10 Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy

It’s your responsibility to keep your dog healthy. A proper diet, regular grooming, exercise, and routine checkups at the veterinarian will help keep your dog in excellent form. It’s also essential for you to get to know your dog’s eating habits, drinking, sleeping, and other activities.

Get On A Vaccination Schedule

Vaccines are one of the surest ways to protect your dog’s health. Vaccines prevent severe contagious diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvo, which can be fatal. The schedule of the vaccines will vary based on your dog’s health. 

Generally, puppies should get their first set of shots around six weeks and then every three weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Adult dogs need to be revaccinated every one to three years.

Spay Or Neuter

Spaying a female dog prevents her from going into heat and prevents various diseases like pyometra, breast cancer, or uterus infection. Neutering a male dog helps prevent prostate disease, testicular cancer, and hernias and mellow out aggressive behavior.

Take Your Dog To The Vet

Learning what is normal for your dog is key to recognizing anything that is or has become abnormal. Observe when your dog is a puppy. Make sure that the vaccinations and such are up-to-date. Your dog could be exposed to various diseases, so keep your pet protected and remember that the rabies vaccine is mandatory in all states.

Proper Nutrition

Proper nutrition is necessary for keeping your dog healthy. Diet directly affects your dog’s weight, skin and coat, weight, energy level, and gastrointestinal function. If there’s an issue in one of these areas, maybe your dog’s not getting enough nutrition.

Choose high-quality dog food from a reputable company, or consult your vet about balanced diets. Observe your dog’s response to those diets; if it’s good, then good, or if your dog’s response is inadequate, it may be time to look into other foods.

Exercise

Exercise promotes physical and mental health for your pup. Keep your pet moving, engage in various activities. Take your pet on a daily walk or play. The training and time don’t matter as long as your pup is moving and using energy.

There are many indoor activities and alternatives to keep your dog fit.

Benefits of daily exercise include:

• Relieves Boredom
• Promotes Healthy Digestion
• Promotes Good Muscle Tone
• Promotes Healthy Bones
• Strengthens The Heart, Circulation, And Lungs
• Aids Weight Loss
• Increases Self-Esteem
• Increases Your Pooches Happy Hormones
• Decreases Depression
• Decreases The Chances Of Obesity
• Decreases Risks Of Certain Cancers
• Decreases The Chance Of Diabetes

Regular Grooming

Dog’s grooming is more about hygiene and less about showing them off. Generally, your dog’s grooming needs will depend on its breed. 

• Take your dog for a monthly nail trim and bath. Dogs with excess growing hair may need a haircut every four to six weeks. 
• For short-haired dogs, brush the coat every week,
• For long-haired dogs, brush them out daily. 

Once you determine your dog’s grooming needs, choose if you will be doing it yourself or using a professional. 

Socialization

Socialization in their early stages of life with appropriate exposure to various situations and people decreases the odds of antisocial or aggressive behaviors as an adult. From a few weeks old to about 16 to 18 weeks, a pet’s formative years are the most critical period for socialization. So ensure they get enough people and animal interaction throughout their life. 

Communicate With Your Dog 

Dogs are social animals, and they require interaction. Quality time will help you understand your dog’s particular needs and that it might have and enhance your ability to recognize early signs of any illness. Plus, time spent in developing a relationship will help prevent many undesirable behavioral patterns. 

Medications

Taking preventative medications works wonders with regular veterinarian checkups. Medications can keep your pet clear of unwanted health issues, like flea-related diseases, tick-borne illnesses, or heartworm. 

Plus, regularly brushing your dog’s teeth and giving him dental chews help prevent dental disease, which can lead to more severe health problems if not treated timely.

Train Your Dog For Simple Commands

The better your dog is at following easy and necessary commands, the greater the chances of living a safe and long life. Dog training classes can be beneficial. 

Final Words

Your dog may show various signs that indicate a health problem. Like humans, dogs can develop a mild illness that determines independently, so not all signs are reasons for alarm. Ask the veterinarian for advice on healthcare and prevention, and be sure to seek medical advice if your dog is ill or hurt.