In canine allergic dermatitis, there is a vicious cycle of persistent itching and scratching that may be more common than you think. Recent research has shown that in the US alone, there are approximately 8.2 million medicalized dogs with acute or chronic itch.
What Causes Canine Itch?
Allergies due to fleas, particles in environment such as dust mites, and foods are among the most common triggers of itch, which can be either acute or chronic. One type of allergic disease is atopic dermatitis, which can look very similar to other allergic conditions, making the diagnosis challenging for the veterinarian.
By the time veterinarian is presented with an itchy dog, the owner is usually desperate to find a treatment that is fast, safe, provides relief to the pet, and restores normalcy to the family. For owners of dogs with allergic skin disease, current treatment options have limitations. Treatments may be associated with short-term and long-term side effects or slow onset of action, so pet owners often feel like they are trading one problem for another. A need exists for a new therapeutic approach, which offers quick relief and can be used safely both short-term and long-term.
What are cytokines and Janus Kinase (JAK) enzymes, and how do they contribute to itch?
Historically, allergic skin disease was thought to be a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction mediated by cutaneous mast cells and IgE. However, we now know that cytokines produced by lymphocytes and other cells contribute to canine itch.
Cytokines are secreted signaling proteins that play a key role in cell-to-cell communication; but, their dysregulation can contribute to a variety of diseases. Some cytokines are associated with itch and inflammation, such as those seen in allergic skin disease. When dogs have elevated levels of certain cytokines, they are likely to have itch behavior. Certain itch-inducing, or pruritogenic, cytokines can mediate itching or can signal other cells to release additional mediators of itching and inflammation.
The binding of these cytokines to receptors on the cell surface causes the activation of intracellular enzymes called janus kinase, or JAK, JAK enzymes, in conjunction with cytokine receptors, are integral to cytokine signaling. Activation of JAK enzymes causes a signal to be sent from the cell surface to the nucleus and propagates the signals that lead to inflammatory an pruritic responses. For instance, JAK-1 is involved in the signaling pathway of many cytokines including Interleukin (IL)-31, a recently identified cytokine that plays a key role in canine itch. Activation of JAK-1 can stimulate the production of proteins that transmit signal to the brain to trigger itching and inflammation of the skin.
Specialized Dog Supplements May be the Answer.
There remains a need for a novel therapeutic approaches that provide fast, safe, and effective control of itching and inflammation associated with allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis throughout the lifetime of the dog. New therapies that target JAK-1 may decrease the activity of pruritogenic and pro-inflammatory cytokines, rapidly stopping the continuous cycle of itch and inflammation without the side effects seen with current therapies. Breaking the itch cycle will also give the veterinarian time to diagnose the underlying cause of the itch while allowing the dog’s skin to heal. Ultimately, this will help improve the quality of life for the dogs and their owners.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an abdominal gland that produces hormones such as insulin, along with enzymes to digest food. The pancreas is long flat gland that lies behind the dog’s stomach. The organ is part of the endocrine system that contains several glands in various parts of the dog’s body. The dog’s pancreas has two main functions: first, produce digestive juices and enzymes that help break down fats, carbohydrates and proteins (pancreatic exocrine function). The juices and enzymes are then transported through a small duct that opens into the duodenum. Second, it secretes the hormones inulin and glucagon into the blood-stream, along with somatostatin, another hormone that helps regulate their function. The primary role of insulin and glucagon is to regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes leak into the pancreas, causing it to digest itself. The underlying cause of the leakage is unknown, though certain risk factors can make pancreatitis more likely. Dogs can suffer from acute pancreatitis, where symptoms manifest suddenly, or from a chronic form that recurs over time; cases can range from mild to life-threatening. Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly, when digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas remain and activate in the pancreas, irritating and inflaming delicate pancreatic tissues. The symptoms of acute pancreatitis will dissipate within a few hours and typically resolves spontaneously. Chronic pancreatitis involves tissue destroying inflammation in the organ over several years, although the dog is usually experiencing pain they hide the pain until the pancreas function is impaired causing malabsorption. Malabsorption of nutrients causes weight loss and the passage of fat containing stools that are loose, malodorous and oily in appearance. The appearance of these symptoms is usually is accompanied by visible pain a result of the damaged tissue reaching a certain threshold.

Normally, the digestive enzymes are transported to the duodenum, where they activate. Symptoms include several shared by numerous diseases, however abdominal pain, often exhibited by the dog assuming a hunched position due to the pain severity is a strong indicator of pancreatitis. The pain usually leads to severe vomiting followed by the dog discontinuing to eat or drink.

The canine digestive system is continually stressed by the composition of their domesticated diet. The unhealthy function of the dog’s digestive system renders them susceptible to endocrine linked disease because of the closely related functions of the digestive system and the endocrine system.

Overweight, middle-aged to older dogs are at increased risk, controllable factors in dog’s lifestyle include high fat diet, un treated hyperlipidemia (High fat levels in blood), medications potassium bromide, tetracycline, azathioprine, and cortisone. Digestive related diseases including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and cushing’s syndrome are associated with pancreatitis.

Prevention provides a broad spectrum of benefits to a dog’s health and well-being. The cornerstone to dog’s physical health is the vitality of their digestive process. Disease damages the pancreas and its ability to provide important functions such as insulin production, the unhealthy function can lead to additional diseases including diabetes and mellitus. Adding dog supplements formulated to strengthen a dog digestive process is important for all dogs. Dog supplements containing strong probiotic blends provide the dog’s digestive system the capacity to assimilate the nutrients required for their bodies to function and maintain a healthy state.

The physical condition that causes the common dog to itch, and suffer other skin irritations is commonly labeled allergies. Identifying the primary disease process of canine allergies is essential to developing a treatment plan. Canine allergies involve fundamental differences than human allergies and these differences often create confusion with owners and even animal care professionals . Managing allergic patients typically involves veterinarian care, the profession focuses on exposure to allergens, addressing treatments and treating secondary infections. Stopping the itch is a key first step in allowing the dog’s skin to heal and restoring quality of life for the dog and its owner.

Veterinarian care is typically limited to short office visits requiring the doctor to diagnose and provide a treatment plan that will accomplish the key first step of halting the dog’s excessive itching. Prescribing steroids, and other drugs that suppress a dog’s immune system are the primary approach. The approach is an acute care style of treatment identified as secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness in an attempt to halt the condition’s negative impacts on physical health. The approach rarely considers or attempts to treat the underlying cause or source of the condition. VitaHound’s methodology utilizes the science derived from traditional veterinarian medicine, however their treatment regimens are holistic, addressing all aspects of the disease focusing on the cause. Canine allergies intensely highlight the difference between acute and holistic treatments.

Research as recent as 2012 is providing a new understanding of the reason excessive itching is common in dogs. Dog allergies is a condition that directly effects their skin and coat, and the typical response to irritated skin is to itch and even gnaw and lick creating wounds. The immunologic processes being studied in dog’s that influence allergic disease include the medical science known as neuroimmunology. Neuroimmunology is the study of the interaction between the nervous system and the immune system, and the role it plays in allergies. In particular, it is the study of cytokines. Cytokines are proteins the trigger itching sensation known as neuronal itch and inflammation as opposed to a pure physical condition that triggers dog’s to itch. The reaction of the dog to both types of stimulus is to itch, however reducing neuronal itching triggers helps achieve the above primary objective of first getting a dog to stop itching so their skin can heal.

While powerful medicines can block the release of cytokines, a healthier therapeutic modalities would be to address the source or cause of the cytokine release. VitaHound dog supplements include powerful enzymes that eliminate the stress on the dog’s digestive process the eventually lead to cytokine release.

The pursuit of a longer life for our pets is fostering research activity in areas once considered only for humans. Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinarian Medicine in North Carolina, Mass, establish the first obesity clinic for pets only. This level of study is providing the advanced research required by VitaHound dog nutrition products to develop their advanced formulations for dog supplements.

Tuft’s findings indicate chronic disease is associated with being overweight and obese. One study showed that obese Labrador Retrievers lived fewer years than their thinner siblings. Cancer, respiratory disease, pancreatitis, and dermatological conditions have all been linked to obesity in pets. Losing weight is proven difficult in overweight dogs, nevertheless the importance is equal to the benefits of antibiotics, or vaccinations when treating the conditions that reduce a dog’s health and well-being.
According to a study by Pfizer Animal Health study veterinarians consider 47 percent of their pet patients to be overweight or obese, but only 17 percent of dog owners thought their own pets were overweight or obese. The modern dog is still biologically identical to the wolf, and the physical form of a healthy dog should mirror the leanness of the wolf. To determine your pet’s body condition owner need to feel for the dog’s ribs and spine with gently pressure, the firmness of the dog belly when standing. There are website tools that assist dog owners in determining their dog’s weight circumstance.
Dog owners need to know a basic range of the calories their dog consumes on a daily bases. A good resource for determining the level of calories in your dog’s food brand is the site www.petobesityprevention.com click on food and calories, find the downloadable chart on calorie content of the various dog food brands. It is very important to not simply cut back the amount of food you are feeding without consideration to nutritional requirements of the dog’s physiology. A healthy rate of weight loss is about 2% of body weight per week. Dog owners need to monitor the dog’s energy levels and appearance. The condition of your dog’s skin and coat is a good indicator to whether the dog is assimilating the proper amounts and types of nutrients required to maintain the healthy function of the dog’s various organs.
After you have determined you are providing you dog a healthy diet that is allowing them to lose weight, it is safe to increase their level of exercise. Do not initiate increased levels of exercise until you are sure your dog’s new diet is providing a healthy level of nutrients. Introducing high levels of physical stress should is risky if their diet is unproven. A recent study of dog owners preparing their pets diet at home was reported by University of California, Davis. The organization examined whether home-prepared diets were adequate for dogs with chronic kidney disease, a common ailment in overweight dogs. Their finding where published in the March 1, 2012, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The researchers analyzed 39 home-prepared diets for dogs, finding that none of the recipes met all National research Council-recommended nutritional allowances for adult animals. Their conclusion: Many home-prepared recipes should be used cautiously for long-term feeding. The main problem, the researchers note, is that the recipes were highly variable, pulled largely from websites and books.
The VitaHound organization believes dog supplements are critical in mitigating the short falls of both home made and commercial dog food. Nutrient content is often lost in a dog’s diet because of a dog’s specialized digestive system. Dog supplement formulations should provide both important nutrients and the enzymes to assist a dog in assimilating those nutrients. For this reason dog supplements can be the cornerstone to dog’s health and well-being.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein found in the blood, the levels of which rise in response to inflammation. C-reactive proteins do not cause the irritation and skin sores associated with inflammation in the skin, however blood concentration levels are an effective method to measure the health of the skin tissue, CRP is commonly used as a marker of inflammation. Research studying the development, progression and treatment of pressure ulcers (skin soars) on immobile patients found omega-3 fatty acids reduced the progression and increased healing (Miriam Theilla, RN Rabin medical Center, Peter Tikva, Isael)( reported in the British Journal of Nutrition and the American Journal of Critical Care). CRP levels where used in the study to determine the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids added to the study patient’s diet. The levels decreased significantly in the study group receiving omega-3 enriched diets, additionally the patients skin sores healed dramatically faster. VitaHound developed further studies utilizing dogs based on the conclusions of Miriam’s conclusion that more efficient immune system and a reduction to inflammation throughout the body resulted from the omega-3 acid supplementation.
The condition of a dog’s skin and coat is representative of the health of several biological functions in a dog’s body. The most effective nutrients that improve the canine physiology, typically express their efficacy in the dog’s skin and coat health. For this reason the success of omega-3 fatty acids at reducing CRP is an indication the nutrient has meaning full influences on a dog’s physiology. Moreover substances that directly advance the physical fitness of the canine skin and coat provide superior support based on the dog’s sensitivity to the condition of their skin. For this reason omega-3’s success in reducing CRP levels warrants supplementing the dog’s diet with omega-3 dense sources. CRP protein is produced in the liver by the hepatocytes in response to inflammatory stimuli e.g. tissue damage and/or infections. The function of CRP is to bind many different molecules that are released or present during inflammation, such as different cell fragments, bacteria, chromatin and different polycations. When the inflammatory cells (e.g. macrophages or granulocytes) are activated by different inflammatory stimuli, the acute phase response is triggered and different cytokines are released from the inflammatory cells, e.g. interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-1 and TNF-alpha. These
cytokines (especially IL-6) then induces an enhanced CRP-production in the liver within about 4-6 hours. If the inflammation ceases, the CRP concentrations in the blood peak within 48 hours and then return to normal level within 1-2 weeks. Healthy CRP for dogs has a range of (CRP range (mg/L) of .2 to 30.
CRP is an acutephase protein produced, mainly in the liver, in response to different inflammatory stimuli such as infection or tissue damage. Therefor testing dog’s CRP levels is an excellent method for determining the condition of their skin. Dog’s that itch and scratch with excessive shedding are candidates for this test. Dog owners should request this test before supplementing their diets in attempts to improve their health. Veterinarians may use the test for canine small intestinal disease, the health of the small intestine is directly associated with the condition of dog’s skin and coat further tying the results to a dog’s excessive itching and shedding. These conditions are the result of inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s mechanism to defend itself against invading organisms and to repair any tissue damage as a result of disease or injury. The inflammatory process begins with foreign body invasion or tissue damage. Host defense mechanisms work to restore and maintain homeostasis. Most of a dog’s body defense elements are located in the blood and with the resulting blood vessel dilation that occurs in inflammation, leukocytes, proteins and fluids enter into the inflamed regions. The symptoms of inflammation are characterized by pain, heat, redness, and swelling. These symptom are directly related to a dog’s tendency to continually itch and scratch. It is common for the severity of the symptoms to cause a dog to create sores on their skin and coat. These sores exacerbate the irritating sensations and trigger even more itching. Therefor it is very important for owners of dogs with elevated CRP levels to include supplements formulated to improve the level of omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. These supplements can dramatically improve the overall health of a dog, and directly affect the condition of their skin and coats.

Organic Compounds Both Construct And Sustain Living Organism

_{There Are Four Categories:}

Improving A Dog’s Skin and Coat Health

A dog’s skin and coat is the largest organ of their body and its condition signifies a dog’s general health. There are two types of oils, organic oils and mineral oils. Organic oils are vital to a dog’s overall health specifically their skin and coats. These oils are produced in an assortment plants, animals, and other organisms through natural metabolic processes.

Fatty acids are classified in two groups either saturated or unsaturated (commonly identified as trans-fat). Unsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids of the cell membrane are important in maintaining membrane fluidity.

Unsaturated fats include polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAS) this type of fatty acid has two or more double bonds in its chain of carbon atoms. In contrast, saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, and monounsaturated fats have just one double bond. All mammals produce their own saturated and monounsaturated fats, but not polyunsaturated fatty acids. Humans and dogs use various biosynthetic pathways to both break down and synthesize lipids, some essential lipids cannot be made this way and must be obtained from the diet.

There are two distinct PUFA families, n-6 and n-3 (also known as omega-6 and omega-3). Linoleic acid (LA) is the head of the n-6 family; the important n-6 derivatives of LA are gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA). Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the head of the n-3 family; the important n-3 derivatives of (ALA) are eicosa-apentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). When mammals eat oils or foods that contain LA or ALA, it’s theoretically possible for enzymes in their bodies to convert these fatty acids to longer-chain fats(LC-PUFAs) with more double bonds. But in reality, full conversion to LC-PUFAs is an inefficient process.
With respect to n-6 PUFAs, both LA and AA are essential for dogs. Canines apparently convert LA to AA more readily than humans do. These essential fatty acids are converted in the body by enzymes into Long Chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs). The four most important LCPUFAs needed by the body are:

These essential fatty acids are used to form eicosanoids (C20) fatty acids, which give rise to eicosanoids prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes , and lipoxins. Prostaglandins mediate inflammation, pain, induce sleep, regulate blood coagulation and reproduction.

Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) – An important omega-6 nutrient needed for important bodily functions such as the maintenance of hormonal balance and healthy skin structure. Can also be broken down into AA.

Arachidonic Acid (AA) – An important omega-6 nutrient found in the membranes of nerves and helps with the transmission of messages in the central nervous system.
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) – An important omega-3 nutrient needed by the body for the structure of nerves and cells and is needed for brain and eye health in particular.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) – produces prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes , and lipoxins. Prostaglandins mediate inflammation, pain, induce sleep, regulate blood coagulation and supports reproduction processes.

The human and canine physiology share numerous similarities, these similarities allow dog owners to consider their own health care regimens when providing for their dog’s wellbeing. A majority of dog lovers believe their pet’s air born allergies require similar attention to their own allergies and while the sources for these allergies are similar the consequences are very different. The symptoms and health effects for dogs are much more severe than they are for humans. The symptoms in humans are annoying and uncomfortable but fairly benign, as opposed to dogs where air born allergies can cause severe suffering and injury. For this reason it is important for dog owners to understand the differences between human allergies and canine allergies. Dogs develop the same types of antibodies to substances in the air that they are allergic to as people. However dog’s scratch and gnaw and lick and chew, people contend with a constant nasal drip and watery eyes resulting in continual sneezing.
The difference in the reactions is about where the antibodies are actually located. The antibodies are found predominantly in the respiratory tract in humans but in canines it is found in very different area of the body, the dog’s skin. The severity of allergies is primarily dependent on seasonal levels of pollens and grasses. People may successfully cope by treating their allergies with antihistamine medications.
A simple understanding of antibodies helps with determining the most effectual treatments. The body’s immune system over responds to specific , noninfectious substances; pollen, mold, etc.. The antibodies in the blood, mostly immunoglobin E (IgE), attach to mast cells (cells that release histamine / white blood cells), in humans this takes place in the lungs in dogs it takes place in their skin. This attachment causes histamine to release, when this happens the histamine dilates the blood vessels, and the result is a skin rash in dogs or a swollen membranes in the nose.
Histamines dilate the blood vessels and reacts with certain fats stimulating nerve fibers that produce an itchy sensation. To compound the sensation the increased blood flow in a dog’s skin causes swelling, redness and heat, which are normal inflammatory responses. Inflammation and swelling encourages the dog to lick, scratch and even bite at the inflamed area many times until a wound is created. Even though the dog’s body is attempting to deliver additional blood for healing , and heat to neutralize toxins and other healing substances the dog’s response typically cause additional damage.
A dog’s air born allergies may be treated with typical antihistamines, however when dogs are additionally suffering from food allergies the combination of the two conditions overwhelms the dog’s body causing severe irritation that triggers the dog to itch, lick, and gnaw at their skin until they create wounds. The continual licking introduces harmful bacteria into their skin causing severe damage to their health of their skin and coat. The suffering may even result in psychological strain further stressing the dog. For this reason it is imperative for owner to address their dog’s food allergies reducing their sensitivity to other triggers and stifling the sensations that cause constant itching, and licking.
The greatest relief for a dog’s allergies is to treat both their digestive and air born allergies simultaneously. A yeast culture based on the Saccharomyces cervisiae source is a powerful substance that teats the pathogens that trigger both food and air born allergies. IgA. Our first line of defense against ingesting pathogens is a protective mucus layer. The levels immunoglobin A (IgA) antibody found in the mucosal lining of the dog’s respiratory and digestive tracts is an indicator of dog’s mucosal barrier strength. Our research showed that the ingestion of this fermented yeast culture was directly associated with creating higher levels of IgA. For this reason dog supplements containing these yeast compounds will substantially reduce the length of time required for an allergen to be neutralized.

The inner surface of the canine stomach and small intestine is lined by a membrane known as the mucosa. The mucosa is a highly specialized tissue in each organ of the gastrointestinal tract variations deal with the different conditions. The most variation is seen in the epithelium. The gastric mucosa exists in the stomach. The mucosa lining in the stomach is always covered by a layer of thick mucus that is secreted by tall columnar epithelial cells. Cells in the epithelium of the stomach are bound by tight junctions that repel harsh fluids that may injure the stomach lining. This barrier allows acids to exist in the dog’s stomach without damaging other tissue in the stomach.

The small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach and followed by the large intestine, and is where much of the dog’s digestion and absorption of food takes place. The small intestine Digested food is now able to pass into the blood vessels in the wall of the intestine through the process of diffusion. The small intestine is the site where most of the nutrients from ingested food are absorbed. The inner wall, or mucosa, of the small intestine is lined with simple columnar epithelial tissue. The small intestine epithelial cells also have finger-like projections known as microvilli, the villi and the microvilli is to increase the amount of surface area available for the absorption of nutrients.

Each villus has a network of capillaries and fine lymphatic vessels called lacteals close to its surface. The epithelial cells of the villi transport nutrients from the lumen of the intestine into these capillaries (amino acids and carbohydrates) and lacteals (lipids). The absorbed substances are transported via the blood vessels to different organs of the dog’s body where they are used to build complex substances such as the proteins required by our body. The food that remains undigested and unabsorbed passes into the large intestine.

VitaHound’s study of ground breaking research uncovers new ways we can benefit from our relationship with our dogs and appreciate our new yearning to care for our beloved dogs on par with any other of our loved ones. VitaHound has pioneered health care regimens for dogs in oral care and supplements, leading the industry in the understanding that the relationship between dogs and humans was headed for a distinctive role in many people’s lives.
Our dogs play increasing vital roles in our lives, contribute directly to our physical and emotional heath, and provide significant societal and economic value, according to groundbreaking research being conducted at more than a dozen research centers in the U.S. and around the world. VitaHound’s staff interacts with thousands of dog owners every month, these owners are seeking healthy life styles for their pets, motivated by their dog’s unique capacity to love and comprehend them on a level rarely experienced from human relationships. It’s not only an apple a day that keeps the doctor away; our dogs do as well, say researchers investigating the intriguing bond between humans and dogs as part of a larger effort to study human-animal interaction.
With obesity rates soaring to epidemic levels worldwide, people benefit from a dog nudging them off the couch; studies show that dog walks, long touted as good for our dogs, are significantly good for us too. Recent findings indicate that dog walkers are more likely to meet guidelines for adequate physical activity. Sedentary lifestyles are substantially reduced when an active dog is present in the family, our dog’s physical vitality and enthusiasm for play is a constant motivator to be active. Chronic diseases associated with lack of exercise including coronary artery disease or diabetes effect both dogs and their owners, therefore a dog’s caregiver feel a responsibility to both their dog’s lifestyle and their own.
Dog owners are pursuing the best dog supplements and health care regimens, for this reason VitaHound has provides an extensive library on dog health topics for their customers. Around the world, governments are sponsoring numerous studies, encouraged by the prospects that pet ownership can significantly curb medical costs. At Waltham alone, 23 studies are funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, with additional studies funded by Waltham’s parent, Mars Petcare.
Our dogs are good for our hearts in more ways than one. Some of the strongest evidence for the health benefits of pets comes from research on cardiovascular health and physiological arousal. The presence of animals decreases stress and decreasing stress has immediate, positive effects on heart rates and blood pressure. A dog’s odor can interfere with the calming influences their presence generates; both a dog’s bad breath and smelly coat are conditions that reduce the affection of people towards dogs and reduce their positive effects on the human spirit. Oral care regimens the remove the plaque and tarter from a dog’s teeth remove odor causing bacteria and provide dogs with fresh hygienic breath. Secondly dog supplements that eliminate food allergies and improve the health of dog’s skin and coat do away with the conditions that cause a dog to have a smelly unhealthy skin and coat.

Getting more people to become physically active with their dogs could reduce America’s healthcare costs by tens of billions of dollars a year, research indicates. German, Australian, and Chinese studies indicate that pet owners make fewer annual doctor visits, and the relationship remains statistically significant after controlling for other variables.
The argument used to be that perhaps people who chose to own dogs were originally more healthy, however a study by the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine specifically demonstrated that people who didn’t have dogs at first became healthier once owning a dog. However VitaHound emphasizes the condition of the dog’s skin and coat and their oral health are variable that can negatively impact the relationship of dog owners and their four legged companions.