- Bad breath indicates the presence of rotting food that is stuck to the teeth and gums, thus causing plaque. Brushing the teeth on a regular basis will help to eliminate bad breath. As for diet choices, canned food and table food should be avoided. Instead, raw carrots can be added to a diet of dried food.
- Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so it is very important that the dog is getting enough fluids. To give the digestive system a rest, no food should be given to the dog for 24 hours. After that time, make one part boiled hamburger and mix it with two parts cooked white rice. Feed this (in small amounts) for two days in four-hour increments.
- A dog can easily get bitten by bugs while playing outside or taking a walk. Wash the area with warm water and then apply some baking soda to the bite. An alternative to baking soda is milk of magnesia.
- Often, asthma is caused by obesity. Thus, it is very important to make sure that the dog is eating a healthy diet and is getting enough exercise. Dry air can often be a trigger for canine asthma, so a humidifier can be of help. Dogs sometimes have a tendency to develop asthma if their owner smokes. If this is the case, the owner should definitely consider quitting both for the health of their dogs as well as their own health.
- Dog nails need to be trimmed or or ground with a dremel regularly, otherwise the dog's gait may suffer and the nails will start to split. Some dog owners actually end up cutting the nails a bit too short, and they start to bleed. A home remedy for such a situation is to dip the nails in some regular flour and to tap the flour into the nails.
- Minor dog maladies can usually be treated at home, thus saving money. However, more serious maladies must be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
