How to Keep Dogs Healthy
When your pet pooch is healthy and appears to have that naughty twinkle in his eyes, as a pet parent you’re happy and you feel that everything is right with the world.
But the moment that they appear to be silently and peacefully sitting in one place, and there has been no activity for quite some time, alarm bells start ringing in your head. This is a natural parental instinct where your sixth sense alerts you to anything that seems amiss with your furry kid. One issue that is often overlooked are dogs suffering from orthopedic problems that could be helped through the use of dog braces.
Here are 6 important tips on how you can keep your dogs healthy and happy always…
1. Visit the Vet
Dogs need regular visits to the Veterinarian just as you need to visit your doctor. This ensures good health all year round. An annual health checkup gives your vet the chance to catch any illness or health problems at the start, which may prevent bigger problems later. The vet will ask you questions about your Pet’s Medical History, vaccinations, heat cycles, behavior, eating habits and his exercise schedule. His weight and vital stats will also be checked. Regular vet visits might be a little costly but will be worth the advice or treatment given.
2. Regular Grooming
A regular dog grooming schedule helps to maintain a healthy coat, helps stop hair from knotting, and will help keep your dog looking and smelling great. No matter the breed of your dog or the type of coat they may have, regular grooming will help ensure healthy skin and also provide a protective barrier for the coat.
3. Vaccinations
Vaccinations may save your pupper’s life and are advised as soon as your pup turns one month old. Depending on the age of the puppy, the vaccinations will vary. Your puppy may need to be vaccinated to protect him from common infectious diseases, including leptospirosis, corona, distemper and parvovirus, as well as rabies. It is important that you ask your vet about vaccinations Kennel Cough and Lyme disease. Vaccinations may save your dog’s life.
4. Spay and Neuter
When you spay a female dog, it stops her from going into heat and can help prevent mammary cancer and pyometra, or infection of the uterus. Spaying is a form of surgery in female pets, where the female is sterilized and her ovaries are removed. Neutering is a form of surgery in male pets, wherein both testicles and their associated structures are removed. Neutering a male dog helps control aggressive behavior, marking, and prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias.
5. Declare War On Ticks, Fleas and Mites
Ticks attach themselves to the pet’s body and live off of the blood. Ticks can lead to Tick-Fever, which may turn fatal for your pet if left untreated. Fleas are also an external parasite and tend to park themselves anywhere on a dog’s body. Fleas also lead to health problems other than itchy skin and can be the source of allergies, anemia and tapeworms. Mites are mainly found inside the ears and can be very discomforting. Itching and scratching are common symptoms. Visits to the Pet Park or Pet Party scenes are common places where your pet might catch fleas. A good tick and flea repellent should be used regularly on your pet to keep these ectoparasites away.
6. Check the Teeth
Problems with your dog’s teeth affect their behavior and health. It’s important for owners to be proactive in preventing problems. A severe gum infection or periodontal disease is a major reason for many dental problems. Periodontal disease also affects your dog’s kidneys, liver, and heart if left untreated.
If you have had a toothache, then you know, it’s extremely uncomfortable. But it is hard to know when our dogs experience pain. Undesirable behavior, a “grumpy” attitude, and a decreased appetite may be some of the signs. Find out if your dog has problems with teeth and if you need a dentist for your dog.
7. Deworm, deworm, deworm
Deworming is a medicinal approach in dogs which removes from their intestines common endoparasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Out of these four, only these two are commonly seen in the stool with the naked eye: roundworms and tapeworms. Some vets advise that puppies should be dewormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age. Then it is advised that after six months all dogs need to be dewormed every three months for effective protection.
To conclude, regular exercise, a healthy diet, weight watching, and fun play time with your dog, if followed regularly, will keep both of you happy and healthy for a long, long time. And similar to how you might tell a child to brush their teeth at least twice a day, it’s best to watch for signs of plaque and tooth decay and brush your dog’s teeth at least once a day, preferably with a toothpaste made specifically for pets.
Author Bio
Esha Sinha is a seasoned writer who has over the years contributed quality content on various high-profile websites. She has particularly excelled in niches like Fashion, Business, Entrepreneurship, Education, Pet Healthcare, etc. Her professionalism, four year’s experience, and expertise make her one of the most sought-after content writers in the field.