Your dog's health is of the utmost importance, but that doesn't mean it has to be complicated. Along with plenty of love and attention, simply follow these 6 tips from our Laguna Woods vets to help your dog live a long and healthy life.
Your Dog's Health
You love your dog, but caring for the health of your canine companion is a big responsibility. That said, caring for your pup's health doesn't need to be complicated; focus on lots of love and follow these 6 steps to help your dog maintain their health between vet checkups.
1: Feed Your Dog Nutritious Food
Your dog's well-being will depend heavily on the quality of the food they are fed. To help keep your dog healthy, talk to your vet about the best foods for your dog based on age, breed, and lifestyle. Your vet will be happy to offer tips for finding just the right food to meet your pup's nutritional needs.
2: Help Your Dog Maintain A Healthy Weight
Carrying extra weight has been linked to a number of serious illnesses in dogs including diabetes and painful joints, so keeping your dog at a healthy weight is crucial for optimal health. Once you have chosen a nutritious food for your dog, your vet will be able to estimate the optimal number of calories your dog should consume each 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: Make Sure Your Dog Gets Adequate Exercise
Different dog breeds have different exercise needs. Some dogs can stay healthy with a quick walk around the block, but high-energy breeds may need an hour or more of energetic activity 1 – 2 times daily. Sufficient physical activity not only helps to keep your dog's body in good condition, but it can also help to prevent mental boredom which can lead to destructive behaviors or anxiety. Be sure to ask your vet or breeder about the appropriate amount of exercise for your dog. Walks, backyard games, and social time at dog parks are all great ways to ensure your pooch gets plenty of exercise.
4: Take Your Dog To Yearly Annual Wellness Exams
Diagnosing and treating conditions in the very earliest stages helps to ensure the best treatment outcomes. Annual 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 discuss any findings with you. If anything concerning has been detected your vet will make recommendations regarding diet, diagnostic testing, or treatment.
5: Keep Vaccinations Up-To-Date
Our Laguna Woods vets believe that vaccinations are essential for helping your pet live a long and healthy life. Regularly scheduled vaccines help to safeguard your dog against many highly contagious, potentially 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: Provide Parasite Prevention
Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes can all carry organisms that lead to a range of diseases that seriously threaten your dog's ongoing health and longevity. A bite from one of these parasites could cause your dog to become gravely ill if they don't have parasite protection. 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.