Because your dog is a part of your family, you want to help them live a long and healthy life. Here, our Lithia Springs vets offer you tips and advice to help your dog achieve lifelong optimal health.
Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Caring for all of your dog's needs and keeping them healthy is a big responsibility, however, it doesn't have to be complicated. Taking care of your furry friend typically comes down to preventing diseases or/and catching them early. Here are 6 things you can do to help your dog maintain good health.
1 - Feed Your Dog Nutritious Foods
The well-being of your canine companion will depend largely on the quality of the food they eat. To help keep your dog healthy, speak to your vet about the best foods for your dog based on their age, breed, and lifestyle. Your primary care veterinarian can provide you with tips for finding just the right food to meet your pup's nutritional needs.
2 - Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity has been linked to a number of serious conditions in dogs including diabetes and joint pain, so keeping your dog at a healthy weight is essential for optimal health. Once you have chosen a nutritious brand of dog food, your vet will be able to calculate the ideal number of calories your pup should be consuming every day. Once you know how many calories are appropriate for your dog, you will be able to easily work out exactly how much you should be feeding your dog each meal.
3 - Provide Your Pup With Enough Excercise
Different breeds have different exercise requirements. While some dogs can stay healthy with a quick walk around the block, high-energy breeds may need an hour or more of vigorous exercise once or twice a day. Adequate physical activity doesn't just help keep your dog's body in good condition, it can also help prevent mental boredom which could result in anxiety or destructive behaviors. Don't forget to ask your vet or breeder how much exercise your dog will require each day. Walks, backyard games, and social time at dog parks are all great ways to help your pup get enough daily excercise.
4 - Attend Regular Wellness Examinations
Diagnosing and treating conditions in the very earliest stages helps ensure your dog's treatment has the best possible outcomes. Yearly veterinary exams, when your dog seems healthy, are all about prevention, monitoring your pet's overall health, and checking for early signs of developing issues. Your vet will discuss your dog's diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors with you, ask if you have any concerns about your pet's health or behavior, then perform a comprehensive physical examination. Once the exam is complete your veterinarian will explain their findings to you. If anything concerning has been detected your vet will make recommendations regarding diet, diagnostic testing, or treatment.
5 - Keep Vaccines Current
At Westside Animal Emergency Clinic our vets believe that vaccines are key to helping your pooch live a long and healthy life. Regularly scheduled vaccinations help protect your dog from a range of highly contagious, possibly life-threatening diseases. Most states require by law that all pets be vaccinated against rabies, but there are a number of other serious conditions that vaccines protect dogs against including parvo, distemper, and panleukopenia.
6 - Prevent Parasites
Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes can all carry organisms that lead to a range of diseases that seriously threaten the health and longevity of your dog. A bite from one of these parasites could cause your dog to become gravely ill if not protected. Speak to your vet about the most effective ways to protect your pooch against a full range of tick-borne diseases, heartworms, and other parasitic conditions common in your area.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.