For a dog parent, there is no greater responsibility and higher priority than making sure your dog is healthy. Your ability to achieve that goal rests on a variety of factors – the right diet and nutrition, the right amount of exercise, and awareness about the likely dog diseases and symptoms. Even if you do it all right, occasional visits to the vet are par for the course in your journey as a pet parent.

Providing your dog the right care also means being able to pick on the subtle hints and signs to get your pooch the care and medical attention it may be in need of, at the right time. To help you on all of these fronts, All About Dog Parenting provides you with expert-backed dog health information and advice from every stage of your dog’s life.

Common Dog Health Issues

When it comes to dog health, prevention is the best recourse available to you. The next best thing is getting your pet timely medical attention and the right care when required. To be able to do either of these, you need authentic, credible information on dog diseases and symptoms. This comprises,

Most common dog diseases

First and foremost, you need to familiarize yourself with the health risks your pet is most prone to. Although this knowledge evolves as you grow as a pet parent and learn from your experiences, familiarizing yourself with the most common dog diseases is a good starting point:

• Dog gut health: A healthy gut equals a healthy body – this holds true not just for humans but also for dogs. Poor gut health in dogs can be an indicator of a far more serious underlying problem. For example, my GSD, who suffered from chronic gut health issues, resulting in frequent bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, was suffering from spleen cancer, which couldn’t be detected until it was too late. Neither we nor the scores of vets we consulted during his six years with us could see it for what it was – a warning sign. That’s why signs of poor gut health in dogs must never be ignored or taken lightly, especially if the problem becomes chronic
• Skin issues: After dog gut health, the second most common concern is skin issues in dogs. From allergies to parasite infestation, and bacterial and fungal infections, dogs are susceptible to a whole host of issues that can make their skin inflamed, flaky, scaly, resulting in itching, irritation, and in some cases, hair loss. The right care – baths at the right frequency, regular brushing – along with the right nutrition and supplements are key to keeping these issues at bay.
• Ear infections: Whether your pooch has floppy ears or ones that stand upright, ear infections are a real risk and can cause them a lot of discomfort. As our vet says, ear infections are the second most painful of dog diseases after kidney disease. So, religiously following the right ear cleaning routine, and being attentive to any symptoms such as excessive wax, head shaking, or foul odor, is vital. If you do notice signs of an ear infection in dogs, visit the vet without  
• Urinary tract infections: Just like humans, dogs can also get UTIs and they’re just as painful. So, if you notice your toilet-trained dog having accidents in the house, coupled with symptoms such as lethargy and increased water intake, know that they need immediate medical attention
• Obesity: Your dog’s nutritional intake is directly tied to their health. Large portion sizes, table scraps, imbalanced diets that are high in carbs and fat and low in protein and fiber, and unaccounted treats can all cause your dog to gain weight quickly. Falling for those puppy eyes and slipping your pet a strip of bacon may seem like an act of affection, but these unhealthy practices can quickly add up and take a toll on your dog’s health. Obesity can, in turn, trigger a host of health issues and ailments. Thankfully, when it comes to figuring out dog health problems and solutions, this one is easy to crack and can be reversed with the right diet and adequate exercise
• Joint issues: Speaking of ailments triggered by obesity, joint health in dogs can be a major concern. Although weight can be a key contributor to certain joint health issues, it isn’t the only factor at play. Problems like arthritis or hip dysplasia are common concerns, which are often associated with genetics as well as lifestyle
• Toxicity: Dogs are curious creatures, who like to sniff around and explore, particularly the areas that you don’t want them to. In the process, they may end up ingesting things that are toxic to them. This includes plants, household items, or even certain foods that are perfectly okay for humans to consume – chocolates and onions, for example. My current pup ended up ingesting a packet of beard wax that led to an instant and freaky reaction, leaving his entire face swollen. Thankfully, with immediate medical attention, the reaction subsided within the hour. The point is, the risk of such freak accidents is real and erring on the side of caution your only option

Dog health issues by breed

Apart from the diseases and health conditions common to most dogs, there are some that are specific to certain breeds. Before you bring home a pet or even decide which one is right for you, it’s absolutely crucial to familiarize yourself with the potential health issues you will be dealing with for about the next decade of your life. After all, Golden Retriever health issues can be very different from, say, German Shepherd or Bernese Mountain Dog health issues.

Each breed comes with its own set of strengths and genetic drawbacks. You need to factor these in to get a reality check on the level of commitment and investment of time, effort, money, and emotional distress you are signing up for. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common dog health issues by breed (which we will cover in far greater detail in this section of All About Dog Parenting).

• Labrador Retriever health issues: Prone to weight gain, joint issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, progression retinal atrophy
• German Shepherd health issues: Hereditary hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, which results in progressive paralysis, ear infections
• Golden Retriever health issues: Hip Dysplasia, skin irritation, allergies and ear infections, bloating, cataracts, hypothyroidism
• Bernese Mountain Dog health issues: Hip or elbow dysplasia, bloating, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and cancer, particularly at risk of histiocytic sarcoma
• Boxer health issues: Heart conditions, thyroid problems, skin allergies, bloating, elbow dysplasia, high risk of cancer
• Chihuahua health issues: Patellar luxation, which can lead to arthritis, cardiac conditions, and eye disease
• Cocker Spaniel health issues: Eye disorders such as glaucoma and cataracts, heart disease, liver disease, epilepsy, and ear infections
• Dalmatian health issues: Hereditary predisposition to deafness, as well as bladder or kidney stones 

While we have touched upon some of the most common ones, the scope of dog health problems and solutions is so wide that you cannot sum it up in just 5, 7, or even the top 10 most common dog diseases. This is just the starting point. In this section, All About Dog Parenting will touch upon the myriad aspects of dog health information.