10 Tips for a Healthy Dog
Every dog owner wants their pooch to have a happy, healthy, long life. There are several things we can do as pet owners to make sure that happens. Here are our top 10 tips for a healthy dog.
Our Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Dog
- Spay or neuter your dog. Most people don’t realize that spaying or neutering your dog can actually be better for their health. For females, it lowers the chances of certain types of cancers and uterine infections. For males, it reduces the odds of prostate disease and hernias while completely eliminating testicular cancer.
- Vaccinate your dog. Once your dog reaches three months of age, he is no longer getting necessary antibodies from his mother’s milk. Vaccinations are necessary for preventing infectious diseases that can be fatal to your dog.
- See your vet regularly. Just like humans, dogs should see their doctor for a physical at least once a year to catch any health concerns before they become major
- Eliminate Fleas and Ticks. Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance, they are a serious health risk. Fleas can lead to tapeworms, anemia, and skin issues. Ticks can lead to debilitating and life-threatening diseases like Lyme disease. Talk to your vet to find out which flea and tick preventative is best for your dog.
- Prevent Heartworms. Instead of treating a heartworm infestation after it happens, you can stop it from ever happening by using a monthly heartworm preventative prescribed by your vet.
- Provide plenty of exercise. Exercise is just as important for your dog as it is for you. A dog that gets plenty of good exercise will be happier and healthier both mentally and physically.
- Keep your dog’s weight in check. Many dogs are overfed and under-exercised. It is up to you to make sure your dog stays at a healthy weight to prevent heart and liver disease, and even arthritis. Providing a healthy diet that is free of wheat, corn, and soy is also important.
- Be aware of your dog’s health. When you are aware of changes in your pet’s condition, you can catch health problems early. Do a weekly assessment of your pet’s condition to keep track of any changes that your vet should know about.
- Take care of your dog’s dental health. Annual teeth cleaning by your vet and inspecting your dog’s teeth and gums each week is important for preventing gum and heart disease.
- Keep dangerous foods away from your dog. Artificial sweeteners, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, avocados, grapes, and fatty foods are all very dangerous for dogs. For a complete of foods that should be kept away from your dog, visit the Animal Poison Control Center website.
