Dogs are one of the most friendly animals you can keep as a pet. These animals will keep you company, especially if you are lonely, making you feel even better.
Like any other animal, dogs must be cared for to maintain their health. Besides providing them love and attention, you should also do routine maintenance practices such as vaccinations and dog-calming treats.
Here are some tips to keep your dog safe and healthy all along.
Meet their Nutritional Needs
The nutrition you give to your pet plays a significant role in maintaining its overall health. It is advisable to consult your vet on the best food for your dog.
Also, the professional can advise on how much or how often you need to feed your dog based on their lifestyle, age, and size.
Consider feeding your pets with foods that contain high-quality ingredients that guarantee a balanced diet. Consequently, ask your vet to recommend the best joint supplements for dogs to keep their health at prime.
In general, you can consider purchasing food with certification from the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
This way, you can be sure that the food is nutritionally balanced and complete. While so many people are used to it, you should avoid feeding your dogs with raw eggs, raw meat, or bones.
Various groups, such as the CDC and the American Veterinary Medical Association, warn that feeding your pets raw meals can lead to serious health complications like bacterial infections.
Again, bones can tear and damage a dog’s intestines or stomach.
Keep the Necessary Vaccinations Up-to-Date
Just like in humans, vaccines are one of the surest ways to keep your dog’s health at par. While many states will have laws that require every dog owner to have their pet vaccinated against rabies, there are many other diseases that dogs can be vaccinated against.
Vaccinations protect against highly contagious and severe illnesses such as distemper and parvo, which can even be fatal. Typically, the shots and schedules for vaccinations will be highly dependent on the place you live and your dog’s health issues; thus, consult your vet.
Nevertheless, all puppies must get their first shots at around six weeks, followed by every three weeks until they reach 16 weeks. On the other hand, an adult dog will require vaccination every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine type.
Dog-Prove Your Home
Is your home safe for your dog? Ideally, you should evaluate your home to ensure it provides a safe environment for your dog to stay in.
For example, you will need to keep all toilet lids closed, keep household cleaners and medication out of reach, and secure all electrical cords that the dogs might chew on. Do you have a pool in your yard?
Does your dog or puppy know how to swim? You must consider all this before bringing a pet into your home.
You can utilize a motion detector system or fence the pool if your puppy has not yet learned how to swim to prevent it from falling into the water.
Also, ensure your dog has no access to human food, as some might be hazardous to their health.
Schedule Annual Wellness Exams for Your Dog
Regular physical exams for your dog are essential to ensure its well-being. Even though they seem well and healthy, you should allow your vet to assess the pet’s health to identify any emerging condition early enough.
Schedule for Exercise Days
Just like you and I, dogs also need exercise. Regular exercises give your dog an outlet for their mental and physical energy and help them maintain a healthy weight.
Exercising can help dogs avoid bad habits like chewing, barking, and digging, which most dogs tend to do when bored.
It is crucial to note that the exercise requirements for dogs vary depending on the specific breed. For instance, some dogs will stay healthy with just a quick stroll around the estate.
On the other hand, high-energy breeds need more than an hour of exercising vigorously to keep them healthy.
In addition to keeping your dog’s body in good condition, adequate physical activity helps prevent your dog from suffering mental boredom, which could lead to anxiety or destructive behavior. Consider backyard games, social time, and strolls to ensure your pet gets adequate exercise.
If you are looking to acquire a dog, it is best to consider a lifestyle to get a dog that matches your lifestyle. This way, the dog will not suffer, and you will not feel like you are being overworked with dog responsibilities.
Keep Your Pet Warm and Cool
Your dog will need extra help to remain comfortable and safe when it gets extremely cold or hot. When taking strolls during summer, walking your pet on the grass or under a shade is best to prevent it from suffering the extreme heat.
Also, ensure you provide a lot of water and shade at home to shield the dog against the hot sun rays.
If your dog has bald patches of less fur, you can ask your vet to recommend a suitable sunscreen you can apply. While it might seem obvious, you should never leave your dog in the car during the warm weather as the temperatures can get unbearable.
During winter, your dog should remain indoors as much as possible. However, if you need to take it for strolls, you can get booties or sweaters to keep them warm.
Or, you can construct an open area and shield it well to provide a place to provide a place to exercise your pet when the outside temperatures are unfavorable.
Prevent Parasites Infestation
In addition to the normal vaccination, you must also adhere to effective parasite prevention measures. Numerous parasites can cause discomfort and illness to your dog, including heartworms, fleas, and ticks.
Talk to your vet for recommendations on the best ways to protect your pet against pest infestation, especially one common in your region.
Following these health measures and precautions will ensure your dog remains healthy and full of life at all times.
