Dalmatians Have Certain Health Issues But Just a Little Extra Care Goes a Long Way!
Dalmatian is an intelligent dog with beautiful skin.
Dalmatians are smart and intelligent dogs, but they have certain health issues due to which people hesitate to get them. However, a little extra care brings happiness to you and your Dalmatians.
Even though Dalmatians are the sweetest and most intelligent dogs, they have the reputation of being sick. Sadly, it is true that these dogs are prone to many health issues, which makes people hesitant to choose them. But you do not have to worry because, even with health issues, these dogs have a happy demeanor and will be always loyal to you.
Now about the part that you are tensed about, you can easily relieve this tension once you start looking for and understanding the root cause of Dalmatian health issues. You just need to be a little cautious and care for them, and boom, they are at low risk of developing health issues!
Well, mostly the Dalmatian’s health issues are some genetic and breed-specific health issues. So, if you take care of them properly, then you might be able to avoid it.
Deafness
This is the most common genetic disease of a Dalmatian. They are prone to deafness and sadly, 10–12% of them are born completely deaf. And what’s more hurtful is that many of them have partial hearing loss, which makes their lives a lot more difficult and people don’t want to take the risk of adopting these little cuties.
But you have to understand that deafness is not caused by everyone, and early precautions can make your Dalmatian’s life easy. We have seen many Dalmatians being deaf because of a lack of pigment in their inner ear structures, which cannot be treated.
It's not that every Dalmatian suffers from deafness but you can always detect it early by observing their movements and following routine checkups. You can go for BAER Testing (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response), as it is a hearing test and can be done between 6 and 8 weeks old to find out if your Dalmatian is deaf or not.
Deaf dogs need a little extra care and a different type of training and you can always train them to understand hand signals and vibration collars. Having a deaf Dalmatian means you have the responsibility of not breeding them because it is a genetic problem and can be passed on to the offspring.
Urinary Stones (Urolithiasis)
Just like humans, dogs have urinary stones too and it is as painful as humans. So, be mindful of what you give your Dalmatian to eat because they are very much prone to stones in the bladder or urinary tract due to an inability to process purine properly.
However, it is very much avoidable; you just have to take care of your Dalmatian diet, like you need to avoid high-purine foods, and that includes organ meats, shellfish, and red meat.
Don't worry, you need to follow the precautions just like you would do for yourself because, surprisingly, bladder stones' nature is generally similar and you need to give your Dalmatians hydrating food filled with moisture, avoid purine-rich food, and try feeding them the food their vets have suggested.
Another important thing you must not avoid is feeding your dog water, which will help dilute the water with urine and prevent stones. Not urinating often can also lead to stones, so make sure your little doggie does urinate often in a day, and the most important thing is taking them to vets for regular checkups.
Urine tests and ultrasounds can detect stones early, which will help in treatment and will be less painful for your dogs.
Skin Allergies (Atopic Dermatitis)
Well, this problem might not be something every dog has, but hey, that’s alright because this is not a big issue until you look after your environment and try avoiding a few things for your Dalmatians.
It's very much possible that Dalmatians get skin allergies from what they eat and from dust or pollen so you need to take special care of their diet by avoiding the food they have allergies to and giving them a novel protein or grain-free diet.
Also, make sure to clean your house properly and keep the surroundings clean and tidy; it won’t only be convenient for your Dalmatians but also you, as you will have a cleaner environment.
Eye Problems (Cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
It's not very common that dogs will have cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, but it is indeed a possibility, so by now you must have understood that you need to be careful with your dogs and take them to regular eye checkups so that if there is a cataract, vets can detect it early and work on it.
Unfortunately, extreme cataracts need surgeries, but don't worry; cataract surgeries are mostly successful and once done, your dog will have better vision.
However, if you are late, they might lose their eyesight, which we do not want, so take care of your Dalmatians.
Hip Dysplasia
Okay, so don’t worry, it is not very common in Dalmatians, and many other dog breeds have this problem, which can be solved by looking after them and observing their movement. Malformation of the hip joint can happen, which can further lead to arthritis and mobility issues but you don’t have to worry until you take precautions and care of your little doggies.
Dalmatians need regular exercise and make sure it's not heavy or too much for them. Go for walking, swimming, etc. for light exercise so that it strengthens muscles without stressing the joints, and regularly go for checkups and take supplements prescribed by vets.
Hyperuricosuria (HUU)
Hyperuricosuria is actually a genetic disease to which Dalmatians are more prone than other dogs. It basically increases uric acid in urine, which ultimately leads to a risk of stones. You need to take care and precautions so that neither your dog has it, and if they do, you need to make sure they don’t reproduce because this can definitely pass on to the next generation of Dalmatians. Also, give them proper diets with moisture and protein, and give them plenty of water to avoid the formation of stones.
- Breed Name: Dalmatian
- Size: Medium to Large
- Energy Level: High (energetic and loves activities; best for active owners)
- Grooming Needs: Low to Moderate (short coat, but sheds year-round; brushing helps manage shedding)
- Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, and playful; known for being alert and protective
- Good for Families: Yes, great with families and children but may be too energetic for very young kids
- Training: Moderate (intelligent but independent; benefits from patient, consistent training and early socialization)
- Health Considerations: Prone to hearing issues (deafness) and urinary stones; regular vet checkups recommended
- Lifespan: 10-13 years
- Apartment Friendly: Possible with ample exercise, but typically better suited to homes with room to play
- Exercise Needs: High (requires daily, vigorous exercise such as long walks, runs, or interactive play)
- Barking: Moderate; may bark to alert or when excited, but generally not overly vocal
- Grooming: Weekly brushing to reduce shedding; regular nail trimming and ear cleaning recommended
- Socialization: Naturally friendly but benefits from early socialization with people and other pets to prevent shyness or wariness
- Dental Care: Regular brushing advised to maintain good dental health
About the Creator
Vaishali Raguvanshi
With three years of experience and my role as a Content Strategist for the Health and Vet Corner at PawsMint, I specialize in educating dog owners on pet care, promoting healthier and happier lives for their canine companions.
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Good information ♦️🏆🖊️📕♦️