It’s recommended that we humans go for a health check-up at least once a year. Our dogs are part of our families, so doesn’t it make sense for Fido to go to the vet at least once a year, too? Taking the time, and spending a few dollars, to take Fido to the vet is an investment in his or her health, as the vet may be able to spot potential illnesses and problems before they have a chance to dramatically affect your pooch. They can never replace a vet’s full check-up, but read on for some ways you can also regularly monitor your pet’s health!

Open Up!

Most dogs won’t exactly be super happy to have you examine their mouths, but take a moment to open your dog’s mouth – his teeth should be mostly white, and there shouldn’t be any sores in his mouth. What color are Fido’s gums? They should be pink, whereas any other colors can be indicative of a problem.

Let Me See Those Eyes and Ears

Check to make sure that your dog’s ears are clean. If your dog has any marks on them or sores inside his ears, be sure to take him to the vet for a closer look. Same goes for your dog’s eyes – your dog should not have discharge coming from his eyes, save for some dog breeds where some clear discharge occurs naturally.

Smooth Skin and Coat

Give your dog a long pet each time he comes in from outside. Not only will he love the attention, but you’ll be able to detect whether he has any prickly grass or thorns in his coat, as well as checking that he isn’t missing any hair or has irritated spots on his skin. Be sure he doesn’t have any clumps of mud or snow in his paws. Lumps can unfortunately develop in dogs, so be sure to check your dog, including the underside of his belly and chest, for any lumps. If you should feel a lump, consult your vet immediately.

Is His Tail Wagging?

You’ll also want to pay attention to your dog’s overall demeanor. Sure, just like a human, there will be days when Fido isn’t as excited as he normally is, but if you notice a downward pattern in your dog’s mood, such as your dog sleeping more than usual or seeming depressed, these are key signs that your dog may be suffering from an illness, and to the vet it is!

Your vet will ultimately be able to determine whether your dog has an illness or not, but taking the above steps can help you find the first signs of a sickness and get your dog to the vet and back to his healthy old self again. We love our dogs here at BisketBaskets.com, and we’ve even developed Gourmet Gift Baskets just for sick dogs and their owners! Here’s to a healthy pet from all of us at BisketBaskets.com.