Healthy Dog Tips
Healthy Coat
A shiny coat is a sign of a healthy dog. A shiny dog coat starts with good nutrition and exercise. Brushing your dogs coat on a regular basis, starting at the head and working to the tail, will encourage natural oils to lift from your dogs body. While you brush, look at the condition of the coat, is it dry or oily? If your dogs coat becomes wet, either by being caught out in the weather, or after bathing, it is a good idea to dry your dog off with a towel, then put on a wool coat that will absorb the moisture. Once your dog is dry, remove the damp coat, and replace with a dry, warm dog coat, especially during the cold winter months.
Vaccinations
When you purchase your dog ask for its vaccination certificate which will be signed by a veterinarian. If your dog or puppy has had no previous vaccinations or if you are unsure whether it has been vaccinated, you should take it to your veterinarian to receive a health check and vaccinations for canine distemper, viral hepatitis, parvovirus and kennel cough. Puppies require the first vaccinations between 6 - 8 weeks with the second at 12 - 16 weeks old. All dogs require a 'booster' vaccination every 12 months.
Desexing
Bitches are desexed for a number of reasons:
- to prevent the season cycle which occurs twice a year for 3 weeks (This may attract many male dogs to property where the bitch is housed resulting in fighting and destruction of gardens, or the escape of inseson bitches);
- to prevent unwanted pregnancies with the associated problems of rearing puppies and finding proper homes for them;
- to prevent breast cancer and uterine problems frequently found in entire (undesexed) bitches that have not had puppies.
Male dogs are predominately desexed to prevent fighting and straying.
The preferred age for desexing dogs is usually between two and six months. Your veterinary surgeon will advise.
Exercise Is A Very Important Part Of Keeping Your Dog Healthy
It keeps his muscles, heart, lungs and bones strong and healthy. A healthy dog will live longer and has less chance of becoming ill.
It is also fun for your dog. It gives you an opportunity to spend time with him and he will love you for it! There are many different games you can play with your dog to keep him fit:
- Fetch
- Frisbee
- Hide and seek
are some of the more popular ones.
Exercising and playing with your dog also gives him something to do and will keep him happy. Remember - A bored dog is far more likely to get up to mischief, and perhaps find a nice pair of YOUR shoes to start chewing!
Feeding
A healthy diet makes a healthy dog! Make sure your dog has a balanced diet. An all meat diet will lead to nutritional deficiencies and growth problems. The best diet is high quality prepared dog food, both canned and dry. You can feed your dog raw bones but try to avoid giving them any cooked bones as these often splinter and can cause your dog to choke.
Water is essential to your dog's well being and clean water must be available at all times. Make sure your dog has its own food and water bowls placed near its sleeping area.
Make Sure He Doesn't Go Thirsty
Dogs, just like you and me, need water to survive. Your dog should have two water dishes, one in the house and the other in the garden, so that he always has access to at least one of them. These should be refilled with fresh water everyday, and kept cool, clean and fresh at all times.
Winter tips:
In cold winter weather, you should make sure that his water doesn't freeze. You can do this either by :
- Checking his water regularly, or
- Buying a heated dog dish, which will make things easier for you and prevent his water from freezing.
Summer Tips:
It is also important in hot weather to make sure that your dog's water does not become too warm as it will not be able to keep his body cool - and he could become ill. It should be changed often in summer and kept in the shade at all times to help keep it cool.
Signs of Health
A healthy dog should display the following signs of health:
- Demeanour: alert, and quickly responsive to sounds and calls;
- Movement: good stamina in youth, deteriorating with age; no lameness;
- Appetite: enthusiastic for food, eating fast; no vomiting;
- Coat: clean, glossy, and free from parasites and dirt;
- Ears: alert to slightest sound, no discharge or irritation;
- Eyes: clear with no discharge or inflammation;
- Nose: cold and damp when outdoors, dry and warm when indoors; no persistent discharge.
If your dog appears unwell, has lost its appetite or is unresponsive and lacking energy, consult your veterinarian immediately.
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