Preventive Care

In addition to regular vet visits, maintaining your dog’s health at home can help them stay happy and healthy later in life. Find tips, resources, and best practices for preventive care.

A hiker wearing a backpack walks with his dog through a heavily wooded forest in bloom with pink flowers.
Preventive Care

Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs

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As you may already know, flea and tick prevention is a crucial part of your dog’s care. Why is it so important? Fleas and ticks are parasites that can carry other parasites or diseases that affect pets. Many of these infections are treatable, but preventing infection in the first place is the most effective way...

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A short-coated white dog sleeps on a lakeside wooden dock during daytime
Preventive Care

Can Dogs Get Sunburns?

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Can dogs get sunburns? While it’s not as common in dogs as it is in humans, dogs can get sunburned—especially in areas where their coat is thin. The ears, top of the nose, groin, and belly are most at risk, particularly in dogs with white or light-colored coats and/or pink skin. In this article, we’ll...

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A vet examines a sick dog using a stethoscope.
Preventive Care

The Importance of Regular Vet Visits for Your Dog

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Dogs are part of the family, and like any other family member, they need routine medical checkups and preventive care. From vaccinations and parasite prevention to early detection of diseases, regular visits to the veterinary clinic are essential for your dog’s health. In this article, we’ll explain what happens during a routine veterinary checkup and...

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A brown dog with large ears sits on a wood floor, surrounded by dog toys.
Preventive Care

Dog Toy Safety Tips

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Toys are important parts of your dog’s life. They provide enrichment, exercise, an outlet for teething, and—most importantly—fun! But dog toys can also pose potential safety hazards. Keep your dog safe and avoid potential injuries with these dog toy safety tips. General dog toy safety tips Always inspect new toys before giving them to your dog....

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A dog receives first aid care at home, as a person wraps a gauze bandage around their front leg.
Preventive Care

Dog First Aid and Preparing for Emergencies

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Emergencies can strike at any time. Being prepared with a dog first aid kit and an emergency plan can help you respond to unexpected injuries, accidents, or natural disasters. In some cases, it may even be lifesaving. How to make a dog first aid kit Many of the items commonly found in a family first...

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A brown short-coated dog with open mouth, showing their tongue and teeth
Preventive Care

How the Bacteria in Your Dog’s Mouth Affect Their Oral Health

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There are hundreds of bacteria in a dog’s mouth. The mouth offers an ideal environment for bacteria, providing a stable temperature, moisture, and nutrients. It is home to many microbial communities, which coat a dog’s teeth, tongue, gums, and palate (the roof of the mouth). These bacteria can have either a helpful or harmful effect...

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A fluffy golden dog stands in profile view looking to the left. Looking at a dog from the top and from the side can help you measure their body condition score.
Preventive Care

All About Body Condition Score in Dogs

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Wondering if your dog may be under- or overweight? Every dog’s ideal weight is different. A body condition score is a tool that you can use in between vet visits to monitor your dog’s weight and help them stay in a healthy range. What is a body condition score in dogs? A body condition score...

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A German Shepherd Dog uses a custom wheelchair for mobility support, as they walk across a dirt path..
Preventive Care

Vet-Approved Mobility Support Tools for Dogs

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Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning that Embark may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. All linked products have been reviewed by a veterinarian.  There are many reasons why a dog may require extra mobility support when getting up or walking: recovery from back or leg surgery, weakness or muscle loss...

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An Australian Shepherd dog sniffs for treats hidden in a snuffle mat made of blue and yellow fabric strips. Puzzle toys, such as snuffle mats, are one way to provide mental stimulation for dogs.
Preventive Care

7 Ways to Provide Mental Stimulation for Dogs

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If you have a dog, you probably invest a lot of resources into caring for their physical health. Your dog’s behavioral health is just as important. Like humans, dogs have complex emotional and social needs. Appropriate mental stimulation for dogs can support their overall behavioral health, giving them a way to exercise their brains as well as...

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Preventive Care

What Your Dog’s Poop Can Tell You

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There’s more to dog poop than scooping. Although it may not be your favorite topic to think about, your dog’s stool can reveal a lot about their health. Sending a stool sample from your dog for analysis can tell you a few things about their gut health, like whether the bacteria that make up their...

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A black and brown dog lying down, facing the camera and resting their head on the floor.
Preventive Care

What To Do If Your Dog Has Diarrhea

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Sometimes diarrhea is actually a normal response. It can be an effective way for the body to purge itself of a toxin or pathogen. But sometimes, especially if it lasts for more than 48 hours, diarrhea can be a sign of an underlying health problem.  What’s really going on when your dog has diarrhea? How...

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Preventive Care

Signs of Allergies in Dogs: Types and What to Look For

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Like humans, dogs can have allergic reactions, too. The signs of allergies in dogs can vary broadly. At first glance, you might not know if your dog has seasonal allergies, food allergies, or something else. Not all allergies show up the same way. ‌Understanding the signs of allergies in dogs can help reveal possible solutions,...

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