Helping Dogs Live Healthier Lives

At Agria, we are delighted to have supported the development and launch of the Innate Health Assessment (IHA) Tool. The IHA Tool is a free to use, 10-point, online checklist that gives anyone an easy way to understand whether a dog has the physical traits needed for a healthy, comfortable life. It’s based on 15 years of research from the Royal Veterinary College, with one clear goal: to support the breeding of healthier dogs! 

Why do we need this? 

For many years, certain dog breeds have been shaped to match human trends or ideas of “cute”. But some of these extreme physical features can cause serious health problems. Issues such as breathing difficulties, sore eyes, skin infections, spinal and joint pain, neurological problems, and shorter life expectancy can be linked to exaggerated body shapes.  

The IHA Tool has been developed to help change this for future generations of dogs. It walks users through 10 key features that are known to cause problems in many dogs.  

The great thing is that anyone, breeders, dog owners, or people thinking about getting a dog can use it, without any special equipment or veterinary training. 

Whatever their breed, if a dog shows some of these extreme traits, the IHA also helps owners understand what challenges their pet might face and how best to support them. However, the message is clear: dogs who don’t pass the IHA should not be bred from, to help ensure healthier puppies in the future.  

The tool is supported by a wide range of respected animal welfare and veterinary organisations, including Agria, plus Battersea, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, the RSPCA, The Kennel Club, and many more! 

You can try the IHA Tool for free, learn how it works, and check your own dog’s innate health at www.innatehealthassessment.org/