Caring for your dog is not just about ensuring they have food access. There are other criteria you need to look into so your dog can be in excellent health, and I am sure most dog owners want to take good care of their dogs so they can be left healthy and happy.
To keep your dogs healthy, there are some steps you have to follow and keep up with. You will be happy if you see your dog’s health because you won’t even spend huge amounts on health issues. In this article, we are going to give you some guidelines for your dog’s health and wellness.
Also read: Healthiest Dog Breeds
Veterinary Care
This is the number one and most important aspect of keeping your dog healthy. I’m not saying others are unimportant, but this is the most important aspect. Every dog breeder recommends veterinary care; they will always tell you to get a vet so your vet can help you with check-ups and the continuation of your dog’s vaccines.
After getting your puppy, all dogs must be vaccinated to have a good health foundation and strengthen their immune system. After getting a vet, your vet will talk to you about the vaccination schedule for the first year of your dog’s life and after.
If you don’t have the time to visit the vet, you can request a home service. Your puppy will need to be seen on a regular basis during the first few months of its life, mostly for vaccinations and a general Checkup.
After a year, when your dog has grown a little, you won’t need to visit the vet regularly again except if any other health issues arise. But in the absence of non-rabies, your dog will typically need to see the vet annually for general examination and vaccines( mostly anti-rabies). But if you just got an adult dog, and you have not been taking care of it since it was a puppy, you will need to see your vet for re-vaccinations and general examinations for a few weeks to be sure the dog is healthy. As for senior dogs, they should visit the vet at least every six months since your dog ages at a faster rate than you, but more frequently if they have any health problems.
Learn to always consult your vet, communicate effectively, and build good relationships with them, as this can create a lot of benefits for you and your dog.
Optimum Nutrition
You can’t say your dog is healthy without eating a good, balanced diet; this is the aspect that shows that your dog is truly healthy. An improper diet can affect a lot of areas in your dog’s health, from your dog’s skin and coat to weight to energy level and even gastrointestinal functions.
When choosing your dog’s food, choose a high-quality food made by a reputable brand. If you decide to feed your dog homemade foods, consult your vet on what is safe for dogs to eat and what can be toxic to them, causing damage to your canine companion’s health. If you notice your dog’s response to a diet is poor or doesn’t eat it, you can look into other food products.
Note: Don’t just switch your dog’s diet suddenly; it can cause diarrhoea or even vomiting. You can take the process slowly while Chan your dog’s diet.
Also read: Best Vegetables for Dogs
Routine Exercise
This is another aspect of keeping your dog healthy. Dogs are active dogs who need exercise daily, at least 2 hours a day, but most dog parents underestimate how much exercise their furry companion really needs to stay active, healthy, and happy. Depriving a dog of boundless energy is often the main cause of destructive behaviours in dogs.
Before blaming your dog for damaging some of your property, you might ask yourself if you are giving your dog the ideal exercise it needs to be happy. Our dogs need at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise daily, but the duration for exercises may vary in dog breeds because not all dogs are as active as others due to breed, size, and age. Over time, when you exercise your dog well, you will start to notice some change in your dog’s behaviour, and you will like it; you will even see improvements in your health and your dog’s health in the meantime. Exercising hot dogs can also be a form of bonding with your canine friend. This can also be a good time to incorporate some basic training.
Regular Grooming
Although grooming requirements may vary between dogs, that doesn’t mean they should be neglected in dogs with low grooming requirements. It would help if you also looked into grooming, as dogs have different coats. So, grooming for short coats will differ from that for long or curly coats.
Grooming is not limited to bathing alone; it also includes taking good care of your dog’s skin, coat, ears, paws, and external appearance. Grooming requirements are not so stressful for short-coated dogs, but they are still important. You can brush out the coat every week and bathe every three or four weeks. You might brush daily for long-coated dogs to prevent tangling in the long run.
Once you know your dog’s coat appearance and have determined its grooming needs, you can decide whether you can do the grooming yourself or would like to let a professional groomer take your place. You can choose any option you want, but just make sure that your dog is groomed regularly.
Dental Care
There is this misconception that dogs’ mouths are very clean, and this is the main reason why most pet parents easily forget about their dog’s teeth until their dog develops bad breath or they develop a dental issue. Bad breath from your dog can be a sign of problems in the mouth. The most common issue that occurs in our dog’s mouth is Plaque and tartar build-up, which can lead to serious health issues.
Brushing your dog’s teeth, using oral rinses, feeding dental treats, or all of the above are always recommended. Don’t wait till your dog is treated for dental issues before you start taking good care of your dog’s dental.
Watch for Warning Signs
Our dogs may not be able to speak to us, but that doesn’t mean they can show us signs. Dogs will always show signs whenever they have a problem, but most pet owners don’t take note of these signs early enough. Take, for example, our dog may not say that they have an issue with their leg, but they will give signs that something is wrong with that leg; if you are an observant type that provides their dog attention, then you will notice as soon as possible, but if you are otherwise, then you won’t probably notice quickly, and it might get worse.
Learn to be close to your dogs because you can’t be close to them and don’t notice when your dog is giving you a sign of something worn with them. If you see your dog exhibiting signs of illness, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. It is not about health; if you notice your dog is acting abnormally, changing in behaviour, or exhibiting behavioural issues, you might be a dog behaviourist immediately.
Also read: Common Dog Behavior Problems and Solutions
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