The short response is yes. Chi passes through all life, humans and pets included. What will work for the human in the house can also be good for the pet. Let’s say, clutter. Too much clutter in your dog’s sleeping place for example, brings him disharmony. So get rid of any clutter around their sleeping area to permit chi to flow. For more guidance that goes beyond the Feng Shui mirror and your pets, visit http://www.fengshuimirror.com.

Dogs can begin to exhibit signs of aging from as early as 7 years old, and usually the larger breeds age faster than small breeds. Smaller dogs can be 10 to 12 years old before they begin to show such signs. But whatever the breed, older dog health problems will become issues for their owners.

While every dog is different depending on his lifestyle, size and breed, and their health problems manifest themselves in different ways, there are some older dog health issues common to all senior dogs.

As a dog ages his metabolism slows down and you will notice him taking longer to recover after exercise, and being slower to stand up, especially after resting. He may no longer be able to jump into the car, or run upstairs as he did when a puppy.

Dogs, especially the larger breeds, can suffer with joint and bone problems, particularly arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joint, and for dogs (as with humans) it can be extremely painful. Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication may be required. Vets often recommend a gradual weight reduction for those dogs that are overweight, because the heavier the dog, the more pressure his joints are under.

Older dogs are also susceptible to eye problems, particularly cataracts and glaucoma. Owners usually notice cataracts when their dog’s eyes take on a cloudy appearance. Glaucoma on the other hand is very difficult for owners to detect and as such can be potentially very serious if left untreated.

All of a dog’s internal and external organs become compromised as he ages. The kidneys, lungs, heart and liver work less efficiently and the immune system ceases to fight viruses and bacteria as well as it used to.

Canine dental care is another area that can cause problems as a dog ages. Owners should check regularly that gums a bright and healthy and that there is no build up of plaque on the dog’s teeth. Any dental problem left untreated could affect other organs, even the heart.

With many of the conditions of older dog health, the best thing you can do for your dog is to lavish him with affection. Monitor any changes and brush his coat daily.

It is vital that owners acknowledge the fact that their dog is slowing down, and adjust the his diet accordingly. Continuing to feed a dog without a downward adjustment to its calorific count will result in an overweight dog. Carrying around that extra weight puts renewed pressure not only on the joints, but just about every other organ as well.

So the best older dog health tips are: regular visits to the vet, monitor any changes in your dog’s mobility, regularly check his gums, teeth and eyes, and feed him a diet that reflects his slower lifestyle. Oh yes, lots of cuddles and pats.

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Dog paw health can be adversely affected by injury, illness or allergy and acting fast will alleviate discomfort and hasten recovery.

For dogs who enjoy outside activity, foreign objects like twigs and thorns can lodge in between his toes. If you find this has happened and can easily remove the object, follow up with bathing the area with a saline or hydrogen peroxide solution for a few days to prevent infection. By leaving it unattended, an abscess may form and result in infection.

Just as cuts in human fingers and toes bleed profusely when cut, so too do the pads and webbing between the toes in dogs. It is because these are vascular areas and to stop bleeding a pressure bandage will be required. If the cut is very deep, a visit to the vet is advisable.

If swelling is apparent between the toes, it is possible that the dog has developed an interdigital cyst. These are not uncommon and are caused by a sweat gland blockage. Soaking the paw in salty water will help bring the cyst to a head. If it doesn’t, a trip to the vet is required.

One of the most common paw problems in dogs is interdigital dermatitis, and is often caused by allergies, especially to some grasses. If the dog cannot be prevented from licking the area, the skin could become raw and the veterinarian will need to be consulted for anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medication.

The ideal ways to ensure good dog paw health are:

• Examine your dog after playing and exercising to ensure he has not scrapes, cuts, prickly seeds, splinters etc. especially if you have been in an open grassy area or forest
• Always dry your dogs paws carefully after he has gone swimming, has been on wet grass, after giving him a bath
• Stop your dog from licking any area of skin that is swollen, ulcerated, or irritated (you may need to bandage the area).
• If you ever suspect that your dog has walked over dangerous chemicals wash the dog’s paws very carefully with sponge and cold water, don’t allow him to lick the area, and call your veterinarian.
• For dogs who do not walk and run often, it may be necessary to cut your dogs nails. Take instruction from the vet on how to do this, or better still, have the vet do it. If allowed to grow long, nails can snag and break causing a lot of discomfort to the dog.

Dog paw health is an area that can be overlooked but a dog spends a lot of time on his feet and will suffer if any problems are left unattended.

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Healthy Dogs Have Healthy Teeth

Dental health is just as important for dogs as it is for humans, but many dog owners don’t think about their pet’s teeth until a problem arises. It is estimated that if a pet owner manages his dog’s dental health well, it would probably live up to 7 years longer.

The immune system of pets is greatly stressed by dental disease, so much so that their resistance is lowered and they become susceptible to other, more serious, health issues. Mouth infections can lead to serious gum problems and affect other parts of the body, even the heart. So it is vital that a dog’s dental health be integral to any care program.

Puppies have 23 baby teeth, and adult dogs have, depending on their breed, around 42 teeth. Just like humans, as adult teeth arrive, they push out the baby teeth. Watch needs to be kept that, as the puppy grows, the adult teeth are coming through comfortably and are not crowded by baby teeth.

To check your pet’s mouth, start by talking to him gently. Cover his muzzle with your hand and gently lift up the sides of his mouth. There are some important things to watch for. Firstly, healthy gums are firm – they can be spotted, black or pink; and check that the dog’s breath is not foul smelling.

Look for soft white matter (plaque) or hard white, yellow or brown matter (calculus) on the teeth. The plaque can be brushed away, but calculus is a build-up that will need to be scraped off by a veterinarian.

Dog’s teeth should be cleaned regularly, and there are toothbrushes, toothpastes and gels designed specifically for dogs. A dog’s gum tissue grows very rapidly, so care must be taken not to damage it. Never use products made for humans – the brushes will be too firm and the pastes may contain harmful ingredients that will induce vomiting.

To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, start by rubbing his gums and teeth with your finger. Introduce a small quantity of toothpaste and let him lick and sniff it. Let him do the same with the toothbrush. Once familiar with the brushing sensation and the products you are introducing, the tooth brushing process should not be distressing for him, or you.

What a dog eats can also affect his dental health. Dry kibble helps keep teeth cleaner than wet dog food. As the dog chews the kibble, plaque is scaped from the tooth surface. Chewing dog biscuits has similar teeth-cleaning benefits.

Dental chew-toys are also on the available, and these have been designed to have an abrasive effect.

If bad breath (halitosis) is a problem, and other health issues have been ruled out, then there are products available that can be added to the dog’s drinking water to help.

There many products on the market now that are specifically designed to help you care for your dog’s dental health.

To keep your pet healthy it is necessary to feed him a balanced and nutritious diet and to pay attention to its dental and eye health. Sometimes what seems like a minor problem can escalate to affect the dog’s quality of life.

Dogs are susceptible to a variety of eye diseases that can occur at any time in their lives. Because of the structure of their eyes and the natural inquisitiveness of dogs, eye injuries are often the reasons for visits to veterinarians.

It is important for dog owners to check their pet’s eyes and teeth in between visits to the vet, and keep a watch for any squinting, cloudiness, discharge, redness or swelling. If you are concerned and your dog exhibits other symptoms their possible causes could be:

Fluid build up in the eye – can be the first indication of glaucoma;
Inflammation of the eyelids – possible conjunctivitis
Opacity of the lens – definite sign of cataracts
Third eyelid’s tear glad protruding – a sign of cherry eye
Eyelids turning inwards, scratching the eye – Entropion

Although not possible for most owners to detect, Progressive Retinal Atrophy is another common disease that causes blindness due to the retina’s cell deterioration.

While allergies and dust are often the causes of redness and itchiness, the possibility of other problems should not be ruled out. Tear ducts can become blocked, and virus or bacterial infections can cause a creamy discharge from the dog’s eyes.

If your dog is prone to allergy or irritated eyes, having some natural eye wash on hand is a great preventative move. If left to scratch, a dog can do further damage to an otherwise good eye with excellent vision. By scraping along a foreign object to relieve the itch, he can pick up splinters or otherwise exacerbate the problem.

By pet owner’s being alert to their dogs’ everyday health, they can take early steps to prevent their pets from suffering eye disease.

There is no doubt that dog owners need to take their pet to a veterinarian at least once a year, for a physical and inoculations. Most dog owners should be prepared for this expense. But where dog health insurance is useful is when your dog has an accident, develops a chronic condition or a terminal illness. Should any of these befall your much-loved dog, the expense of treatment can be staggering.

Taking out dog health insurance can help owners avoid heartbreaking decisions about the future of their pet. Faced with the prospect of a veterinarian’s bill, which could amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, those who can ill afford such expense may not be able to provide the surgery or medications needed to get their dog into good health again.

There are many different providers of pet insurance, and each one will offer plans tailored to dogs, with various inclusions. The level of cover will be reflected in the premium, but just about all insurers will cover injury and common medical conditions, although some hereditary conditions may be excluded. Most insurers do not cover vaccinations, or worming and flea treatments – but do ask about them.

Should your dog’s medical condition require a prescription diet, check with the prospective insurer to see if this is covered. Sometimes insurers will cover diet and other extras for an extra premium payment.

Some common exclusions are blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds. Some breeds suffer from hereditary conditions, and these too may be excluded.

Prices of dog health insurance policies will vary between insurers. Generally, you get what you pay for. Compare the benefits carefully, and don’t opt for the cheapest if it means you will compromise on quality.

In calculating the premium for dog health insurance, insurers will consider the dog’s age, breed, current health, medical history and any past claims. An excess will probably apply, which means the insurer will only pay above a certain amount. For instance, if the dog health insurance policy has an excess of $200 and your claim is for a $300 bill, the insurance will only pay out $100 (or as the case may be, any amount above the $200).

Shop around for your dog health insurance to find the one that is best for your pet. Take the time to get quotes, and clarify exactly what is covered, and more importantly, what is not covered.

If you want more information on dog health care insurance, check out this book called “Pet Insurance.”

Probably the most common problems seen in dogs are skin irritations and allergies. With constant scratching, chewing and rubbing, dogs can create unsightly patches on their bodies which can in turn become infected.

There are many causes of allergies in dogs, and what affects one dog does not give a dog in the same environment any problem whatsoever. Molds, pollens, fleas, dust mites, ragweed, food ingredients can all trigger allergic reactions in dogs – and humans for that matter.

Food allergies are the easiest to rule out by simply changing the dog’s diet. Where this is the cause many owners revert to preparing home made dog food for their pets, thereby eliminating all preservatives, and artificial colors and flavours. This will also alleviate many other common dog health problems.

A visit to the veterinarian will determine whether any sedative or hydrocortisone cream or spray is needed to help with scratching and resulting lesions. Soothing shampoos ease discomfort in the short term.

Arthritis is another common dog health problem and it is estimated to affect up to 30% of all dogs, especially as they get older. It is caused by the breaking down of the cartilage that protects the joints, thereby causing inflammation and pain. If you notice your dog limping, lagging behind during walks, or is slower than usual to rise after resting, suspect arthritis and consult your veterinarian.

Anti-inflammatory medication and pain relief may be necessary, and if the dog is overweight, a weight-reducing diet will be prescribed.

For dogs that are left in boarding kennels while their owners are away, it is imperative that they be vaccinated against kennel cough. This is a very contagious respiratory infection, producing a persistent, dry cough. It is caused by a bacterial infection, and if contracted may need treatment with antibiotics.

When mosquitos bite your dog, they can deposit microscopic larvae, which if left to mature will migrate through the bloodstream to your pet’s heart, and reproduce there. If left untreated, these worms can grow up to 12 inches long, and the dog will die of heart failure. Heartworm disease has in the past been treated by a once a month tablet, but it is now available as an annual vaccination.

Good dental health prevents many other common dog health problems and is an essential component of good canine care.