The Belgian Malinois, also known as the "Mali" or "Malinois", is one of the four types of Belgian Shepherd dogs and is the only one with short hair. It is an ancient breed with a good obedience, enduring excitement, high alertness, sensitive sense of smell, brave, strong attack power, high desire to fetch, good jumping ability, and strong adaptability. Due to its outstanding law enforcement performance, it is favored by police and military forces around the world.
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1. Heart disease
Dog heart disease is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, and by the time the owner notices it, the dog is already very sick.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once they become sick, they will show symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, we have to mention kidney disease. The terrifying thing about dog kidney disease is the unconscious process of the disease. By the time the owner discovers it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells have already been damaged. When dogs have problems, common symptoms are blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, depression, diarrhea, presence of worms in feces, and pale gums. Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart, and dogs infected with it will show symptoms such as poor vitality, coughing, anemia, asthma, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral flu, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and fever are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the dog is born and relies mainly on the mother's milk. The body cannot regulate its temperature and needs the mother's warmth. There is no hearing or vision in the first day, only relying on weak touch to find the nipple. The eyes open around 13 days and hearing develops around 15 days. Teething starts around 20 days. From 21 to 28 days, the mother's milk is not enough, and the transition from liquid food to semi-solid food is needed. Digestive problems like diarrhea and constipation are common during this time, so lactase, probiotics, or goat milk powder/pet milk should be given. For constipation while consuming milk powder, a small amount of vegetable oil can be fed and massaging the abdomen can help with defecation. Deworming starts at 14-28 days.
Early age: 1 month to 2 months. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed at this time, so it needs careful care from the owner. Generally, it should be fed at least 3 times a day, with smaller meals according to the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, as it can lead to poor digestion. Make sure the puppy drinks plain water and avoid giving milk, as it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can be given daily to regulate the intestines. The puppy's resistance to viruses and bacteria is weak at this stage, so it should not be taken out and should not come into contact with cold patients to prevent the dog from getting sick. Immunization starts at 6-7 weeks old, and the immunization ends at 3 months old. It is best to bathe the puppy after immunization. Dry shampoo can be used for early baths. Teething starts at 19-28 days, and all milk teeth grow out by 2 months old. It has some learning ability and can start training for toilet training.
Adolescence: 3 months to 6 months. At this time, the puppy can gradually transition to eating dry dog food and the eating time should be gradually adjusted to be more regular. The puppy should still eat dog food and drink plain water. However, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly at this time, so it needs a lot of protein and calcium. The puppy's fur also gradually changes to adult fur, which is a critical period for coat quality and may appear awkward. Additionally, the puppy develops a dominant period and starts to establish its own territory and dominate the owner. Destructive ability increases. The puppy's body length and height develop rapidly, so it needs daily exercise to maintain its growth.
Sexual maturity: 8 months to 14 months. At this time, the dog enters sexual maturity and has its first heat. The first heat can cause hormonal imbalances and hormonal disorders. Continuous heat, no heat, or false pregnancy can lead to low fertility rate and high difficulty in delivery. It needs to be supplemented with nutrients that promote reproduction, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. It is important to note that the first heat should not be bred, and hygiene should be maintained during the heat to prevent infection. If not intended for breeding, spaying can be done after the heat ends.
Juvenile: 6 months to 10 months, 6 months to 18 months. At this time, the dog can eat dry dog food completely and can also be fed some cooked meat such as beef and chicken to enrich its diet. However, do not give chicken or duck bones to the dog, as it can lead to poor bone development. If necessary (such as poor nutrition, weak physical condition, picky eating, etc.), some nutritional supplements can be given. Choose vitamin, calcium, protein, or hair care supplements based on the dog's actual condition, but do not overdo it. Do not give a large amount of nutritional supplements at once out of pity for the dog. Gradually adjust and nourish it. The dog's bones and muscles grow rapidly at this time, so it needs a lot of protein and calcium. It has a strong curiosity and cognitive ability with deep memories. This is the best period for learning.
Adult: 1 year old to 6 years old. The dog is considered an adult at 1 year old and its body size will not change much after that. At this stage, it is normal to eat dog food and there are no strict dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement nutrients appropriately, avoid giving chicken or duck bones, avoid salty and spicy foods, feed cooked food instead of raw food, and avoid eating animal fat. If the dog catches a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to a veterinary hospital in a timely manner. Self-medication should be avoided unless you are a veterinarian. You should always take responsibility for your beloved pet.
Old age: 8 years to 18 years. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to being over 50 years old in human age and should enter the "old age" stage of life. At this time, the dog's organs function decline, and it may experience aging-related diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney function decline, and bone and joint diseases. It is prone to diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, high blood pressure, fractures, and arthritis. Therefore, it is particularly important to supplement with calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage or use calcium supplements for dogs available in the market. Expose the dog to more sunlight and take it for walks. Pay attention to hygiene and believe that you can spend more time with your dog.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, and in winter it can be reduced by one or two times. However, in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn, when seasonal shedding is more severe. To promote good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use specialized brushes for pets to help dogs clean naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting a dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. During sunbathing, pet owners can let their dogs exercise a bit, which can improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from a dog's body, depriving them of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is necessary. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Deworming medication can cause significant damage to a dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is recommended to supplement with probiotics to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have a beautiful coat, dogs must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to their daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a suitable and nutritious brand that meets the dog's needs; on the other hand, provide the dog with an appropriate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and plant oils, etc.
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