To keep your dog healthy, you’ll need to provide a variety of things including preventative care, vaccinations, parasite control and dental care. Keeping up with these things will ensure that you and your pet enjoy many happy years together!
Regularly scheduled veterinary examinations are essential for any dog’s well-being. They can detect problems early, before they become life threatening.
Preventative Care
Preventative care for dogs includes things like vaccinations, dental care, and regular wellness exams. This preventative care can help to ensure your dog lives a long and happy life, free from chronic illnesses that could be more expensive to treat if left untreated.
Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect your dog from many diseases and parasites. Your veterinarian will recommend vaccines that are right for your dog based on its age, lifestyle, and location.
Fleas and ticks are the most common parasites that can infest your pet and transmit disease. Your veterinarian will recommend flea and tick prevention to keep your pet safe from these pests.
Vaccinations
One of the most important preventative health care steps a dog owner can take is to vaccinate their pet. Vaccines help protect your pet from serious, life-threatening illnesses such as parvovirus, rabies and distemper.
Vaccines are safe, effective and a proven way to help your pet maintain good health for as long as possible. Vaccines are designed to stimulate your pet’s immune system, so that when your pet comes in contact with the disease-causing organism it develops an antibody response that quickly and effectively attacks and prevents infection.
Vaccines are generally given in a series to give your pet optimal protection against common diseases. The first core vaccine should be given at 6-8 weeks of age, followed by booster vaccinations every 2-4 weeks until your pet is 16 weeks old [1, 2].
Dental Care
Keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy will help them live a long, happy life. In addition, routine dental care is important to avoid other health problems that can affect your pet’s overall wellbeing.
Bad breath, yellow or brown tartar buildup on the teeth and red gums are some of the early signs of dental disease. Left untreated, these issues can lead to infection and spread to other parts of the body.
Dental home care includes brushing your dog’s teeth daily, as well as eating a diet that is especially designed for canine dental health. There are also veterinary-approved products that may help, such as dry dental diets and dental chews.
Grooming
Grooming is a crucial part of dog health care, as it improves maintenance of skin and coat, early detection of conditions, and protection from external parasites. Regular grooming also provides a chance for the pet to be gently handled by humans, which can help alleviate anxiety and stress.
A healthy dog will have a clean, shiny coat free of dandruff or greasy areas that could signal skin problems. It is important to brush the dog’s coat frequently to remove shedding hair and prevent tangles from forming, which can be painful for your dog.
In addition, a well-groomed pet will have healthy nails and paws, which are often an indicator of overall health. A pet that has not had its nails clipped will be more likely to develop ingrown and abscessed nails, which can be extremely painful for the pet.
Health Examinations
A pet health examination is a vital part of your dog’s health care. A thorough exam can uncover a number of problems that may otherwise go undetected, and can help to keep your dog healthy for longer.
The most obvious indicator of your pet’s health is their skin and coat. If you see hot spots, crusty or dry skin, or hair loss, you can be sure there’s something going on with your pet’s health.
The eyes and ears are also examined during a wellness exam. Your veterinarian will check for ear infections, abrasions or other damage, and for signs of parasite infestation or other issues.