Small dogs can have a variety of health problems. The first problem they have is with their teeth. Larger dogs can use hard food, bones, and other items to clean their teeth; but with small dogs it’s harder. In addition to providing chew toys it is important to brush your small dogs teeth. Many small dogs end up losing their teeth because the owners just can’t keep them clean.
Your small dog may eventually need a professional teeth cleaning. This may seem silly, because it is expensive, but if you want your dog to stay healthy, you have to make sure their teeth are healthy.
Having bad teeth can cause a variety of health problems because the germs from the mouth can travel into other areas of the body. Once this happens, the germs manifest themselves as other diseases.
Lack of exercise is another health problem that plagues small dogs. Since small dogs are so cute and cuddly, owners have the tendency to carry them all the time and overfeed them. This means the dog is not getting any exercise but they are eating up a storm. It’s okay to carry your small dog- after all, maybe that’s why you got a small dog in the first place. But you still need to make sure they get exercise.
Take your small dogs for walks, let them run around and get some fresh air. If you live in a cold environment see if your local area has a dog gym or play place. This can be a great way to get out and have some fun with your precious pooch.
Just like with humans, being overweight can cause health problems for dogs. Especially small dogs that just don’t have the resources to support normal functioning on top of an overweight body.
