Pit bulls are a generally healthy breed, especially when fed a healthy diet. Some Pit Bull health problems do occur unfortunately. Pit bulls have a high tolerance for pain and may suffer silently.
Bookmark this guide to help you pick up the early warning signals. Your dog may be having some health issues that need to be dealt with promptly. The most common health issues you may experience with your dog are highlighted first. Less common diseases like hip dysplasia can be found also.
Infections
Pit bulls can suffer from many potential infections – on their skin, in their teeth or eyes, in their ears etc. Ear infections are very common and are often due to a foreign body or bacteria making its way inside.
Infections are easy to get. And nothing can turn into something quickly. Luckily, the chance of infections worsening can be greatly reduced with quick routine hygiene and maintenance.
- Check your pit bulls ears often for swelling, excess moisture, or dirt or discoloration.
- Check his eyes for foreign bodies, any swelling, discoloration etc.
- Brush his skin and coat to keep it free from fleas & ticks.
- Keep your dogs nails short with an infection to avoid scratching
- Wash your pit bull regularly (1-2x/mo) as well as brushing their teeth and hair.
This helps to avoid any potential bacteria growth, tick infestation, skin problems and unnecessary money spent.
Dog Allergies
There are dozens of allergies your pit bull can get including food, skin and environment. Allergies from fleas are extremely common especially from heavy exposure to wooded areas. Regular checkups at the vet will help immensely as well as taking any flea medication they may recommend, especially if your dog is prone to allergies.
Always look your dog over especially after outdoor exposure. Brushing your dog’s hair is a great preventative measure as well as checking its eyes, nose, ears skin etc.
Food Allergy
If you think your dog has a food allergy, read the ingredients of the dog food you have been using. Find a new dog food that eliminates the main ingredients of your current one. Opt for a more natural or organic dog food. Orijen is pretty awesome.
Skin Allergy
If your dog has a skin allergy, the treatment really depends on the type and severity. For severe allergies you may seek an injection from your vet.
If you don’t think your dog’s allergies warrant an expensive trip to the vet you can try a few things.
Supplements like Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil has been known to improve your dog’s skin and coat overall. There are also sprays and wipes for hot spots. Other supplements include probiotics and chews.
When your dog’s skin allergies are persistent…
You will have to inspect your dog closely. Minimum once a day, the last time he comes in for the night. More often would be better.
You’ll want to keep your dog’s coat clean and free of ticks. Keep the coat at a manageable length. Keep it clean and moisturized.
Use coconut oil or something actually natural or organic. A balm works well. No fragrance-y or chemically topicals.
Diabetes
Unfortunately, your pit bull’s health problems can be severe where they can develop diabetes. Rich foods that are in excess of fat and sugar can lead to problems with your pit bull’s pancreas which may then bring on the onset of diabetes.
A pit bull’s diet should consist of healthy dog foods that are appropriate for your pit bull’s size, age and weight. Although tempting, pit bulls should not eat table food, they should eat pit bull food.
If you must, keep the table food down to a minimum. It can be difficult saying no while they sit there whining and begging but just try to keep in mind that it is the best thing for them.
Hip Dysplasia
This occurs in pit bulls as well as other breeds when the leg bone and the hip bone don’t fit together as well as they should. This leads to joint pain and arthritis. Several factors can contribute to your pit bull developing hip dysplasia.
Making sure you get your pit bull puppy from a certified breeder who submits x-rays to the appropriate agencies, will vastly reduce the occurrence of hip dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia can not only be blamed on genetics. It’s our responsibility to minimize the actions leading to dog health problems. We must be sure that our dog food is of a healthy nature in order to maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity
Pit bulls are strong, active and muscular and when they are hungry, they are hungry! Making the right to choice to not over feed or table feed your pit bull will be the greatest step in avoiding one of the largest health concerns – obesity. Make sure they are getting a healthy dog food.
Obesity among dogs is a common health problem because it is very easy to achieve. Inappropriate feeding and lack of exercise will easily do the trick.
Obesity can lead to higher rates of heart disease, liver disease, tumors and eventually death. Give your Pit the appropriate pit bull food along with minimal table food and exercise and obesity can easily be avoided.
Additional Pit Bull Health Problem information…
Pit Bull Skin Problems – Many Pit Bull owners have complained of frequent skin problems that occur more so in pit bulls than numerous other breeds. Visit this page to learn how to inspect, diagnose and treat…
Pit Bull Rash – You may notice a pit bull rash occurring frequently on your pit bull’s skin. There are several reasons this can occur. They appear to be more complaints about a Blue Nose Pit bull rash than Pits of other colors…
Pit Bull Scratching – If your pit bull is scratching himself constantly, it requires immediate intervention. Pit bulls are prone to skin infections which…
Dog Eye Infections – Unlike many breeds that are plagued with lid and retinal infections, pit bulls are not notorious for these types of eye conditions. Like all dogs however, they…
