Why is dog health important? People have dogs for different reasons.  Some dogs herd cattle or sheep, while others are used for hunting.  Still other dogs provide protection, sounding the alarm when they detect potential danger. 

But perhaps the most important reason people have dogs is for the pure companionship they provide.  There's nothing quite like the special bond between a devoted dog and its owner.  

For most people, dogs are our canine friends and family members.  They give us their love freely, and they deserve our best efforts to keep them healthy and happy.

No matter why we have our dogs, however, making sure they receive the ongoing health care they need is one of the most important things we can do for them. 

After all, that's the best way to ensure they have the opportunity to enjoy a long, healthy, happy life.  Of course, it's important for dog health care to always be done safely.

Sources of Good Advice

There's a wealth of information about dog health, but sometimes telling the difference between the good stuff and the bad can be tricky, so it's important to have a source of sound, reliable information. 

If you want to get your information on dog health topics from someone who grew up with animals and has had a lifelong, abiding passion for dogs, you've come to the right place. 

I also have a great deal of compassion for stray dogs, and in addition to giving them much-needed food and shelter, I’m always searching for ways to help them.  Much of my life revolves around caring for dogs, and I set up this website to share what I know.

You'll find the results of years of hard work, research, product testing and trial and error right here on this website.  In a nutshell, though, it didn't take me long to realize that it's almost always safest to use natural dog health care products.

Natural Alternatives That Work

As you're reading through the pages on this site, you'll find an extensive section on skin allergies and how to deal with them, along with information about natural products that can be used to prevent fleas and ticks. 

Although the main focus of this site is on dog health issues such as how to combat fleas and ticks, dealing with skin allergies, how to keep your dog's skin healthy and how to maintain good canine joint health using natural methods, you'll also find information on a number of other topics relating to dog health, including how to select a healthy puppy and how to care for your dog all the way through its senior years.

Many of the natural products that are mentioned on this site have been used by me on my own dogs.  I’ve had success with them and I feel comfortable recommending them to other dog owners.

You might be wondering why I have such a strong preference for natural dog health care products.   After you read one or two of the pages on this site, you'll understand why natural products are best, but we'll use flea and tick products as a quick illustration.

An assortment of flea collars, powders, shampoos and topical squeeze-on liquids are available to prevent and kill fleas and ticks.  Unfortunately, most of these products use toxic chemicals to kill existing fleas and ticks as well as prevent the arrival of new ones.  For the most part, these products are pretty effective.  The topical squeeze-on liquids are also waterproof and continue working even if your dog has a bath or goes out in the rain.

Sounds good, right?  Well, not really.  Being constantly exposed to toxic substances can't possibly be good for your dog's long-term health.  And, when you use the topical squeeze-on products (which admittedly can work quite well), the toxic chemicals will stay in and on your dog even after you give it a bath.  The package inserts of many of these products warn you to avoid letting them come into contact with your skin.  If they're dangerous enough to be unsafe for you, how can they be healthy for your dog?

Luckily for all involved - both you and your dog - there are safe, natural flea and tick preventives that use botanicals and essential oils instead of toxic chemicals to combat these skin parasites. 

That's just one example, of course, but if learning more about a safer, natural approach toward dog health care sounds appealing, you'll find plenty of helpful information on this website.