their parent, as well. 

Caution

Pets also get sunburn. Don't go to the open park if the sun is too strong. Choose a spot with shadow if possible. Consult your veterinarian and find the suitable sunscreen for your pup. Apply it to the exposed area including his/her nose before you go out.

Outdoor Dinning

Who doesn't love to eat out every once and then? Plan a dinner with your family, by family I mean the whole family. Select a dog friendly restaurant. These restaurants usually have enough space for you, your human and fur companion. Most of their service include a separate bowl of water at the beginning for your friend. Some might include other compliments too.

Caution

It might not be a good idea to go on the dinner if your dog is hyper active or doesn't follow your command. It might create an awkward situation for you and the restaurant staff.

Vacation at a Pet Friendly Hotel

Stay in a hotel is always a good package for vacation. It's more fun if your pet is with you and you don't have to worry about him/her while you are on vacation alone. Find a pet friendly hotel and start packing. The service both of you get, the swimming pool, the park all worth it.

Caution

Again, you will have to be cautious about your dog's behavior and hyper activity. You might also have to fulfill some of their requirements.

Camping

A camp on the open space with the flavor of nature n the environment and you are accompanied by your favorite friend, your dog. Isn't this a dream come true? May be this summer is the time to make dreams come true. 

Caution

Beware of the wild life. It's night time and your dog is in open, so take enough precaution to keep your dog around. It will not be a good picture if s/he goes of your sight. 

Hiking

Find a trail somewhere near you where can hike with your dog. It is only suitable if your dog is in good health and is the one who likes walking and climbing. It will strengthen your bond to higher extent. 

Caution

Make a list of what you should take on the hike, plenty of water, food, first aid box and like. High temperature can give your dog sunburn and hypothermia (heat stroke). So, take plenty of rests and don't walk on the high temperature if your dog is not feeling good.

Dog Friendly Events

Organize a dog party or a party where you all can bring their pets. Organize dog games in your neighborhood. Or plan a dog bath day at your locality. Devote a day for your pets and celebrate it together. 

Caution

Some pets might not get along, manage them. If you need permission for these activities, get one. Make it all about the pets.

Dogs have been our best friends from centuries. They have been with us in our joy, grief and troubles. They have been the reason for our happiness. They can be taken as the definition of unconditional love. The welcome they offer to us every time we come back home is beyond the explanation of words. Their love, care and warmth always restore our faith.

We all can agree on the fact that dogs have given us a lot. Why not thank them by giving them a productive gift this best friend day, a good health.

According to a study by Association for pet obesity prevention, 56% of the pet dogs in usa are overweight in 2017. Among them, 19.6% are suffering from obesity. Overweight is not only the problem in itself but also the cause of many problems in both humans and animals. Well planned diet, proper exercise and regular health checkup is the key to healthy pets.

You can be preventive about your pet's health and overweight issues, prevention is always the best way to deal with the problems. But, what if your dog is already overweight? Now it's the cure time. When it comes to reducing weight, the first thing that comes in my mind is water therapy.

Water therapy

Water therapy, also known as hydrotherapy, is a technique of losing weight by the use of water. There are two techniques within the water therapy: swimming pool and underwater treadmill. In swimming pool, the dogs can play around freely whereas underwater treadmill is more of a focused therapy which is usually used with a targeted amount of weight to be lost.

The water is denser than the air, thus making it 5 times more effective exercise. The dogs can lose more weight through water therapy in very few time span. If trained properly, they love swimming, making it a fun and they won’t have the burden of the feeling of exercise.

Along with weight loss, water therapy has many other perks for dogs. Regular water therapy helps maintain fitness, strength and condition of body. Being in shape and health reduces most of the future medical costs.

Water buoyancy makes it possible for dogs with joint problems to exercise without any pressure. It is very useful for joint and limb problems.

Water therapy is a healer after surgery or injury. It makes it easier for the muscle mass development and muscle strength in necessary body parts. Water therapy, usually warm water, improves circulation and lymphatic drainage. It reduces swelling, increases mobility and relaxes the muscle.

It increases the metabolism in body. Because of this, all the food consumed get properly digested and the nutrient reach all the necessary parts of the body.

Urban pet hospital and resort is well equipped with in-ground endless pool with swim current and aqua paws underwater treadmill. Our swimming trainers train dogs in regular basis and perform special weight loss programs, too. If you are living in Urbandale, Central Iowa, we are here for you. You can contact us at 515 727 0607. Wish you a happy best friend day.

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