Tips, Help And News About Golden Retrievers

Posts Tagged ‘Water Intake’

It is a must to check out Golden Retrievers information on health if you really love your golden fuzz ball. If you think you are doing your best in caring for your dog, read on this article to see if she is as healthy as she should be.

A healthy Golden’s coat is shiny, soft and lustrous, free from mats, bald spots and thinning. She should be well groomed and fur should be neatly trimmed from the head to the tail. Fleas, mites and ticks should be out of sight. Her skin should be smooth and supple, without any sores, scaling or scabs. Her muscles should be sturdy, free from lumps, redness or swelling.

Her legs should be straight and paws should be well aligned. She shouldn’t be limping and her nails and dew claws are neatly trimmed to the quick with no cracks. The sole of her paws should be clear from any cuts, burns or thorns.

Her eyes are clear, bright and free from inflammation and redness, green or yellow discharge. Her ears are pink on the inside, clean and neatly trimmed on the outside. No signs of thinning fur or scaling on the edges. It should be free from foul smell and discharge.

Her mouth, gums and tongue should be healthy pink and not pale. Sores, redness, cuts, bumps and bad breath should be absent. Her teeth should be sparkling white and free from plaque or any dark discoloration.

She should be eating normally, with no apparent signs of appetite or weight loss. She should be on the normal range at 55 to 65 pounds. Her water intake should be normal, an average of a gallon per day and depends on the weather and her activity. Her urine should be clear and not dark yellow. Her stool should be firm and brown, not loose, red or black in color. It should also be free from worms and rice grains. Her anal sac should be free from foul odor and dried stool.

She should be robust which is how a Golden should be with no signs of lethargy. She enjoys being surrounded with people and other animals. She is not aggressive and hostile when touched by strangers. She should be sociable and friendly.

Is your Golden looking healthy? Good health depends on her diet, water intake, exercise, lifestyle, vaccination and medical care. If you think you need to exert more effort on your Golden’s care, it is best to consult the one who knows best, the vet.

It is essential to know about Golden Retriever health once you have decided to be a Golden owner. Keeping your dog healthy does not just depend on exercise, check ups, vaccines and food. It also depends on his water intake. Water is essential to your very active Golden. Since it composes three fourths of his body, a lack of it will cause dehydration, organs to malfunction, low blood volume, poor blood circulation, excretory problems, numbness, fainting and even heat stroke. It is also studied that dogs with poor water intake have higher risks of getting cancer, gum and dental problems. We should not underestimate the significance of water in our dog’s diet. Aside from aiding your dog’s digestion, it transports nutrients in the blood stream enabling these to reach the organs. Water is also important in regulating his body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure. It is also vital in keeping the skin supple and the coat in good condition. Water helps in removing body wastes, preventing constipation, kidney stones and urinary tract diseases. It also protects the joints, muscles and organs by transporting oxygen to the cells. Aside from that, it is necessary in good dental health. A dry mouth is prone gum disease and other periodontal problems. Your dog’s water intake depends on his age, activity, diet and the weather. A young pup may drink less compared to an adult Golden. A dog that is always out in the sun for play, training and outdoor activities may require more water than usual. The more a dog burns up water, the more he needs to be rehydrated. A dog feeding on raw meat diet may drink less and the one feeding on dry kibble may drink more. This is because raw meat is mainly composed of 70% water. Dry kibble on the other hand can be soaked in water or served separately. Plenty of water is important especially during hot weather to prevent elevated pulse rate, fainting and heat stroke. Body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure tends to be higher on humid days and this can be controlled by drinking ample amounts of water. On the average, a dog can consume a gallon of water each day. This is why it is just important that your dog has access to clean and fresh water throughout the day. Water should always be given after each feeding time. Now you know why water is essential for your Golden’s health. You can help him be at his best by giving him plenty of water now.