Learn to examine your dog

Regularly walking your dog is a good way to get to know your dog. Learn to examine the dog by looking, feeling and smelling to discover early if something is not as you should.

How to examine your dog

Check that the eyes are clear
Make sure the nose doesn't run
Lift the lip to look at the dog's teeth and see that the mucous membranes are pink. If the dog allows it, you can open the mouth gently
Look and smell the ears so that they are clean and do not smell bad
Use your fingers and feel the dog for wounds, ticks, swellings and lumps
Look through paws, pads and claws. Remember that the dog has 5 toes and 5 claws, all of which should be examined
Lift the tail and inspect the anal opening
Keep track of the dog's weight by weighing the dog from time to time
Take the dog's temperature so you learn your dog's normal temperature
Feel the bitch's udder line for mammary tumours. Examine the male dog's testicles and feel if one is larger than the other.

About the Author

Amanda Andersson is a content writer Agria Djurförsäkring in Sweden, specialising in animal welfare. Previous experience includes Volvo on Demand, and 60plusbanken in Sweden.