German Shepherd Health Problems & How To Prevent Them

Your German Shepherd is part of your family, and as any member of the family, you want to make sure that he is as healthy as possible. And the best way of keeping him as healthy as possible is being aware of the illnesses that affect this breed.

As with many large breed dogs, German Shepherds can have weak bones when they get older. Be aware when your dog is a puppy that he does not play extensively in the driveway, or someplace that can give a lot extra pressure on his bones. The right kind of food and a calcium supplement will help fight against your German Shepherd’s bones weakening.

Another condition they are prone to is to bloat, also known as gastric dilatation. Your dog ‘inhaling’ his food as he eats, drinking a lot of water, followed by exercise, can cause bloat. Feeding your German Shepherd twice a day in order to cut down on the amount of food he eats at once, and waiting at least an hour after he eats before physical activity can fight this. It should be noted that the chances of bloat increases with age.

A few more health concerns to be aware of are Panosteitis, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy. The goal of listing all of these conditions is not to create panic, just to give awareness to the German Shepherd owner.

Having a veterinarian you trust, and who has experience with German Shepherds, along with being aware of what can happen with your German Shepherd can go a long way to avoiding the panic-stricken trips to the vet!

Oral Hygiene, Arthritis, Shedding and Ear Infections

Especially if you choose to free feed your German Shepherd, keep an eye on his weight. A German Shepherd who is carrying extra weight is more prone to health problems, especially arthritis and heart troubles.

Just as our teeth need cleaning, so do your German Shepherd’s. Over time tartar will collect on their teeth and it needs to be cleaned with canine toothbrush and toothpaste. This can be done in a grooming session or part of a weekly routine. It should be included in puppyhood training for your German Shepherd to tolerate having his teeth brushed.

Your German Shepherd will shed. Most dogs shed at least a little, but this breed is considered a heavy shedder. The shedding is year round, with ‘blowing out’ his coat twice a year. Brushing daily will help keep the amount of hair from floating around your home. German Shepherds do not need their hair trimmed, just brushed to keep it well groomed.

Most dogs with large ears can be prone to ear infections, make sure your German Shepherd’s ears are kept clear and odor free. Keep your four-legged friend’s nails trimmed as well. Nails that grow too long can curl around and poke into the pad of the foot, causing pain for your German Shepherd. Over long nails can also get caught on things, which would also cause pain for your dog.

Arthritis is always a potential problem with any dog including GSD’s the best way to prevent arthritis symptoms is to take a supplement like Pet Bounce Arthritis Formula which will give your german shephard a new lease on life.

Most dogs are uncomplaining, and your German Shepherd is counting on you to be aware of his health.

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