Dogs depend on us to help them stay healthy.
This can be tough because their needs are so different from ours – yet so similar.
Like humans, dogs live longer when they eat a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise, and meet their mental and emotional needs.
Caring for your dog and making the best choices for their health begins when you first bring them home and continues until your last day together. It’s one of the hardest, most beautiful, and most exciting journeys in life.
You will learn a lot. You will regret this. You’ll overcome health challenges, manage others, and sometimes you’ll get your way.
I don’t have all the answers, but through my writing, my ultimate goal is to help you learn to wade through all the information, research, advice, myths, and mysteries and hopefully help your dog live a long, healthy, happy life with you.
what to feed your dog
There is no one-size-fits-all diet for all dogs. In fact, some dogs seem to be healthiest on the cheapest kibble, while others only feel best on fresh, raw diets that contain exotic, hard-to-get proteins like alligator and kangaroo.
Although our dogs evolved from wolves, which typically ate wild prey, that doesn’t mean a dog’s optimal diet should be exactly the same as a wolf’s. Natural things aren’t always good, and wild animals don’t live long without disease, broken teeth, upset stomachs, and other health issues.
All we can do is provide the highest quality food within our budget, with fresh and healthy snacks, snacks and ingredients.learn more about what to feed your dog.
regular veterinary care
Dogs should see a veterinarian at least once a year for a health check.
During puppyhood, dogs need core vaccines to protect them from life-threatening viruses like parvovirus and distemper. You are also required by law to vaccinate your dog against rabies every three years.
You can choose from other vaccines such as kennel cough, leptospirosis, giardia, and Lyme disease. These can protect your dog if you go to parks, wooded areas, doggy daycares, boarding kennels, grooming parlors, or other places where your dog may contract diseases.
Heartworm disease is a serious disease that is difficult to treat and can be life-threatening. It’s easy to prevent by giving your dog a monthly heartworm preventive, which is only available with a veterinarian’s prescription. That’s because your dog needs to test negative for heartworm before starting prophylaxis.
Your dog may also undergo a stool test to check for parasites, a urine test to check for infection and diabetes, and a complete blood count to detect abnormal liver enzymes, white blood cells, or other markers of disease that may be asymptomatic.
Your veterinarian is your best friend’s best friend, even if you and your pup don’t expect a visit. Ask your veterinarian if your dog is at a healthy weight, if they have dietary recommendations, or if you have any concerns about your dog’s health. Your veterinarian is here to help!
home care
Between veterinary visits, your dog needs daily home care to help them stay healthy.
If they have a long coat that mats easily, brush their coat weekly and daily during shedding season.
trim your dog’s nailspreferably using a nail grinder, 1-2 times a month.
Brush your dog’s teeth every night, ideally. If brushing is difficult, you can also use water additives, dental treatments, gels or wipes, but nothing beats brushing.Only use toothpaste made specifically for dogs, such as Pet smiles.
Common Dog Health Problems
Learn about your dog’s breed and find out which genetic diseases they may be predisposed to.
For small dogs, especially toy dogs, problems such as tracheal collapse, anal gland problemsdislocated patella, and reverse sneeze Very common, ranging from occasionally uncomfortable to quite severe.
Signs to watch for include:
- itching and scratching May indicate allergies, dry skin, or fleas
- redness, warmth, or discharge Can indicate an infection in almost any part of the body and should be treated as soon as possible because the infection can spread quickly
- Vomiting, loss of appetite, gas, and diarrhea May indicate indigestion, poor diet, stress, gastric blockage, or viruses such as parvovirus.See a veterinarian if stomach upset persists for more than 24 hours, or if it seems severe, if you notice any bleeding, or if your dog is very young or very old
- Difficulty breathing Guaranteed travel to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital
- collapse, convulsions, loss of consciousness, fatigue also means emergency
- Pale or discolored gums, lips, and eyeliner Also emergency warning sign
As a general rule of thumb, if you experience the same symptoms, get your dog the same (or better) care you would get yourself. Dogs can’t tell us when they’re in pain, and they often continue to eat, wag their tails, and play even when they’re not feeling their best.
If you’re not sure whether your dog is an emergency or can wait, you can call your veterinarian’s office or emergency veterinarian, or seek an online veterinary appointment for advice.
your dog’s best life
Every pet parent has different resources, finances and travel avenues. All our dogs want and need from us is the best we can and never stop trying to do better for them.
- Try to keep your dog at a healthy weight
- Take as many walks as possible for physical exercise and mental stimulation
- Train and teach your dog new skills whenever possible
- Feed Your Dog Every Day The Best Diet You Can Afford
- Make sure you have access to emergency funds, or at least an emergency line of credit
- Do your best to understand your dog’s needs, desires, and motivations — and always be open to learning, whether from dog training and care resources, or the dog in front of you.
You don’t need me to tell you this, but I will say it anyway – you are already the best pet parent for your dog. Any goal you may have, whether it’s helping them get or stay healthy, stop bad behaviors, or enjoy them for as long as possible – that’s what I’m here to help!
she also uses her pet copywriting business Make sure to find the best pet products and services online with engaging copywriting and fun, informative blog posts.she also offers Product Description Writing Services for e-commerce companies.
As Matilda and Cow’s dog mom, she spends most of her day walking and practicing new tricks while trying to make the most of the very modest part of her bed most evenings.
You’ll also find her baking and homemade pizza, laughing, painting and shopping.
