Professional Diploma in Dog Care, Grooming

and Nutrition

Let’s dig into it

Module 1 Lesson 2

Summary Notes
 2 www.shawacademy.com

Contents

3 Introduction

3 Lesson outcomes

3 7 Dog groups

6 Common dog skin issues

10 Tick removal method

10 Common dog illnesses

11 Worms in dogs

12 Common dog diseases

14 Dog nutrition

16 What can and can’ dogs eat

18 Conclusion

18 Additional resources

18 References

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

3 www.shawacademy.com

Lesson outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Identify the 7 different dog groups

• Identify common dog skin problem
• Gain knowledge on common dog illnesses and diseases
• Gain basic knowledge on dog nutrition

Practical lesson outcome : Classification of the various dog groups and the ability to identify common skin issues, dog
illnesses and diseases.

Introduction
With the vast amount of knowledge that you are going to obtain throughout this course you will be able to start a new
career path in various dog related fields.

This new understanding that you will gain does not necessarily need to be used for a career path but simply to gain overall
knowledge for your passion and love for dogs.

7 Dog Groups
Dogs are classified according to their size, shape, function, and
temperament.
The seven classified groups are:

• Herding
• Sporting
• Non-Sporting
• Working
• Hounds
• Terriers
• Toy breeds

Herding Group
The name says it all. These dogs are normally used for herding livestock and assisting with other farm duties.
Herding dogs needs a lot of space to run and requires exercise daily. If they do not get rid of their energy, they can become
frustrated and start to dig or jump fences. Some of the dog breeds that fits under this category would be the Australian
Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Old English Sheepdogs, German Shepard, Collie, Bouvier Des Flandres
among others. Should you enjoy jogging and are one of those active outdoor types, then a herding dog would suit you
perfectly. Just remember most herding dogs have double coats which involves a lot of maintenance when it comes to
grooming. We will discuss coat types later in the course.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

4 www.shawacademy.com

Sporting Group
Dogs in the Sporting Group are naturally alert and are often used for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. They
have great instincts and are able to use their talents for activities like tracking.
There are four basic types of sporting dogs which are:
• Spaniels
• Retrievers
• Pointers
• Setters

These dogs are good swimmers and have well-insulated water repellant coats. They are likeable and good, well-rounded
companions. Like the herding groups, sporting dogs needs a lot of exercise and preferably daily. Should you enjoy the
outdoors and a lot of exercise, this will be your perfect match!

Non-Sporting Group
Non-sporting dogs’ purpose is anything except sporting and to work. They are mostly bred to be companions. They are
excellent watch and housedogs. They range in size and appearance. Would you like to have a cuddly pooch that never
leaves your side, the true companion, then this could be the choice to consider.
Some of the breeds in this group include:
• American Eskimo Dog
• Dalmatian
• Chow Chow
• Shar-Pei
• French Bulldog

Working Group
This group of canine hard workers won’t mind lending you a paw, or four.
Working dogs are bred to assist humans with different tasks such as pulling sleds, protecting their owners, guarding
property, and even some police and rescue work.

They are normally large in size and very strong which enables them to do their job. These dogs require a lot of space due to
their own body size. They are intelligent, alert and watchful.

They make wonderful companions but because they are large, and naturally protective, prospective owners need to know
how to properly train and socialize the dog.

Some of the working group breeds:

• St. Bernard, Bernese mountain dog
• Giant Schnauzer
• Mastiffs
• Great Danes

Hound Group
Hounds are most typically used for tracking because they have a fantastic sense of smell.
Most of these breeds have long, drooping ears and it is speculated that this helps to collect scent from the ground and
keep it near the dog's face and nose.

They also have large nostrils which gives them more time to smell and their typically loose, moist lips are said to assist in
trapping scent particles.
If you enjoy hunting or do tracking for a sport, then I would suggest getting a hound to assist you on your adventures.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

5 www.shawacademy.com

Some breeds that would fall under the Hound category would be:
• Beagle
• Basset Hound
• Bloodhound
• Greyhound
• Norwegian Elkhound

Terrie Group
Terriers are very feisty, energetic, impatient, and sometimes even stubborn. Being an owner myself of a Scottish terrier,
they can be a challenging breed. There are 25 different breeds in the Terrier class that are recognized breeds by the AKC
(American Kennel Club).

Terriers were bred to dig and catch vermin. They vary in size from the fairly small Scottish terrier to the large Airedale
Terrier.

Should you like to take part in dog shows, it is important to know that the coat must be hand stripped when groomed.
Hand stripping is a grooming process that involves removing dead hairs from the coat by hand or hand stripping
equipment, instead of clipping to keep the coat tidy and healthy.
The reason for this is to maintain the coat in its natural form. When you shave a terrier, the coat will lose the hard/wiry
texture/ “natural form” and will become a soft coat.

Should you wish to hand-strip, you need to start stripping the dog from a young age so that their skins can get used to it.
Starting with hand-stripping at a later stage can be very painful for an older dog.

Some of the breeds that fit into the Terrier group includes:
• Scottish Terrier
• Airedale Terrier
• Bull Terriers,
• West Highland Terrier
• Fox Wire Terrier

Terriers make great pets, but they do require determination when training on the part of the owner because of their
stubbornness, but they have amazing personalities and are very loyal.

Definitely my favourite breed by far.

Toy Group
Have you ever heard the saying “dynamite comes in small packages”?

That is the perfect description for our next group the Toy Group. They might be small in size but definitely do not have
small personalities. Toy breeds are intelligent, energetic, affectionate and have protective instincts.

They tend to live longer that other breeds due to their size and normally weigh between 4 – 16 pounds. If you live in an
apartment or have a small garden, then the toy breeds will be perfect for you. They do not require a lot of space to roam
due to their size and are very adaptable to various lifestyles.

Some toy breeds are as follow:

• Maltese
• Pomeranian
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Chinese Crested

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

6 www.shawacademy.com

• Pekingese

Dog Skin Issues

A dog’s care, nutrition and grooming routine plays an important role in keeping a
dog’s skin and coat in a good and healthy condition.

Folliculitis
Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicles often caused by bacteria. Folliculitis can occur due to the dog having an
underlining skin condition that causes the hair follicles to become inflamed.

Signs of folliculitis depending on the cause and severity are:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Itching
• Pimples
• Hair loss
• Hyperpigmentation
• Black heads
• Pain around the infected area

To treat this skin issue can be hard so your veterinarian will need to do a few tests to determine appropriate treatment.

Impetigo
Impetigo is more common in puppies than in adult dogs because their immune system is not fully developed or due to
living in unhealthy areas when as a pup. Impetigo appear on the dog’s stomach or sometimes on the chin.

Signs of Impetigo are:

• Small areas filled with puss
• Which looks like blister that breaks
• Form a crust
• Circular areas of scaling skin
• Impetigo is rarely serious and can be treated

Ringworm
Despite its name, it is not a worm but a fungus that is highly contagious to other animals and humans. Ringworm is circular
areas of hair loss and most commonly found on a dog’s head, ears, and front legs.

Signs of ringworm are:

• Circular areas of hair loss
• Dry, brittle hair
• Scabby, inflamed skin
• Rough, brittle claws

Ringworm spreads through direct contact with the fungus for example when a dog comes in contact with an infected
animal or touches contaminated objects like furniture, bedding, combs or carpet. Seek immediate treatment from a
veterinarian when your dog presents these signs.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

7 www.shawacademy.com

Yeast Infection (Malassezia Dermatitis)

A dog’s skin is a host to many bacteria and fungi. It is kept under control by the dog’s healthy immune system, if the
immune system is suppressed it could lead to infections. Yeast infections like to occur in warm and hard to reach places of
a dog, for example the ear canal, between the dog’s toes and groin area.

Signs of yeast infection:

• Itchy and redness of the skin
• Musty odour
• Scale and crusty, flaky skin
• Thickened skin
• Hyperpigmentation (darkly pigmented skin)
• Chronic or recurrent ear infections

Mange
Mange is a severe skin condition caused by several species of mites that live on the dog’s hair and skin.
The highly contagious mites burrows into the skin, causing rashes, itching and hair loss. In server cases it could cause
problems with the immune system.

There are 2 main types of mange:

Demodectic mange: caused by the demodex mite which tends to affect dogs under one year old and older dogs with
another underlying condition.
Sarcoptic mange caused by sarcoptic mites, which is an intensely itchy condition and is often first seen on the dog’s ears.
Symptoms of mange include hair loss on the face and legs, along with severe itching and redness around the affected
areas.

Signs of Mange:
• Hair loss especially on the face and legs
• Severe itchiness
• Redness around infected area
• Sores and lesions
• Scabby, crusty or scaly skin

Dandruff
Like humans, dogs can get dandruff or ‘scuff’. Dandruff is dead skin cells that can be caused by their diets, by not getting
enough nutrients or it could be an identification of an underlying problem, like an infection. Some dog experience dry skin
in winters but it can easily be treated by adding high-quality source of protein, omega 3 or 6 fatty acids or by using anti-
dandruff shampoos which could be purchased at your vet. As mentioned in lesson 1, frequent brushing can assist in
removing the dead skin cells.

Signs of dandruff:
• Lots of visible dead skin flakes
• Itching or discomfort
• Redness of skin
• Odour

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

8 www.shawacademy.com

Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease which means the body’s immune system attacks its own cells.
There are two variations of Lupus in canine breeds.
• Lupus erythematosus (DLE) also called -Collie nose
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
DLE affects the skin normally around the nose and face.

Signs of DLE:
• Discoloration of the skin on the nose, normally a paler colour
• Redness of the skin, especially, nose and lips
• Sores
• Scaring
• Itching of affected areas

SLE is very serious and can be life- threatening. Treatment needs to occur immediately. SLE can affect any area of the body
making the symptoms vary from which body part is affected. SLE is where the immune system starts attracting the body’s
tissue and cells.

Signs of SLE:
• Muscles pain and stiffness
• Arthritis
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Hair loss
• Mouth ulcers
• Seizures
• Increased urination and thirst
• Enlarged liver, kidneys and spleen
A proper diagnosis from a veterinarian is required for both SLE and DLE.

Ticks and Fleas

Ticks and fleas are not a skin disease or illness, but the bite of a tick or flea can have a severe effect on a dog’s skin. Ticks
and fleas affect your dog’s skin by biting and sucking their blood. A flea is a jumping, wingless insect that feeds on the
blood of mammals, like dogs and they can transmit diseases through their bite.

Flea saliva enters the body and can cause an allergic response which irritates your pet’s skin, causing them to itch. Some
dogs are extremely allergic to fleas. The flea’s saliva causes the dog’s skin to get red, inflamed, and will be very itchy,
causing the dog to scratch profusely or in severe cases the fur can fall out in patches.

Signs of fleas:
• Continuous scratching
• Redness of the skin
• Biting and chewing at skin
• Hair loss
• Scabs

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

9 www.shawacademy.com

Here are some flea preventions:

• Topical flea repellent products (liquid or gel applied to your pet’s skin) available at your local veterinarian
• Oral flea repellent products (taken as a pill or treat) available at your local veterinarian
• Flea collars
• Frequent visits to the groomer
• Regular brushing

Ticks are external parasites, like the flea it lives by feeding on the blood of mammals. A tick’s bite can lead to Tick Bite
Fever which causes the following symptoms for dogs:
• High fever
• Loss of appetite
• Bleeding of the nose of gums
• Vomiting & diarrhea
• Coughing
• Excessive salivary flow

Signs of ticks:
• A Lump- Ticks bury their mouth-parts in the skin to feed, leaving their round bottoms visible
• Wobbly walk- A tick venom causes an ascending paralysis in the dog
• Loss of appetite
• Coughing or difficulty in breathing- the venom of a tick weakens the respiratory muscle
• Difficulty standing- As tick paralysis progresses it affects all limbs and causes generalised weakness, making it
difficult for dogs to stand

To prevent ticks making your canine friend feel horrible try the following preventions:
• Do daily tick inspections
• After walks outdoors check your dog for ticks
• Purchase tick prevention product from your local vet
• Keep your lawns grass short
• Visit the groomer regularly- about once a month

Common areas for ticks are:

• In and around the ears
• Around the eyelids
• Around the tail
• Under the collar
• Under the front legs
• Between the back legs
• Between the toes

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

10 www.shawacademy.com

Tick removal methods

Have a look at the two images.
You can use the Tick remover stick or the tweezer:

Tick Removal Tweezers

Stick

The tick removal stick works as follow. You place the tick in the open section, twits the stick and pull upwards.

If you are going to remove the tick by using tweezers do it as follow.

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Make sure you grasp the head/mouth
part. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the head/mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens,
remove the mouth-parts with tweezers.

Common Dog Illnesses

For some people, like myself, our dogs are like our children and we hate to see our children ill.
It is important be able to identify common illnesses in dogs and know what symptoms to look out for so that you can seek
medical advice and treatment as soon as possible.

First off, what is the difference between a dog illness and a dog disease? A dog illness is something that needs to be
managed for example pain, distress of weakness. A dog disease is something that needs to be cured.

Dog illnesses:
• Ear infections - Can be caused by allergies, yeast, ear mites and deep hair growth in the ear canal
• Itchy skin - We have discussed the various skin disorders in the previous slides
• Dental diseases - For example gum disease that is caused by a build-up of plague. Some symptoms of gum
disease are bleeding or red gums, loose teeth, and bad breath to name a few
• Gastroenteritis/ Stomach inflammation - Occurs when there is infection or inflammation of stomach.
Symptoms are intense vomiting and diarrhea. This can be treated by medication or surgery
• Arthritis - Is inflammation or swelling around the joints. It causes pain and stiffness for the dog, resulting in
difficulty to move and limping
• Urinary problems - Can happen due to the bladder being inflamed which is cause by a bacterial infection

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

11 www.shawacademy.com

• Obesity - Symptoms of a dog being obese is they will breath heavily or have difficulty breathing while walking and
the inability to tolerate heat or exercise. Causes of obesity is overfeeding, a wrong diet, not enough exercise or
hormonal issues
• Hip Dysplasia - Symptoms of Hip dysplasia is pain when moving, lack of mobility, whining. Hip dysplasia is
caused by the deterioration of the hip joint
• Kennel Cough - Is highly contagious and is associated most often with dogs staying in a boarding kennel. Sings of
Kennel cough is a high pitched or honking cough, followed by retching. The dog owner can treat the illness by
medication

Worms in dogs
The thought of your dog having worms is quite displeasing, but your dog or puppy has had worms at some point in their
lives. Don’t worry, worms can easily be treated by safe de-worming drugs which you can purchase from your local vet. I
would recommend deworming your dog every 4 to 6 months to prevent dogs from contracting worms. Most puppies are
born with worms which is contracted by their mother’s milk, while other dogs can contract worms in the follow manner:
• Eating worm eggs or larva which can be found in soil
• Eating infested rodents, birds, or other animals
• Contract worms when grooming themselves (roundworm eggs can attach to a dog’s coat)
• Swallowing fleas (fleas carry tapeworm larvae)
• Mosquitoes (heartworms)

Types of worms
• Roundworms - Can be identified as a spaghetti-like shapes in the feces or, in severe cases, in vomit
• Tapeworms - Pieces of a tapeworm can be seen in faeces or on your dog’s bottom, they look like grains of rice
• Hookworms and Whipworms – Transmitted to puppies through the mother’s milk or just the environment
• Lungworms – Effects the lungs and lives in the blood vessels. Dogs can attract lungworm by eating slugs and
snails
• Heartworms - Parasites that live in your dog’s heart, damaging his heart, blood vessels and lungs if the dog gets
infected.

Symptoms of worms:
• Visible in dog’s faeces, vomit or on their bottom(tapeworms)
• Weakness and depression
• Diarrhoea or vomiting
• Weight loss despite a good appetite
• An abnormally swollen stomach

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

12 www.shawacademy.com

Common Dog Diseases

Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is extremely contagious viral disease
that is transmitted through airborne exposure or contact
like shared food bowls. Another name for canine
distemper is hardpad disease because it hardens dogs’
noses and footpads, some symptoms are runny eyes,
fever, coughing, vomiting, paralysis.

Canine Parvovirus is also very contagious and is most of

the time fatal because it spread easily and is hard to kill
once it reaches the dogs organs. Parvo can infect dogs
that come in contact with the fecal matter of a sick dog.
The virus attacks cell’s in a dog’s intestine and stop them
of absorbing any nutrients.
Symptoms of Parvo are fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea,
dehydration, weight loss. To protect a dog against Parvo
yearly vaccinations are needed.

Heartworm are parasites that live in your dog’s heart,

damaging his heart, blood vessels and lungs if the dog
gets infected.
Heart worms are transmitted by mosquitoes.
You dog will show the following symptoms if infected with
Heartworms coughing, respiratory problems, bulging ribs,
weight loss. The good news is that this disease is fully
treatable.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

13 www.shawacademy.com

Rabies is caused by the rabies virus, spread by a bite or

saliva from an infected animal, and fatal once an animal
gets it and starts showing symptoms.
Rabies can easily be spread to humans and that is why
dogs require a yearly rabies vaccination.
Symptoms of rabies include random aggression,
hallucinations (barking/snapping at nothing), non-stop
gnawing at the infected wound, disorientation, fever,
excessive drooling, and vomiting.
Scary I know, therefore yearly vaccinations are so
important for dogs.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that comes from a tick

bites and once it’s in the blood stream, it spreads to the
joints which causes pain for the dog.
If Lyme disease is not treated it could be fatal.
Symptoms include fever, swollen joints, limping, loss of
appetite, lethargy and/or depression, kidney problem.

Kidneys are very important because they remove waste

substances from the blood and maintain the normal
balance of minerals within the body.
Any condition which damages the kidneys is referred to as
a kidney disease.
In some cases, dogs may show early warning signs of
kidney disease.
Kidney disease A.K.A the ‘silent killer’ because signs of the
disease only appear after 75% of the kidneys’ function has
already been lost.
Signs of kidney disease are increased thirst and urine
production, decreased appetite, weight loss, bad breath,
vomiting and diarrhea, sore mouth, weakness and
increased sleeping

Cancer
Just like humans’ dogs can develop different types of
cancer like Bladder Cancer, Liver Cancer, Stomach Cancer,
Testicular Cancer, Thyroid Cancer Melanoma (Skin
Cancer) just to name a few. And like humans’ dogs can
also be treated for their type of cancer. Early detection is
key to treating cancer in dogs. Here are some warning
signs to look out for abnormal swelling, sores that don’t
heal, loss of appetite & weight, difficulty eating or
swallowing, weakness, stiffness, difficulty breathing and
urinating.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

14 www.shawacademy.com

Diabetes is when the glucose-insulin connection is not

working correctly. There are two types of Diabetes in dogs,
Insulin-deficiency diabetes which is when the dog does
not produce enough insulin and Insulin-resistance
diabetes is when the pancreas produce some insulin, but
the body isn’t utilizing the insulin as it should.
Communication between the cells and insulin is not
correct, which leads to glucose not being pulled out of the
blood and into the cells. Overall symptoms of diabetes are
excessive thirst, increased urination, weight loss but
increased appetite. Advanced signs are loss of appetite,
lack of energy, depression and vomiting.

Dog Nutrition
Having a healthy diet is not only important for a human but also a dog. A balanced diet is critically important to your dog’s
cell maintenance and growth and overall health. Whether a dog eats a commercial dog food or a prepared home meal, it is
important to understand the fundamentals of a dog nutrition. There are 6 main nutrients groups which is protein, fats,
carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. We will now take a closer look at each nutrient group and why it is
important for your canine friend.

Protein
The basic requirement for life is energy. Along with fats and carbohydrates, protein is a macronutrient which supplies
energy to the body. Not only does protein provide energy to the body but it also assists with the maintenance of fur and
hair.

Proteins is necessary to make hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes and antibodies that keep the body functioning
optimally. Dogs must receive the essential amino acids from diet, as their bodies cannot produce them at the required
levels. Because the body can’t store protein, it needs a constant dietary supply. But how do I make sure that my dog is
getting enough protein?

Protein can be supplied by:

• Lean muscle meat like beef
• lamb
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Fish
• Egg
• Bean
• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Potatoes
• Peas
• Rice
• Oatmeal

Premium dog food manufacturers make sure they implement some of the mentioned protein sources into their products.
Speak to your veterinarian to recommend a good, health dog food brand which is suitable for your dog.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

15 www.shawacademy.com

Fats
Like protein, fats are also a macro nutrient made up from fatty acids. Fats are either saturated fats (which are butter,
cheese, meat) or polyunsaturated (fish oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil) or monounsaturated (olive oil).

Fat supplies the most concentrated source of energy, with more than twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates.
It also provides essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid which helps to protects the internal organs, regulates body
temperature, assist with having a healthy nervous system.
Healthy fat help prevent the following health issues:
• Dry, dull, brittle, itchy skin and coat
• Inflammation and Chronic Inflammation Disease caused by trans fats
• Allergies
• Immune System Dysfunctions (autoimmune conditions)
• Arthritis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Omega-3 improves the skin and coat of the dog and is benefitting the overall immune system of the dog.
Source of healthy fats are in meat, low-mercury fish or fish oils, Flaxseed and hempseed.

Too many fats can lead to weight gain and obesity so make sure when you give your dog fatty food that most of the fat is
trimmed of.

Carbohydrates
Although carbohydrates are not an essential nutrient for dogs, because their bodies can get energy from protein and fats
alone, carbohydrates can be broken down by the digestive system and converted to glucose which can also be a source of
energy. Healthy carbohydrates supply important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants.
Source of Carbohydrates are dog-friendly vegetables and fruit for example potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, cauliflower,
bananas, apples to name a few.

Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds (meaning that they contain carbon) that are required in small quantities for proper
metabolic function. Vitamins play a variety of critical roles, including, regulating calcium and phosphorus levels (Vit D),
boosting the immune system (Vit A), serving as antioxidants (Vit C and Vit E), and maintaining nervous system function ( Vit
B12).
Source of vitamins can be found in the following food groups:
• Vit A- Carrots, spinach, liver, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, fish oil, eggs, turnip greens
• Vitamin D- Marine fish oil, fatty fish, egg yolks, liver, beef
• Vitamin E- Plant oils, leafy green vegetables, seeds, wheat germ, bran, whole grains, liver
• Vitamin K-Liver, leafy green vegetables, milk, cabbage, fish
• Vitamin C-Fruits, vegetables, organ meats
• Vitamin B-Whole grains, liver, beans, green vegetables, spirulina, nuts, dairy products

Vitamins
Like vitamins, minerals perform a variety of functions in the body that are essential for the dog which includes the
following:
• For healthy of bones (calcium, phosphorus)
• To carry oxygen throughout the body (iron)
• Wound healing (zinc)
• Regulating fluid balance (sodium, chloride, potassium)

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

16 www.shawacademy.com

Food source that contains these minerals are:

• Calcium-Milk, yogurt, tofu, sardines with bones, raw bones, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower
• Iron-Red meats, fish, poultry, shellfish, eggs, legumes
• Zinc- Spinach, broccoli, yogurt, beef, poultry, whole grains, vegetables
• Potassium, Sodium, and Chloride- Fruits, vegetables, milk

How much water does a dog need per day?

About an ounce of fluids per pound of body weight per day, so a 10-pound dog needs a bit over a cup of clean water daily.
But it also depends on how active the dog is and how hot it is on the day.

What can and cannot dogs eat?

We all battle to resist giving those big, beautiful, begging doggy eyes a little treat, but can a little treat hurt your dog?
We will discuss what is safe for a dog to eat and what could be deadly and should not be consumed by your dog.

Food your dog should not eat:

Xylitol
Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods contains with xylitol. It can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause
liver failure and seizures.

Avocado
Avocado have something called Persin. too much might cause vomiting or diarrhea in dogs. Avocado is not deadly, but it
could make your fur baby very ill, so rather avoid giving it to your dog.

Alcohol
Alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain that it has on people. But just a little bit of alcohol can hurt your dog.
Consumption of alcohol can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, breathing problems, coma, even death.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic in any form is very bad dangerous for a do. They can kill his red blood cells, causing anemia.
Eating a lot just at once can cause poisoning.
Signs will include weakness, vomiting, and breathing problems.

Caffeine
Caffeine can be fatal.
Some owner gives their dog some coffee and chocolate as a treat, dogs are different from human and just too much cocoa,
chocolate, caffeine can be deadly.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog sick.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

17 www.shawacademy.com

Milk and milk-based products

Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems for your dog. Dogs are also prone to
develop food allergies when consuming a lot of dairy products.

Macadamia Nuts
Just six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog sick.
Symptoms will include muscle shakes, vomiting, high temperature, and weakness in his back legs.

Chocolate
As mentioned before chocolate is bad for dogs. The problem in chocolate is theobromine, which is present in all kinds of
chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous types are dark chocolate.
Too much consumption of chocolate will cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea. Constant chocolate consumption could
cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death.

Bones
Bones can also splinter and get stuck in a dog’s throat and can also cause cuts in your dog's digestive system.

Raw Eggs
There is chance of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella.

Raw Meat and Fish

Like raw eggs, raw meat and fish can have bacteria that causes food poisoning.

Salt
Too much salt could lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression,
tremors, high temperature, and seizures. It may even cause death.

Food your dog can eat:

We have discussed some of these food groups during the lesson, but feel free to give your dog the following, remember in
moderation.

Lean Meats
Most dogs are fine eating lean cuts of meat that have been cooked well. Take off all visible fat, including the skin on
poultry. Remove any bones in the meat.

Fresh Fruits
Slices of apples, oranges, bananas, and watermelon make healthy treats but remove any seeds. Seeds, stems, and leaves
can cause serious problems.

Vegetables
Healthy vegetable treats are carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices, or zucchini slices. Even a plain baked potato is
fine but not a raw potato.

Cooked White Rice and Pasta

A serving of plain white rice with some boiled chicken can sometimes make your dog feel better when she's having
stomach problems.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

18 www.shawacademy.com

Conclusion
A dog’s health and nutrition play an important role in caring for a dog. By being able to identify common skin problems,
dog illnesses, and dog diseases you my just safe your dog or a client’s dog’s life. Early detection and professional
treatment of these health problems may lead to the dog living a happy, healthy, and normal life. Having knowledge about
dog nutrition assists you in improving a dog’s overall health and learn what not to feed them. Like humans everything that
you place into your body has an effect and a function, by understanding the function of nutrients you can make sure the
dog gets exactly what his body requires.

Additional resources
• Top 10 common health problems: https://youtu.be/XZ8M6o46KO4

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME

19 www.shawacademy.com

References
• American Kennel Club. 2020. Working Group – American Kennel Club. [online] Available at:
<https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/working/>.
• Sites.google.com. 2020. 7 Groups Of Dogs - Christa's Dog Project. [online] Available at:
<https://sites.google.com/a/westby-norse.org/christa-s-dog-project/7-groups-of-dogs>.
• American Kennel Club. 2020. AKC Groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting,
Herding. [online] Available at: <https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/7-akc-dog-breed-
groups-explained/>.
• American Kennel Club. 2020. Sporting Group – American Kennel Club. [online] Available at:
<https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sporting/>.
• American Kennel Club. 2020. Non-Sporting Group – American Kennel Club. [online] Available at:
<https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/non-sporting/>.
• Ned Hardy. 2020. Why Are Bloodhounds Such Good Tracking Dogs?. [online] Available at:
<https://nedhardy.com/2020/02/29/bloodhounds/>.
• American Kennel Club. 2020. Terrier Group – American Kennel Club. [online] Available at:
<https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/terrier/>.
• American Kennel Club. 2020. Toy Group – American Kennel Club. [online] Available at:
<https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/toy/>.
• Animal Trust. 2020. 10 Most Common Skin Problems In Dogs | Animal Trust. [online] Available at:
<https://www.animaltrust.org.uk/blog/dog-skin-allergies/>.
• Caninejournal.com. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-skin-
problems/>.
• Healthline. 2020. Everything You Need To Know About Impetigo. [online] Available at:
<https://www.healthline.com/health/impetigo>.
• Grobler, K., 2020. Tick Bite Fever. [online] Bergbosvet.co.za. Available at:
<http://www.bergbosvet.co.za/tickbitefever.htm>.
• Hillrose Pet Resort. 2020. The Most Common Dog Illnesses: Symptoms And Treatment. [online]
Available at: <https://www.petresort.com/medical/most-common-dog-illnesses-symptoms-
treatment/>.
• Policygenius.com. 2020. Policygenius. [online] Available at: <https://www.policygenius.com/blog/8-
deadly-dog-diseases/>.
• Hill's Pet Nutrition. 2020. Kidney Disease In Dogs - Dog Diseases | Hill's Pet. [online] Available at:
<https://www.hillspet.co.za/dog-care/healthcare/kidney-disease-in-dogs>.
• Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital. 2020. How Dog Nutrition Affects Quality Of Life | Seven Hills
Veterinary Hospital. [online] Available at: <https://www.7hillsvet.com/services/dogs/dog-nutrition>.

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COURSE NAME