Why do dogs have so many health problems

Dogs, these lively, adorable, and loyal little creatures, are like warm sunshine in our lives. With their innocent smiles and warm companionship, they bring us endless joy without reservation and become an indispensable and important member of our family. However, in the process of accompanying dogs, we often helplessly find that they seem to face many health problems, from common skin diseases and gastrointestinal discomfort to more serious bone diseases, heart problems, etc. These health troubles not only cause physical pain to dogs, but also worry us dog lovers. So, what exactly causes dogs to have so many health problems? Behind this lies complex factors that require us to delve deeper with love and professional knowledge.

Genetic inheritance plays a crucial role in the health issues of dogs. Different breeds of dogs, due to long-term breeding and reproduction, each carry a unique gene pool, and some of these genes may have defects. For example, many small dogs, such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, are prone to patellar dislocation, which is closely related to their specific bone development genes. The incidence rate of hip dysplasia is relatively high in large dogs, such as Golden Hair and German Mutton, which is also caused by genetic factors. During the breeding process, if the genetic screening of breeding dogs is not strict enough, some recessive pathogenic genes can easily be passed on to the next generation, posing health risks to dogs from birth. Moreover, although inbreeding can preserve certain characteristics of the breed to a certain extent, it also greatly increases the probability of genetic diseases, making dogs more susceptible to health problems.

The impact of living environment on the health of dogs should not be underestimated. Whether the living space of dogs is clean and well ventilated directly affects their respiratory health. If the dog's kennel is not cleaned for a long time, it can breed a large number of bacteria and mold, which can easily lead to respiratory infections, skin diseases, and other illnesses in dogs. Some factors in the external environment are equally dangerous, such as the high temperature and heat in summer, which makes dogs prone to heatstroke, and the cold in winter. If the insulation measures are not in place, dogs may catch a cold or suffer from frostbite. In addition, the chemicals that dogs come into contact with may also pose a threat to their health. Some household cleaning agents and insecticides, if not properly stored, may cause poisoning in dogs if ingested, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and even life-threatening situations.

In terms of diet, improper feeding methods are an important cause of health problems in dogs. Some owners, for the sake of convenience, feed their dogs a single food for a long time, which may lead to imbalanced nutrition in their dogs. For example, improper selection of dog food may lead to anemia, poor bone development, and other problems if necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are lacking in dog food. Some owners excessively spoil their dogs, often feeding them human food, and many human foods, such as chocolate, onions, grapes, etc., are deadly poisons for dogs. Cocoa alkaloids and caffeine in chocolate, n-propyl disulfide in onions, and certain unknown toxins in grapes can all cause serious damage to important organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys in dogs. In addition, irregular feeding, overeating after hunger, or feeding too much at once can easily cause gastrointestinal disorders in dogs, leading to digestive disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal diseases.

Parasitic infections are also a major threat to the health of dogs. Parasites inside the body, such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, etc., can parasitize in the intestines of dogs, snatch the nutrients they consume, and cause weight loss, anemia, loss of appetite, and other symptoms. External parasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites, etc., not only bite the skin of dogs, causing skin problems such as itching, depilation, and erythema, but may also spread various diseases such as Lyme disease and Babesia. Especially for dogs that engage in frequent outdoor activities, they are more likely to come into contact with parasites. If deworming is not carried out regularly, it will give parasites an opportunity to take advantage and seriously affect the health of dogs.

Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial when we discover health problems in dogs. But sometimes, because dogs cannot speak, they cannot accurately express their discomfort, which brings certain difficulties to diagnosis. The initial symptoms of some diseases may not be obvious and are easily overlooked by the owner. By the time the symptoms become severe, the condition often has worsened. Moreover, the uneven distribution of pet medical resources and the insufficient emphasis on pet health by some owners may also result in dogs not receiving timely professional treatment, further exacerbating health problems.

The health problems of dogs are the result of multiple factors working together. As the closest companion of dogs, we have a responsibility to deeply understand these factors, starting from genetic screening, improving living environment, scientific feeding, enhancing immunity, regular deworming, and other aspects, to safeguard the health of dogs. Every concern for the health of dogs and every effort made for their well-being is a manifestation of our deep love for them. Let us use love and professional knowledge to accompany dogs to overcome health problems, rediscover that energetic, happy and worry free companion, spend more wonderful time together, and create countless warm and unforgettable memories. Because dogs are not only our pets, but also the most precious family members in our lives, worthy of our utmost effort to protect them.