If you’re like most dog owners, you want to know what health problems might affect your pet. That way, you can do everything you can to prevent them.
Some of the most common issues include parasites, arthritis, and cancer. Understanding them can help you keep your best friend healthy and happy for a long time.
Physical
There’s a whole world of health benefits that come with having a dog, including lower cholesterol and triglycerides, increased physical activity, a better response to stress, lower blood pressure, longer lifespans, and more. In fact, dog owners tend to be healthier than people without pets based on a variety of factors, according to Harvard Medical School.
While the cause of these benefits is still unclear, one key factor that contributes to them is dog owners’ commitment to daily exercise and being physically active. The amount of walking or jogging that they do is often greater than non-dog-owners, who are likely to be less active and not as committed to their fitness goals.
In addition to the positive impact that dog ownership has on our bodies, there are also mental health benefits that can occur when we have dogs in our lives. For instance, dogs can act as therapy animals for many people, and that has been linked to a reduction in depression and PTSD.
Emotional
An emotional support dog is a canine companion that’s been prescribed by a mental health professional to help with their owner’s symptoms. They can be any breed or size of dog, but the best emotional support dogs are those that have patient and comforting demeanors.
A great ESA can make a significant impact on your mental health. They provide companionship, comfort, and emotional support in a way that no other animal can.
In fact, they’re often recommended by doctors for treating depression and PTSD. A well-trained emotional support dog can even alert you when you’re having a panic attack or anxiety episode that requires immediate attention. These pups are also a good source of exercise and companionship, making them a great addition to your life.
Social
Dogs are social creatures who need to be exposed to new people, places, and animals. This can be achieved by positive socialization, which teaches them to react to new situations in a positive way and helps reduce stress.
Improperly socialized dogs are at risk of developing chronic stress hormone release, which can impact their health and well-being. They may also have increased susceptibility to disease and a higher rate of behavioral problems as they age, especially when they become lonely or unable to play.
It is important for humans to develop a dynamic biopsychosocial model, which considers the varying dynamics between human-dog interactions over their lifetimes (see NG for more details). Theory-driven science that addresses these factors will help influence research, practice and policy in this area of health care.
Mental
Just like humans, dogs suffer from mental illnesses and disorders that affect their quality of life. Many of these conditions require medication, behavioral therapy and a change to their environment to improve the dog’s mental health.
Anxiety and depression are common for both people and pets, and can be treated with a combination of medications and behavioral therapy. Dementia, which is the canine version of Alzheimers or dementia in people, can also be a problem for older pets.
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is another condition that can be caused by a trauma in the pet’s past. Symptoms of this condition include fear, anxiety, sensitivity to noises and difficulty sleeping.
A veterinarian can diagnose and treat mental illness in your dog. They will perform a physical checkup to rule out any underlying illness that might be causing your dog’s symptoms and prescribe medications to help manage the issue. Your vet will also talk with you about changes to your pet’s environment and routine that may help improve their mental health.