16/11/2025
⭐️Lucy’s Sunday Canine Holistic Health Tips⭐️
🐕 Longevity and your dogs health
It is very important to consider everything you do with your dog, including what you put in and on your dog. As these things can either positively or negatively affect their health and therefore how long they live.
A lot of things can affect your dogs health and longevity:
🐾 Genetics:
*Genetics can negatively affect a dog's health due to inherited diseases and health problems.
If you don’t go down the rescue route, make sure any pup you get from a breeder is fully health tested. (Tests will vary depending on the breed).
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/genetic-diseases-in-dogs/
🐾 Diet:
*Poor diet, particularly one that is highly processed, low in quality meat, high in starchy carbs, unbalanced in nutrients or includes toxic ingredients. Can lead to a wide range of physical and behavioral health problems, including obesity, digestive issues, skin and coat problems, organ diseases and it can even negatively affect their behaviour.
Over feeding can also have a negative affect on their health, it is important to keep our dogs lean.
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-truth-about-dog-food-and-supplements/
-https://www.prodograw.com/nutrition/dog-behaviour-the-hidden-influence-of-nutrition-on-your-dogs-mood/
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dog-brain-diet/
🐾 Over vaccination:
*Whilst vaccinations can be crucial for preventing serious infectious diseases, over-vaccination yearly poses health risks to dogs. Which range from mild, temporary discomfort to severe, chronic or even life-threatening conditions. Giving vaccines to a dog that already has sufficient immunity, offers no additional protection and will increase the risk of severe adverse reactions.
The Veterinary and Manufacturer guidelines state that a healthy dog shouldn’t receive core vaccinations anymore than every 3 years and after the 3rd year you can titre test to check immunity levels.
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/what-every-vet-should-know-about-vaccines/
-https://www.pethealthandnutritioncenter.com/blogs/natural-pet-health-education/are-you-over-vaccinating-your-dog-or-cat
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/pet-vaccination-risks-and-benefits/
🐾Use of chemical flea & worming treatments:
*The pesticides in chemical flea, worming treatment have negative effects on a dog's health, ranging from mild side effects to severe adverse reactions. Including muscle tremors, ataxia (lack of coordination), seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, skin irritation and over time they weaken the dogs immune system.
These chemical flea products are also incredibly dangerous to wildlife, insects and the environment. It pollutes waterways sickening or killing fish and water fowl, as well as other birds and their young if you leave your dogs fur for them to use for their nests.
-https://www.prodograw.com/news-2/why-its-time-to-rethink-flea-worm-treatments-for-dogs/
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/new-fda-warning-about-flea-and-tick-medications/
-https://www.pan-uk.org/pesticides-in-pet-meds/
🐾 Conventional Medication:
Before giving your dog any medication it is important to do your own research. Including read the info leaflet that comes with the product, so you know about the products long short and term potential side affects.
Many conventional medications can negatively affect a dog's health by causing nutrient depletion, gastrointestinal upset, neurological issues, blood disorders or severe damage to their immune system and organs.
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/nsaids-and-your-dog/
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/three-things-every-dog-owner-should-know-about-antibiotics/
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/wouldnt-give-dog-new-allergy-drug/
🐾 Spaying or Neutering too early:
Spaying or neutering too early, especially depending on the size and breed of your dog can negatively affect a dog's health.
This is because it removes reproductive hormones that are vital for many bodily functions, potentially leading to an increased risk of incontinence, certain joint disorders, cancers, obesity, and behavioral changes like fear or aggression. Instead of traditional practices you can opt for the ovary-sparing spay, which preserves vital hormones.
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/spay-neuter-and-joint-disease/
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/long-term-health-risks-benefits-spay-neuter-dogs/
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/health-risks-of-early-spay-neuter/
🐾 The water you give your dog:
*If you can, give your dogs filtered water, this is because tap water can contain trace amounts of chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals or industrial pollutants. These contaminants, even at low levels, might pose long-term health risks to a dog, potentially contributing to cancer or kidney issues over time. Hard water (high mineral content) has also been associated with an increased risk of urinary tract issues in pets.
-https://drjudymorgan.com/blogs/blog/your-pet-s-drinking-water-how-safe-is-it
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/can-hard-water-harm-dog/
🐾 Bowls you use to feed and water your dogs:
*Feed and water bowls can negatively affect a dog's health primarily due to bacterial contamination, pathogens, the material of the bowl, cross contamination, cleaning practices and the potential impact of feeding height on digestion. Dogs naturally eat and drink from ground level in the wild, although some health issues may require raised bowls.
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/best-dog-bowls-evaluated/
🐾 Exercise or lack of:
*Lack of exercise can negatively affect a dog's health in numerous ways. Dogs are naturally active animals requiring regular physical activity and mental stimulation. A lack of adequate exercise can lead to a variety of physical health issues and behavioral problems. Including obesity, Cardiovascular & Musculoskeletal Issues, Digestive Problems, immune system issues, boredom, anxiety and hyperactivity.
-https://loyal.com/posts/how-movement-and-exercise-in-dogs-promotes-longevity-and-healthier-aging
-https://www.cahosp.com/post/health-risks-of-poor-pet-exercise
🐾 Products you use in your home and garden:
*Many common home and garden products pose a serious health risk to dogs, who are naturally curious and often explore their environment by sniffing, licking etc. in your home this can be anything from scented candles or plug ins or cleaning products. In your garden this could include pesticides used on plants, certain plants or mulches used in the garden.
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cleaning-supplies-killing-your-dog-pet-safe-cleaners/
-https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/lawn-chemicals-herbicides-and-pesticides/
🐾 Shampoo used to wash your dog:
*Using the wrong shampoo and washing your dog too much can affect a dog's health by disrupting their skin's natural pH. Leading to dry, flaky skin, irritation, and make them more vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, and viruses.
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/20-ingredients-dont-want-dogs-shampoo/
-https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/how-to-choose-a-safe-shampoo/
⭐️The important thing to remember is that we have lots of options in order to make sure our dogs stay healthy for as long as possible.
We are in control of everything we do with our dogs and we have the choice to follow a conventional route or opt for a more holistic one.
As always always do your own research, join some holistic groups or consult with a holistic or homeopathic vet.
