Dogs can’t always let us know when there’s something wrong with them. That’s why regular health checks are really important, so you can identify any potential problems as early as possible! These quick health checks could save you some costly vet bills and, more importantly, they’ll help keep your pooch happy and healthy!
Checking Around the Eyes
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You’ll probably notice a bit of black gunk around your dog’s eyes. This is perfectly normal – it’s just a result of dried tears. Usually, this isn’t an issue and it’ll disappear naturally. Sometimes, if this residue gets stuck in your dog’s fur, it can cause irritating tear stains to appear around the eyes. Tear stains are reddish-brown streaks that appear around the eye which can lead to skin irritation and infections, so it’s a good idea to clean them up with some gentle wipes.
You can check inside the eye by getting your dog to move their eyes around. As with most things, the easiest way to do this is with a treat! Hold a treat and move it around so your pup follows it with their eyes. This should reveal the whites of their eyes. While doing this, you should look out for:
- Unusual squinting when moving the eyes
- Redness in the eye
- More eye watering than usual
- Any unusually-coloured discharge, especially green and yellow
If you’re concerned about this, take your dog to the vet.
Checking the Ears
Ears are easy to check, but they’re often overlooked – especially on floppy-eared dogs. When you look inside your dog’s ears, you’ll probably find some hair and a bit of wax. That’s not exactly pleasant, but you should check it regularly so you can spot anything out of the ordinary. If there’s too much wax, this can irritate your dog, making them scratch at their ears and potentially causing an infection. If you start to notice more wax than normal, you can clean it out with some gentle ear wipes.
Other things to check for include:
- Black, gritty bits
- Foul smells
- Swelling and redness
- Sticky liquid coming from the ear
Checking the Mouth
Checking in and around your dog’s mouth is important, but it’s probably the trickiest place to check! Some dogs are really protective about their mouths as it’s how they interact with the world, so they can get a bit touchy if you start poking around in there! When checking the mouth, all you need to do is to gently lift up the lips to try and get a look at the teeth. A common problem is dark brown tartar which is often found on the back teeth. This can easily be solved with dental toys and chews, as well as a healthy diet.
Other issues you should look out for in the mouth include:
- Foul smells
- Receding gums
- Red or swollen gums
Skin and Fur
Usually, skin and fur issues are linked. They tend to be the easiest to spot, as you’ll notice your pooch scratching, worrying, and nibbling at a particular patch of skin. You might also notice their coat looking thin, dull, or tangled.
You should regularly check your dog’s skin by parting their fur with your fingers. Some dogs might quite enjoy this grooming session! Don’t forget to look in all the tricky spots like the armpits and between the toes. The most common issue most dogs have is fleas, so you should keep an eye out for these tiny pests even if you regularly treat for them. Check for tiny white eggs and black grit-like droppings as well as the critters themselves.
Sometimes, you’ll notice flaking, redness, or sore skin. This can lead to scratching, which can then cause more serious issues. Make sure you regularly bathe your dog with a sensitive shampoo – like our Gentle Touch shampoo that’s specially designed for pooches with sensitive skin – to keep skin well-hydrated and in good condition.
