10 Basic Tips for a Healthy Dog.

‘Health is wealth’ is a popular and valid saying in human health. This is also applicable to your dog. Keeping your dog healthy is very important and should be of priority to you if you really cherish your furry pet. Dogs are susceptible to various diseases. Interestingly, a good number of these diseases can be prevented. Keep your dog healthy with these few tips and safe yourself unnecessary stress and expenses.

Feed Your Dog Well

Your dog is what you feed him. Feed your dog with good dog food. By good, I mean balanced and nutritious, and, not necessarily expensive food. A good and nutritious food contains all the nutrients needed by your dog in the right proportion. This is important for optimum growth and keeps him healthy. The nutritional requirement of your dog vary with age and the status of your pet. Consult your Veterinarian for help with you dog. Avoid feeding your dog with junks, expired food and contaminated food.

Exercise Your Dog

Just like you, your dog needs exercise to be physically and mentally fit. Always, walk, jog and play with your dog. This will keep your dog at optimum weight and prevent heart diseases. Exercise requirement of your pet depends on its breed, age, health status and sex.

Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Water is essential for life. It is the main components of the living cells of the body. Also, it makes the highest proportion of the body’s weight. Thus, a dog needs clean water to stay alive and healthy. The quantity of water required by a dog is determined by the age, size, activity level and the weather condition. Generally, it has been estimated that a dog requires 55 – 110 ml per kilogramme per day. So, a 10 Kg dog requires about 0.55 – 1.1 litres of water per day. Dehydration occurs in dogs with insufficient water supply.

Watch Your Pet’s Weight

Just as you are conscious of your weight and you want to shed off excess weight. Similarly, be conscious of your dog’s weight. Obesity predisposes your dog to a number of diseases including heart diseases, diabetes and so on. To prevent these, exercise your dog daily and feed your dog with balanced and nutritious diet.

Pay Attention to Your Environment

A dirty environment breeds disease-causing agents, especially, bacteria and fungi. Ensure your pet’s house is clean. Always. Wash the food and water bowls regularly.  Remove harmful objects from the environment. Also, keep toxic or poisonous substances out of the reach of your pets. Bathe and groom your dog regularly.

Vaccinate Your Dog

Vaccination is very important in keeping your dog healthy. It is a way of immunizing your dog against diseases. A good number of serious and fatal dog diseases e.g. rabies, parvo, etc. can be prevented simply by vaccinating your puppy/dog. Veterinarians have a standard vaccination schedule for these diseases. Visit your Veterinarian for a vaccination schedule applicable to your pet and locality.

Kick and Keep Ectoparasites Out

Ectoparasites e.g. ticks, fleas, mites, lice, etc. are probably your pet’s worst enemies. They affect the health of your dog through disease transmission, skin damages, anaemia, itches and distractions. It is better and cheaper to prevent these bugs. But if your dog is infected already, simply visit your Vet for examination, diagnosis and treatment.

Neuter or Spay your Dog

If you are not a breeder, spay your dog. That way, aggressive behaviour in the male can be reduced and diseases such prostate cancer, testicular diseases and hernia can be prevented. Also, the female will not cycle. Subsequently, diseases such as breast cancer, pyometra etc. will be automatically prevented as well.

Oral care

Dogs can have Halitosis (bad breath). This can be caused by infection of the teeth and gums by bacteria as a result of food particle accumulation (dental plaque). Therefore, it is important to check your dog’s mouth regularly. Also, brush your dog’s teeth using canine toothpaste and brush.

Visit Your Vet

All things being equal, it is recommended that you visit your Veterinarian once in a year for check-up. This is because some diseases can be subclinical, that is, do not show any obvious signs until great damages are done in the system. Your Vet will examine your pet and make necessary recommendations.

Finally, in health management, preventing diseases is easier and cheaper than treating them. Keep your dog healthy and happy. Be richer, healthier and happier as well.

source: https://emovet.com/10-basic-tips-for-a-healthy-dog/

Before You Get Your First Pet: 4 Necessary Preparations.

Becoming a pet owner or parent is a journey that so many people embark on without adequate preparation. Getting a pet is like adopting a new lifestyle, especially, if you have no prior interaction or familiarity with animals.

Just as in starting any new thing, you need to plan and make preparations. Preparing for your pet is simply making necessary adjustments in your space to create a comfortable atmosphere for your pets.

Here, I will be unveiling four (4) areas you need to focus on as you prepare to welcome your new pet(s).

Physical Preparation for your pet

Your home will be having a new pet and the pet will be having a new home. Either way, there is need for adjustment on both ends. The pet will need to adapt to the new environment just as you will need to ensure your environment is conducive for the pet.

Yes, you need a pet house because your pet needs a house. That said, you will have to decide on the design of your pet house. Choose a design that will be conducive for the pet and fit in your house. A conducive design for the pet would mean a design that imitates its natural habitat.

Read more here: https://emovet.com/before-you-get-your-first-pet-4-necessary-preparations/