Health

Healthy skin and a shiny, well-groomed coat not only enhances your dog’s appearance, it makes your dog feel more comfortable and less prone to skin irritation and external parasites. Signs of Healthy Coat and Skin • Normal, healthy skin colour ranges from pale pink through to shades of brown to black. • Healthy skin is smooth, pliable and free from dandruff and odours. Signs of Healthy Eyes • Clear, bright eyes which are free of discharge are also a sign that your dog is feeling their best.

Healthy dogs are usually alert, curious about their environment and have a good appetite. Outward Signs Although the immune system generally functions on the inside, there are some outward signs that indicate robust good health: • Sleek, shiny coat • Active and energetic • Clear, bright eyes • Alert posture • Normally healthy skin; supple skin • Healthy gums • Good lung capacity; easy breathing • Strong muscles, healthy lungs • Resistance to disease

Bones and joints benefit from a properly balanced diet. Although we think of bones and joints as static, or completely developed once adulthood is reached, they are constantly restructuring themselves. Therefore, to stay healthy, they need a constant supply of nutrients including protein, water, and minerals like calcium and phosphorous. Signs of Healthy Joints and Bones Here are some signs that may help identify bone and joint health: • Normal range of motion and flexibility. • Ability to perform routine tasks or movements, i.e. climb stairs, jump up or down, or play. • Cat exhibits the proper posture or stance. • Continued ability and interest in play and/or exercise.

Your dog’s dental health is very important. Healthy teeth and gums are the first step in the utilisation of the important nutrients your dog’s food provides. The ability to effectively chew food is a vital precondition for digestion. Signs of Healthy Teeth and Gums • Chewing reduces kibbles to smaller pieces that allows for the optimal digestion and utilisation of nutrients. • Feeding an appropriate diet to your pet can help to limit plaque and tartar build-up. • Check your dog regularly for signs of plaque and tartar build-up and see your veterinarian on a routine basis for examination and cleaning, if necessary.

Your Guide to Puppies The arrival of a new puppy is a wonderful time, but we know it can be an anxious one too. Keeping them safe and happy takes planning and patience for everyone in the household, but the effort will pay off, as your new pet grows into a confident, affectionate new family member who knows there’s no place like home. Remember, the more love and care you give your puppy, the happier and healthier they’ll be! Please follow our guides below on learning, care, feeding, training and health. Taking Puppy Home The first week with a new puppy is exciting, but it can also be challenging at times. Follow these tips to ensure that the first week with your puppy is as fun and productive as possible.

When it comes to feeding puppies, it’s not just a matter of feeding leftovers or what your adult dog is eating. Puppies need specific foods that cater to their growing bodies. The first year of life is critical in your puppy’s development. Your puppy has a lot of growing to do and needs a well balanced diet. At certain times during their growth and development, a puppy requires up to twice the amount of some nutrients, and up to three times the calories per kilogram of bodyweight, of that of an adult dog. As you feed your puppy, you need to supply all the body building nutrients it requires to grow and develop: protein for strong muscles, water for hydration, calcium for strong bones and teeth, iron for healthy blood and enough calories for all the energy a puppy burns. This is easily accomplished when you feed a commercially prepared puppy formula that is complete and balanced.

De-sexing The decision to de-sex is one of the most significant aspects of pet care a dog owner can provide. De-sexing is known as spaying in female dogs and neutering in male dogs. De-sexing is performed by a veterinarian and is best carried out on your dog while he or she is still young.

We Believe in Nourishing the Whole Pet We know thatnutritionis just one component of providing a dog with a long, happy, healthy life. That’s why we work hard to help pet owners learn to nourish their whole pet – mind, body, furry coat and paws alike. Understanding Your Dog's Basic Needs FOOD & WATER From providing a complete and balanced diet to helping your dog avoid the risks of obesity, what you feed your dog is essential. Visit our Diet & Nutritionsection to learn more about keeping your dog well fed and properly hydrated. ATTENTION & LOVE One of the reasons we at Purina love dogs so much is that they provide us with unconditional love. But just like they provide us with affection, dogs need plenty of affection from us. Make sure you spend plenty of time with your dog so that he becomes properly socialised and feels like a valued part of your household. EXERCISE Don’t let that pup lay around on the couch all day! Dogs are active creatures, and need plenty of exercise and stimulation. Bonus: Frequent activity helps keep your dog fit.

BODY CONDITION Dogs vary in size among individuals and breeds. Observing and feeling a dog’s body are useful tools in assessing the body condition. LEARN MORE IMMUNE SYSTEM Healthy dogs are usually alert, curious about their environment and have a good appetite. LEARN MORE SKIN, COAT & EYES Healthy skin and a shiny, well-groomed coat not only enhances your dog’s appearance, it makes your dog feel more comfortable and less prone to skin irritation and external parasites. LEARN MORE BONE & JOINT HEALTH Bones and joints benefit from a properly balanced diet. LEARN MORE DENTAL HEALTH Your dog’s dental health is very important. Healthy teeth and gums are the first step in the utilisation of the important nutrients your dog’s food provides. LEARN MORE DIGESTION Digestibility is the percentage of a food’s protein and other nutrients available and utilised by your dog. LEARN MORE

Your dog’s coat is their first defence and a vital protective layer against the outside world. The appearance of your dog’s coat is an indicator of your dog’s general health. Below, we look at some factors that could affect the look of your dog’s coat. SKIN REACTIONS Skin reactions can be caused by a number of factors, including food that your dog consumes, fleas, or something in your dog’s environment. By keeping an eye on your dog’s appearance, you may be able to pick up if your dog has sensitive skin. If you think your dog may have sensitive skin, visit your vet for advice. ALLERGIES Ingestion or inhalation of allergens may cause your dog to show discomfort. Allergens can include flea bites, dust mites or particular foods. For more information or advice around allergies, visit your vet. SEASONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Seasonal factors, such as the sun, wind, snow, rain, cold and heat could trigger a reaction from a dog with sensitive skin. Their skin may dry out and they may feel less comfortable than usual. Similarly, environmental factors, including grasses and other pollens, pollutants, dust and dirt could trigger a sensitive skin reaction from your dog. If your dog is stressed or obese, they could also develop sensitive skin reactions. If you are concerned about any of these factors affecting your dog’s health, seek advice from your vet. For information on what products could help your dogs skin please contact our Purina Pet Care Advice Teamhere.

When your dog starts to display some of the signs of aging, such as sleeping more and playing less, it’s easy to assume these changes are an inevitable part of growing old. But for dogs aged seven and older it is important that they have regular exercise, mental stimulation and specially formulated nutrition to help support some of the physical and cognitive changes that can occur with aging. Introduce new toys and activities. For an older dog, a new toy isn’t just fun and exciting – it can also offer your dog mental stimulation and encourage more interaction. Explore new places. Whether it’s taking your dog to a new place to play, a dog park or even walking a completely new route, the novel experience of a different location can help provide your dog with mental stimulation. Meet new dogs. As long as your dog doesn’t show signs of aggression or anxiety, the chance to interact with other dogs will help keep your dog socially active. Teach new tricks. The old cliché isn’t true – you can teach your old dog new tricks. Asking your dog to learn a new command will test his or her brain against a new challenge. Give time and attention. Your dog needs just as much care and attention as he or she did as a puppy. When you give the time and care your dog deserves, you can both enjoy the years you have together. Feed great nutrition. PRO PLAN®BRIGHT MIND™ Adult 7+ has been specifically designed for dogs aged seven and older. PRO PLAN®BRIGHT MIND™ contains enhanced botanical oils with MCTs, shown to promote mental alertness and sharpness in dogs aged 7+ with visible results in 30 days. Visit your vet regularly. Your vet is your best resource for making sure your dog stays healthy. During your dog’s senior years, you may want to consider more frequent appointments for your dog. And, if in doubt, call your vet for advice about any issues or concerns you might have. Putting these tips to work with your older dog can go a long way to ensuring all of the years together are great ones.