Caring for your pup's health doesn't have to be overwhelming. With lots of love and attention, these 6 tips from our Fairfield, NJ vet team can help you keep your dog happy and healthy for a long time to come.
Your Dog's Health
You love your dog, but looking after your canine companion's health is a big responsibility. It doesm't, however, have to be complicated. These tips are only a guideline but can set you well on the path to having a happy, healthy dog.
1. Meet Your Dog's Nutritional Needs
Your dog's well-being is greatly affected by the quality of their diet. To help keep your dog healthy, speak 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
Obesity has been linked to a number of serious conditions in dogs including diabetes and joint pain, so keeping your dog at a healthy weight for their breed and size is essential. Once you have chosen a nutritious food for your pooch, your vet will be able to calculate the ideal number of calories your dog should consume each day. From there, you will be able to easily work out exactly how much you should be feeding your dog each meal.
3. Make Sure Your Dog Stays Active
Different breeds have different exercise requirements. While some dogs can stay healthy with a quick walk around the block, high-energy breeds may need an hour or more of vigorous exercise once or twice a day. Adequate 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 dog gets plenty of exercise.
4. Don't Skip Your Dog's Annual Wellness Exams
Diagnosing and treating conditions as early as possible helps to ensure the best treatment outcomes. Even when your dog seems healthy, annual veterinary exams 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 Fairfield, NJ vets believe that vaccinations are essential for helping your pet live a long and healthy life. Regularly scheduled vaccines help to protect your dog from 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 the health and longevity of your dog. A bite from one of these parasites could cause your dog to become gravely ill if not protected. 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.