Everyone wants their dog to be as healthy as possible. There are a few steps you can take to make sure you are doing everything you can to help your pet stay healthy and happy. First, make sure that your dog goes to the vet for regular visits. Even if they aren’t showing signs of any illness, it is important for your dog or puppy to receive vaccinations and health check-ups. Many diseases that affect dogs are preventable, such as Parvo. Parvo is a highly contagious disease that is exceptionally dangerous to young puppies and older dogs. By taking the dog to the vet at least once a year they can be vaccinated against this and many other canine diseases. The vet will also do a wellness check on your dog to make sure there are no underlying medical problems such as heart ailments, diabetes, etc.
Secondly, make sure that your dog is on heartworm medication, especially if you live in a warm climate where mosquitos are plentiful.Once heartworm’s are contracted, the treatment is nearly toxic for the dog.
Another important step to keeping your dog healthy is to make sure it is fed a nutritious diet. This does not include “people food” unless ordered by your Vet. Dogs needs different vitamins and minerals than humans do, so feeding them table scraps as their main source of food may cause intestinal problems and a lack of good nutrition.
Proper shelter is also important for your dog. If it stays outside it will need to be provided with a sturdy dog house or shelter. It is important that the dog is kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter, along with being able to get out of the rain, snow, etc. Many breeds of dogs such as the Pekinese, Pug and others with short noses aren’t able to breathe correctly if left in the heat of the summer months.
Flea and tick control is a must for keeping your dog healthy. There are many brands of flea medications on the market to choose from. Try to pick one that will also kill ticks.They can cause your dog to become ill if the dog gets infested. Flea infestation can cause not only skin sores but can lead to an infestation of tape worms. If you don’t like the idea of using chemicals on your dog to prevent flea and ticks, you can try one of the many all-natural options such as a mixture of organic peppermint oil mixed with cedar oil that is used as a spray.
Giving your dog the opportunity to exercise is very important to maintain good health. All dogs, regardless of their size, need some form of exercise to stay healthy. Active dogs thrive much better when they are allowed room to run, as in a fenced in yard. For a smaller or less energetic dog, a short walk in the evening is a good form of exercise.
Dental care is something we don’t often think about for our dogs, but proper it can make a big difference in a dogs health. Tartar can build on your dogs teeth quickly, especially if they eat soft foods, such as only canned dog food. Giving your dog a hard dog biscuit is one way to prevent tartar build-up on their teeth. The Vet can also remove it during a regular check up.
Spaying and neutering your dog also has health benefits. A neutered male dog is less likely to stray or be aggressive. A female that is spayed will not have litter after litter of puppies. Vets can now spay and neuter most dogs that weigh over two pounds, so many times a larger sized puppy can be spayed or neutered not long after you bring it home.
One of the most important things to do to keep your dog healthy is to show it love, affection and a proper amount of attention. If you spend time with your dog on a daily basis you will be much more likely to notice if anything is amiss concerning a change in their appearance, which may be a sign of illness.
