Keeping your pup happy and healthy is another part of owning a dog. Regardless of breed, keep your pets healthy, because after all, they are your family members. I know you only want what’s best for your family.
Preventative Care
Routine visits to the vet act as the first line of defense for your fluffy family member. Just like regular check-ups for yourself and kids, your pets well-being requires the same type of care. Preventative measures aid in quickly catching any potential issues, for instance cancer. Wesley and his brother get annual shots, regular fecal exams, blood panels, a dental evaluation, and a full body examination/physical. We carry pet insurance on both of them for our piece of mind.
Oral Hygiene
Dental exams and cleaning your pups teeth is included in preventative care. Your dogs teeth should be routinely checked for plaque buildup, tarter, cavities, gum disease, inflammation, mouth irritations, oral cancer, among other things. Bad breath is good sign your furry friend’s mouth needs some serious attention. Now, I don’t know about you, but I find it extremely difficult to brush SomeDog’s teeth. If you have the same troubles, there are treats and other things you can do to help. For instance, some prescription dog food will aid in plaque and tarter control. There are also dental chews/treats, water additives, oral sprays and gels, cleanse pads, and special chew toys. However, if you are able to, brushing is always the best option for your dog.
Exercise
Here I am again talking about exercising your dog. That’s because I know how important it really is; just as it is important for your health. Dogs should maintain healthy body weight, stay fit, and active. Even just walking everyday helps, and while you’re walking you can always practice training too! If you find it difficult to exercise your pet, there are people willing to do it for you (for a fee of course). We have a dog walker come by if we know we will be out late one night. Remember, lack of exercise = boredom = destructive behavior.
Flea & Tick Prevention
Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and other parasites can be potentially fatal to your pups. Fleas can cause skin irritations and Lyme disease. Mosquitoes cause heartworms and can be fatal if not caught and treated. Internal parasites are not good either. When Wesley was younger, he contracted Cryptosporidium. It gave him bad intestinal issues and constant diarrhea – poor guy! We think he got it from the dog park water bowls. When dogs run around the dog park they obviously step in poop, then some of them put their feet in the water bowls. Wesley also picked up Canine Papilloma Virus on his ear, which we can only assume from the park as well. If we ever go to the dog park, which is extremely rare, we make sure to bring our own water bowl and stop them from drinking out of the community bowls.
