Apple’s iPhone has been very proud to publicise the fact that it has an ‘app’ for everything.Now, luckily for our furry friends, it seems there’s even an app for pet health care. For pet owners who prefer to use mobile phones than computers for sourcing information this is great news.

The applications are all created very much with pet owners wanting quick, concise pet health care information in mind.One app is called the Pet First Aid App and is a very handy collection of quick and simple pieces of pet health care advice for several animals. The app also offers advice on how to perform physical checks on your pet to help you figure out what the problem might be. There is also a very informative ‘what’s normal’ area which allows pet owners to check to see if they should be concerned about a symptom or behaviour.

An app which works in a similar fashion to the first aid application is the mobile symptom checker. Working in a similar way to its human counterpart, the NHS direct website, users can search any symptoms their pet is showing by category.

To help pet owners to keep up to date with their animal’s pet health care records there is a Vet Records app. Medical information is inputted and medical treatment can be tracked. This app might sound like it is doing the work of the vet, but it could come in handy if the animal has to receive treatment from any other vet, such as if they were on holiday.

The Pet Services finder app is great for pet health care enthusiasts. A sort of cross between Google search and the phone book, it points pet owners in the direction of almost any animal service in the local area, such as vets and dog walkers.

Other popular pet and pet health care related apps include an Off the Leash app which gives dog owners suggestions of interesting walks which are pet friendly and a Veterinary Dictionary which helps to clear up some of the confusing terms vets use.

In all, it is certainly true that today’s app technology is going a long way to making pet health care information more accessible to everyone.

If you have a pet dog then you always want the best for it. But it’s pretty likely that you are one of the sorts of dog owners who cannot be cruel to be kind and who gives in to the temptation to feed the dog scraps of human food.However, it is important to remember that some foods that humans regularly consume can be poisonous to dogs and might result in a serious dog health care emergency.

Human’s old favourite chocolate is one well known example of a food that can seriously jeopardise dog health care. Most people are vaguely aware that it isn’t good for dogs but it is actually very dangerous for them to eat. Hallucinations, seizures and internal bleeding can all result from a dog eating chocolate, with death being the worst case scenario.Many people are tempted to give their dogs a little bit of chocolate but a small chocolate bar can be enough to kill a small dog, so it is not worth the risk.Dogs that have ingested chocolate should be made to be sick as quickly as possible and veterinary advice should be sought.

Most dogs won’t appear too keen to eat raisins or grapes anyway, but the fruits are incredibly dangerous to dog health care. If a dog eats a big enough quantity of grapes or raisins is eaten then a dog will suffer kidney failure and most likely death.The amount of raisins and grapes a dog can eat before becoming seriously ill depends on its size and breed, but it is obviously better not to take the dog health care risk.

Another serious threat to dog health care are onions and macadamia nuts. A dog that has eaten either of them may suffer with stomach pain, hyperthermia, shaking and stiffness.

A drunken dog is not the sort of thing that is often seen, but it is true that a dog that has drunk alcohol will behave in a similar sort of way as a human who is intoxicated. Alcohol has the same effect on dogs as it does on people and may leave them feeling very under the weather. However, should the dog have drunk beer specifically, then there is a another problem. Dog health care is jeopardised by the hops which are used to make the beer. The hops can cause malignant hyperthermia which normally leads to death. As with many toxic foods, the dog’s ability to tolerate the hops is affected by breed and size, and greyhounds are notoriously easily affected by hops.

Most dog owners are familiar with the basics of dog health care, but it is very important to follow this advice in order to keep your dog in good health.

It is important when buying a puppy to exercise caution.If you buy a puppy from the wrong source you might end up with heart breaking dog health care problems on your hands. This is because of the danger of unwittingly buying a puppy who was born in a puppy farm.

Puppy farms and their owners show no regard for dog health care. Indeed, farmed puppies are rarely healthy.They frequently suffer serious physical and psychological ill health. They also frequently demonstrate problem behaviour.

Such problems are caused by the situation in which these puppies are kept. Preoccupation with profit means that conditions are almost certainly poor. The dogs have little or no space to exercise and nearly no contact with humans.

The health of the dogs is neglected. Only cheap, poor quality food is fed and the mothers are malnourished. From four months old, female dogs enter a cycle of constant breeding until they die or become too weak to continue.Such frequent breeding leaves mothers and puppies unhealthy. Puppies are removed from their mother’s care too early so that she may be forced to have another set. This, coupled with a lack of contact with humans leads to dog health care problems and behavioural disorders.

Unfortunately, shop-bought puppies are almost certainly sourced from puppy farms, so it is not a good idea to buy from pet shops. Newspaper and internet adverts are also dubious.Therefore, if buying a puppy from an internet or classified advert always insist on seeing the puppies with their siblings and mother as well as the father if possible.Any seller who makes excuses when asked this is not to be trusted.Farmed puppies might be offered cheaper than the going rate, but the saving is next to nothing when extra future vet bills, behavioural problems and heart break are taken into account.No reputable breeder would touch farmed puppies, so asking for recommendations from other dog owners is a good idea.

Numerous dog keepers who feel they know all about dog health care are usually surprised by the wealth of health treatment readily available for dogs. It’s a real shame that many dogs are put down when they get ill even though their problem might be curable.

One illustration of a fairly easy dog health care procedure is dog blood donation, that is ever more common in the UK. Regrettably not enough vets are fully aware of the ease of the process and because of this don’t recommend it adequately to dog owners.

Another example is using pace makers in canines. It’s amazing when you consider that a dog’s life could be prolonged by the same sort of medical procedures that allows innumerable humans to survive for a longer time when suffering from conditions which slow their heartbeats and it is proof of the effort that goes into dog health care study behind the scenes.

The usage of pacemakers in our dog buddies is relatively unusual, because of the tremendous cost, with the treatment being developed in the US. An interesting fact is that no company produces pace makers specifically for canines, consequently human devices are used. Consequently to keep costs low about a tenth of pacemakers used in canines in America are reused from humans who’ve passed away.

Fitting a pace maker to a dog which, aside from the cardiovascular illness, is in health can easily allow them to survive between three and six years longer. You learn something new about dog health care everyday!

If your dog exhibits signs of coughing and sneezing, accompanied by a runny nose and eyes, this will probably be an uncomplicated cold and you must try not to worry too much. On the other hand, if the coughing and sneezing becomes persistent then your pet is likely to be in the throes of Parainfluenza. If you believe this, it is important for dog health care that you keep your dog away from any other dogs since the illness is exceptionally transmittable. Take your pet to your vet’s.

One condition known as Canine Kennel Cough is characterised by a raspy cough with phlegm. This can be more severe, therefore if your dog’s signs and symptoms remain for more than two or three days without any improvement, consult the vet. A further serious variance on respiratory infections in canines is distemper. This is where cold signs and symptoms are combined with gastro-intestinal symptoms. Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, given it has a substantial mortality rate. Take your pet to the vet if you suspect he has Distemper.

Usually, less serious colds just like a normal common cold in humans will run its course in just a couple of days. If your dog has had cold signs and symptoms for more than ten days with no indication of improvement then you must take your pet to the vet’s where he will get dog health care. The reason for this is because untreated colds and viruses which the dog’s own immune system has been unable to protect against can grow into pneumonia which is more severe. This is characterised by coughing and difficulty breathing.

On the topic of looking for treatment for the dog, normally only young dogs and more elderly dogs require veterinary aid for simple common colds. Adult dogs that are mostly in good health may be cared for at home in the same ways to how we’d care for ourselves if we had a cold. Don’t try to give your pet over the counter cold remedies as there is a danger of overdose. Make sure your dog is kept warm and dry and restrict their time outside the house for the reason that cold will make inhalation harder when their bronchial tubes already are slightly stuffed up. Just like humans, dogs must keep well hydrated, so give them some lukewarm chicken soup. You could also try dog health care at home to make your pet more comfy by letting him breathe warm steamy air in your bathroom following a hot bath for five minutes. This will help relieve his congestion.

Don’t forget, if you are looking after your adult dog at home and his signs and symptoms worsen, he ceases eating or his coughing stops him from sleeping then it’s high time to take him to the vet.

Pet owners believe different things about their cat health care and dog health care practices, but not all of them are true, so it is worth evaluating what is right and what isn’t before its too late. As a nation, we love our pets, but when it comes to looking after them properly and knowing the truth, we don’t always get it right.

Misconception 1: If I have my dog or cat neutered or spayed, this will make it lazy

People actually get very confused about neutering and spaying and some believe it has pet health implications. Some think that neutering makes the animal fat and lazy, but this is only the case if you feed it more. Don’t misconstrue laziness for loyalty though, as dogs and cats tend to prefer to stay close to you when they have been neutered. In truth though, people do fear that neutering and spaying can shorten an animal’s life, but there is nothing to back this up at the moment.

Misconception 2: My dog knows when it has been bad, but it doesn’t learn.

How wrong can people be? Some dogs do not know when they have been badly behaved and they will continue to misbehave if they don’t get appropriately informed that what they have done is wrong. The best way to tell your dog it has done something wrong is to make sure it gets pointed out. Pro-active training like this is good. Try and shift your voice to sound angry rather than getting high-pitched as this relates too closely to happy sounds. Never hit a dog though. No pet owner should lay a hand to a dog and think that it is an acceptable part of dog health care; for it quite simply isn’t. The same applies to any mistreating of cats and kittens – this is not good cat health care.

Check with a vet if you are concerned about something not being accurate with your dog health care and cat health care practices. As an expert in the field, a vet will be able to advise you about what is right and wrong with dog or cat health care.

If you’re considering the purchase of a new pooch this Christmas, just think about what you’re going to let yourself in for. It is unfortunate that there are so many dogs in the shelters, but this is often because people cant cope after they bought the dog as a Christmas present, thinking it would be ‘fun’ without realising the hard work that goes into owning a dog. The dogs that don’t even get taken to a shelter just end up on the streets and die. Naturally, this is a harrowing thought for pet lovers out there, but it is still a reality.

It is important to remember that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas. Boyfriends buying a puppy for a girlfriend should carefully consider it to make sure the dog will be brought up in a suitable environment and that it is going to get enough attention. If you cant guarantee love, care and affection for your pet, its best not to buy it in the first place. The problem is that when boyfriends and girlfriends break up, the dog gets brought into it and often ends up without a home. They don’t want to see the animal and the pet then gets treated very badly. Buying pets as gifts often ends in tears, so its best not to risk it. The dog should be a loved family member too.

Many people would agree that what we need is a better dog health care advice, so fewer dogs end up in shelters by the New Year. The dog should be loved like everyone else in the family too, and its health is important. If you feed, play and walk it then these are the basic things needed. Just spend a good few months getting to know your pet and how best to look after it, taking into account all good dog health care tips, and this will prevent the influx of dogs at the shelter all year round. With rising dog numbers in shelters up and down the country, something needs to be done to stop people from buying pets when they can’t look after them properly. Don’t buy a pet at Christmas time, or any other time, unless dog health care really will be top of your priorities.

As a nation of dog lovers, we’re all aware of the curious nature of our pets, which can lead them to eat anything but some things are really bad for them. There are many things outside the home that dogs end up eating, but the same also applies inside the home, and with a number of toxic chemicals lying around, there is a great risk of harm coming to your dog. So, if you read on you’ll see that there is a list of 4 very important home-based products that should be kept out of your dog’s reach. Take the advice below and it will help you make sure your dog health care routine isn’t compromised.

1) Antifreeze: Something like antifreeze can kill pets quickly and painfully. It’s the sweet smell of the antifreeze that attracts dogs. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. So, to prevent this, simply keep antifreeze far away from your dog. If your dog does end up ingesting some antifreeze, call the vet immediately.

2) Chocolate: Dark chocolate is a prime example of something very dangerous to dogs. It does usually take a large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, but even small amounts can be fatal. Chocolate poisoning has horrific symptoms for dogs, including frequent urination and hyper-activity. This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Even the slightest suspicion that your dog might have even chocolate means you have to visit the vet to get checked out. Chocolate ingestion is very dangerous for your dog’s health.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Anything containing bleach should be out of sight and out of mind. Symptoms of bleach poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is an owner’s common instinct to try and make the dog be sick to get rid of the product it has eaten, but doing this can be fatal for your pooch, so please don’t try it. You have to keep your dog health care routine in check otherwise these substances could kill.

4) Mouthwash: Highly toxic to dogs is an owner’s mouthwash, and this is commonly found in the home. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma. Once again, any mouthwash ingestion requires a visit to the vet.

With diligence on our part, we can help prevent our dogs from getting into substances that are toxic to them. As owners, we try our best to keep on top of a dog health care routine, but its no good washing them and grooming them if you then poison them accidentally with household substances. As always, if you think your dog may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the closest emergency clinic.

Look after your dog by following these simple tips and understand more about the importance of pet health.

1. I’m getting my puppy today – what supplies should I have ready at home?

The first thing you’ll need is a travel crate for your dog’s trip home. You’ll also need to buy some high quality puppy food and bowls for food and water. It might be worth asking your vet or breeder about the best food for your new puppy. Get the bedding sorted too and have a few toys ready for your puppy to play with when it comes home. When you have your puppy, make an appointment with the vet to get its first check-up out the way…we’re not saying your puppy will like it, but he needs to have it.

2. I’ve heard about microchipping – what is this?

If you’re trying to be good and look at a wide variety of dog health care tips, one important tip is to get your dog microchipped. A microchip is a very tiny device that is injected underneath the dog’s skin, usually at the neck. If your dog is lost, then any veterinarian or shelter can use a scanner to read the information on the microchip and then return the dog to you. Do you need to microchip your dog? If you are always with your dog, then a microchip might not be necessary. However, given that the implantation procedure is such a safe and simple one, you really should consider it. Even the most closely guarded dogs can get away from their owners.

4. I’m concerned that my dog might have worms – how can I tell for sure?

Knowing more about dog health care means delving deeper into the world of potential health problems, and one such issue can be worms. There are some common types of worms that you should be aware of and these include hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Worms are internal irritants and one such as heartworms can be fatal. Get your vet to check for worms on a regular basis so your dog can stay fit and healthy.

5. Is there a good enough reason why I should get my dog fixed?

Unless you plan to professionally breed your dog, you should get him or her neutered or spayed (fixed). There are just not enough homes for all of the puppies and kittens born each year; and, as a result, over 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized annually. Neutering and spaying don’t take very long at all these days and providing there are no complications, your dog will be able to come home the same day.

In addition to its being an effective pet population control measure, spaying and neutering can also benefit your dog’s health. Getting your dog spayed or neutered before the age of 6months means you reduce the risk of your pet developing cancers and infections.