Dog Health Care
Posted on October 20th, 2010 Written by +Brian Benson Email Author
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Having a pet dog is a very rewarding and pleasant experience. However, the many benefits of owning a dog also come with a string of responsibilities involved in caring for it. Because dogs cannot convey in words how they are feeling, it is up to the owners to decide on the best steps that should be taken concerning dog health care.
Prevention is Better than Cure
Just because a veterinarian is within reach does not mean that dog owners should not be prepared beforehand in taking the necessary actions regarding dog health care. Ensuring that the dog is healthy and clean goes a long way in avoiding serious health illnesses that could afflict the pet’s condition. To achieve this, dog owners must learn the basics of dog health care.
Basics of Dog Health Care
Dog care is a continuous process of safeguarding and protecting your lovable pet. It involves vigilant observation, constant hands-on supervision, and practices that would ensure prevention of major health diseases. Through this process, dog owners will be able to easily recognize symptoms of injury or illness before the dog’s condition worsens.
Here are some of the dog health care areas that dog owners should focus on:
Environment
Dog owners should make sure that their pets feel safe and comfortable within and around the house they live in. They must be provided with the necessary comforts, such as clean water, comfortable bed, and a few chew toys, that will help them rest peacefully and relax on their own.
One more thing that could help an owner care for a dog is to make sure that the house they reside in is safe from hazardous elements that could endanger any pet. This is a preventive measure and, at the same time, a proactive health care action for the dog.
Puppy proofing simply means making the effort to check the house if there are any dangerous objects that can be chewed on by the dog or might hurt the pet. This will not only benefit the dog, it would also protect the other inhabitants of the house from being hurt by scattered objects that their pet could knock over. Cleaning products, paint products, medications, and any other toxic substances that could hurt the dog should also be kept from its reach.
Dog Nutrition
The most important aspect of the dog health care process is the kind of food that is being fed to the pet. The nutrition that the dogs get from the food being given to them will directly affect their health and disposition. The food they eat should contain the amount of vitamins, proteins and minerals that would meet their daily dietary requirement.
A good dog nutrition would not only affect the dog’s health. It will also improve the appearance of the pet’s coat, teeth and nails. That is why dog owners should make sure that they are choosing healthy dog food for their pets. Improperly balanced dog foods will affect both their moods and appearance.
Dog Grooming and Bathing
Another crucial component in proper dog health care is the proper grooming and bathing of the dog. When dogs feel that they are clean and fresh, their outlook is happy and healthy. They interpret this feeling as being loved by their owners. When they feel dirty and smelly, their disposition is grumpy and moody. They might think that they are being neglected.
In dog grooming, the dog’s external body parts will be cleaned and spruced up. The dog’s hair will be combed to undo any tangles and mats, or a haircut can also be done. The ears will be cleansed and ear medication could be applied if needed. The nails will be trimmed, while the teeth will be brushed. The dog owners should make sure that they have the complete grooming tools handy to make their tasks easier to accomplish.
Ensuring that these tasks are regularly done will go a long way in avoiding any serious illness to go unnoticed by the pet owner.
Regular Dog Inspection
A regular inspection of the pet should also be conducted by the dog owner. Going over the dog’s whole body once a week or even once every couple of weeks should be enough, but they must be done consistently. It might come as a surprise to dog owners that this practice could be enjoyable to their pets. Their dogs might think that they are being given a massage.
When doing the scheduled inspection, owners should check if their pets have bumps, cuts, hot spots, lumps, or any irritated patch of skin. To confirm and verify the significance of these symptoms and whether they should already go to a veterinarian, dog owners can consult a dog health book to get themselves informed.
Any changes in the dog’s behavior should also be observed. Since dogs cannot communicate with their owners the human way, it will be up to the owners to monitor and check if they are feeling any discomfort. There are some instances wherein dog aggression is a by-product of the discomfort the pet is experiencing.
Again, observing and inspecting one’s pet will help avoid any disease or illness to worsen before it gets treated.
Dog Exercise
In a dog health care program, exercising one’s dog is also a must. This activity will not only foster a closer bond between dog and owner, it will also present an opportunity for the dog to expend its excess energy.
Dog exercise will aid the dog in being in shape and veer away from being obese. Overweight dogs have a higher risk of contracting various health problems like arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.
Owners can choose from different activities to exercise their dogs. They can play fetch using various toys, which can be really fun for both owner and dog. Other ideas are walking, hiking and having them play with fellow dogs in the park. Some of these activities can also provide a healthy exercise for the dog owners themselves.
Dog Training
In the process of dog health care, training obedience is an activity that could help improve a dog’s health. While dogs are being trained, they will get a lot of mental and physical stimulation. These stimulations will encourage them to be active and have fun.
When dogs are properly trained, they can be allowed to join family excursions and activities where they can burn up their excess energy.
First Aid for Dogs
Dog health care also needs the owners to be prepared and well-equipped when emergency dog situations occur. They should be able to determine if the situation is a minor one and can be treated on their own, or if it is a major one and the dog should be brought to the vet.
Dog owners must be ready to confidently administer natural pet remedies if the injury is not a serious one. Reading dog health books will definitely pay off during scenarios like these.
What Dogs Should Not Eat
In handling a dog health care program, owners should make sure that their dogs steer clear from certain foods that can be hazardous to their health. Since dogs normally eat anything within reach, it will be up to the dog owners to take away these things that could cause illness to their dogs. Owners should hide them well because dogs would still be able to track them if poorly hidden due to their well-developed sense of smell.
An example of these toxic food items is chocolate. While chocolates are enjoyed by human beings, the high antioxidant content of this sweet concoction can prove lethal for dogs. There are even certain dog breeds that trigger outrageous reactions from them when they eat chocolates.
Another dangerous food item is coffee. The caffeine content of this beverage can cause seizures, heart palpitations, diarrhea, coma, and even death.
Overseeing Dog Medication
As mentioned in the dog health care basics, dispensing dog medication at home is a skill that should be learned by dog owners. These are the steps that should be followed in giving a dog a pill:
- Owners must place their left hand on top of the muzzle, while lifting the dog’s head slightly. Using the thumb and forefinger, the jaws should be pressed gently.
- The thumb should then be placed behind the lengthy canine tooth and push gently. Doing this will cause the dog’s mouth to open.
- Using the other hand, put the pill at the bottom of the dog’s tongue.
- Close the dog’s mouth, and then keep it closed using one hand. Lightly caress the dog’s throat using the other hand. Doing this will persuade the dog to ingest the pill.
- In the event that the dog does not ingest the pill, place a treat across its nose. Saliva will pool inside its mouth and will cause the dog to finally swallow the pill.
- Allow the dog to eat the promised treat.
Dog owners should keep in mind that they must not use their own medications to cure their dogs. The medicines used by humans could be toxic for them since they process food differently from human beings.
Signals When to Consult a Veterinarian
Dog health care can only do so much and there are emergency dog situations wherein only a veterinarian can be the best person to take charge. Here are the symptoms that would tell dog owners to bring their dogs to a veterinarian the earliest time possible:
- Choking
- Vomiting
- Difficulty in urinating
- Difficulty in breathing
- Bleeding from the nose, mouth, genitals or anus
- Not eating in over 24 hours
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme fatigue
Dog Health Issues for the Pro
In dog health care, there are instances when owners will need to bring their dogs to a veterinarian where certain medical concerns can be administered or addressed. Here are some of the issues that only professional practitioners can accomplish:
Vaccination
There are certain dog illnesses that are not curable and the only means to avoid them is to get the dog vaccinated. Protecting the dog through vaccination can be done when owners bring their pets to a veterinarian who will perform the necessary checkups and assessments. This will help in the discernment of which types of vaccines should be administered to a particular dog.
Dogs should not be taken out without having booster shots that will protect them from contracting any type of viral diseases.
Neutering a Dog
If dog owners are not interested in breeding their dogs, then they should have their pets neutered by a veterinarian. Neutering and spaying will also help prevent dogs from experiencing serious health problems as they grow old.
Worming and Flea Control
Dog owners consider controlling worms and fleas as one of the major dog health care issues that they need to tackle. In the treatment and prevention of these annoying and destructive parasites, it would be wise to have a professional practitioner handle them.
The veterinarian will suggest an effective flea control for the dog and owners will need to follow it faithfully to avoid this health issue from getting out of hand. A flea management program should also be accomplished for the owner’s entire house to effectively eliminate the source of these harmful parasites.
Annual Medical Inspection
A dog health care program should also include an annual veterinary checkup or wellness examination. There will be a series of test that will be conducted by the vet to check for any irregularities or deficiencies in the dog’s body. This will ensure that the dog will be kept in tiptop shape.
Dog Health Insurance
The dog health care program should also include a dog health insurance. Medical treatments nowadays are getting more and more expensive. Dog owners would make a smart decision in acquiring a pet insurance as soon as possible. This will ensure that their dogs will be covered for medical expenses no matter what happens, especially during emergencies.
However, dog owners should also decide wisely in choosing the policy that would suit their pets’ needs. They should ask the right questions and inquire about the coverage their dog will be getting. Ask for a dog insurance quote from different insurance companies and make a comparison. This will help the dog owners to avoid being asked to pay for treatments they thought were already covered by their policy.
Owning a dog surely provides pleasant and enjoyable moments to the dog owners. Certain studies even show that owners get health benefits by having a dog by their side. Ensuring that their dogs have an efficient dog health care program would be a great way to give back to their furry friends and guarantee a longer time spent together.
