A Few Ideas on How to Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy

Dogs are our best friends because once they enter in your life, they become loyal for a lifetime. If you are planning to adopt a dog, you you just recently did that, you need to know that these lovely creatures become family members and require proper attention. That being said, caring for your dog doesn’t require only buying veterinary supplies. Dogs don’t need only food, water and shelter to be happy, they also need to be entertained with different dog toys and to be given love and care so they can thrive.

Routine care is one of the most important things a pet owner can do for its dog. Dogs cannot communicate with us directly and that is why it is very important to be intuitive and take proper care of them. Regular checkups, proper medications, vaccinations, grooming, dental care and so on are essential to keep your dog healthy and safe and to set the foundation for long and happy life with your adorable furry friend.

The Importance of Veterinary Care

Regular checkups are very important because they allow your veterinarian to perform a variety of health screens that can lead to early detection of a disease or to spot warning signs of a serious illness. If you have just gotten a puppy, you should take him to the vet every three to four weeks until it is about four months old.

If you have a dog that is older than seven years, you should take him to the vet at least twice a year or even more frequently because they are more prone to illness and that way, they can be identified sooner. Also, your vet can recommend a wellness program for your dog, sometimes including routine blood work so he/she can easily detect health problems such as early kidney or liver disease.

You should always follow the instructions your veterinarian provides and buy all necessary veterinary supplies for your furry pal. Nowadays you can find all the essential vet supplies online by searching for a pharmacy for pets that is focused on health care related products. That way you can manage your pet’s health easier, buying quality pet health products and medications for affordable prices.

Make sure the pharmacy for pets supplies a comprehensive range of pet products including parasite control products, veterinary and prescription diets, pet health care products, skin care and supplements, so you can find anything you need easily.

General Signs of Illness

Since you know your dog more than anyone else, you are the first person who can detect early signs of an illness. That is why you should observe your dog carefully and if there is a subtle sign of an illness, you should immediately visit your vet. General signs of illness include lack of appetite, decrease activity, or sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, frequent urination, sneezing, coughing, discharge from the eyes, ears of nose etc.

You can sometimes detect an illness if your dog is losing hair or if he cannot stop itching his skin or ears. Moreover, if your dog is not being active as usual or is noticeably slow when getting up, it might have problems with the musculoskeletal system and you should immediately provide proper care.

Note: Don’t buy anything without a prescription because you can make your pet’s condition worse without knowing it.

Giving Medications

Chewable medications and pills are relatively easy to give to a dog. They can be hidden in small treats such as a piece of cheese or a bit of peanut butter which will make your dog take them with pleasure. If you are not sure that your dog will swallow the pill, gently hold its muzzle closed until you are sure it has swallowed it.

If you have a puppy, it is more likely that your vet will prescribe you some liquid medications. They can be given by syringe, inserting the medicament near the back teeth on either side of your dog’s mouth.

If your dog is scratching or licking excessively, it is likely to have skin problem. In that case you should look for spot-on products or other topical medications at the vet pharmacy that are directly applied on your pet’s coat or skin.

If your dog has problems with his eyes or ears, it will need eye drops or ear medications. Once your vet demonstrates you how to apply them, you will be able to do that by yourself later at home. However, regardless of the type of medication, you should always read and follow all label instructions.

Vaccinations

There are several vaccines that are routinely given to dogs as the core defense against serious infections such as distemper, rabies, parvovirus etc. Other vaccines considered as noncore, are given in certain regions and situations, for example Lyme disease, Bordetella etc.

You don’t need to worry about this, because your veterinarian is familiar with all types of vaccines and he/she will advise you which vaccines are necessary in your area and circumstances. Vaccines are the key component of preventive medicine. They stimulate the immune system against infections and that is why it is important to vaccinate your pets when its necessary.

Grooming

It is very important to brush your dog’s hair coat regularly as to remove shed hair and to prevent hair mats. Grooming is particularly important for dogs who have thick or shaggy hair coats that mat easily. However, mats can irritate the skin and the moist conditions underneath them can leave the skin more susceptible to bacterial or parasite infections and that is why grooming is essential part of a dog’s health care. So if your dog has mats, it is advisable to remove them with an electric clipper instead with scissors so to avoid cutting the skin underneath.

Moreover, if you want your dog to have clean and healthy skin, you should give him a bath with a pet shampoo. Anyway, you shouldn’t do that every day because bathing regularly can irritate and dry your dog’s hair and skin. So, normally, bathing your dog once a month can be sufficient, but it surely depends on the time of the year and the weather conditions as well.

Dental Care

Dogs need dental attention throughout their lives because good dental care can reduce the development of plaques, which if untreated, can progress to gingivitis and periodontal disease. That is why you should regularly visit the vet and keep your dog’s teeth in good condition by feeding him with dry food, provide certain toys like flossie-style bones, brush your dog’s teeth regularly and follow a program of professional cleaning and oral care performed by your vet.