Healthy Dog Checklist – All That Dog

There are three main things to look at to see if your dog is eating a healthy diet and is receiving all the nutrients he needs to live a healthy, happy lifestyle.

Appearance-First off, examine his physical appearance. Start by looking at the skin which is the largest organ in the canine body. A dull coat and shedding hair are typical signs of unhealthy skin. Check to see if the skin is dry, flaky, red and inflamed. This type of condition may be associated with parasites such as fleas, mites or ringworm. It also can be a sign of inflammatory allergies. (Dust, pollen, mold, grass, trees)

Behavior-A healthy dog should be happy, active, outgoing and responsive. Their diet may not be agreeing with them if they show signs of irritability, hyperactivity, nervousness or restlessness. Scratching, itching, licking are all signs of allergies in dogs.

Stools-As disgusting as this may sound you should examine your dogs stool on a regular basis. A properly functioning digestive system produces stools that are darkish brown in color, firm, free of worms and artificial colors from commercial foods.There should be a small amount of stool, not soft, heaping piles that stink. A small amount of stool indicates that the food has been properly digested. Colored stool may indicate internal bleeding or disease. If not enough water has been consumed stools may be dry and hard and difficult to pass without straining. Poor quality food results in undigested material passing into the large intestine, where fermentation from bacteria produces gas and loose stools. If the intestines become inflamed or infested with worms, the stools will be abnormal.

Healthy Dog Checklist

Healthy Eyes- Bright, alert, clear