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Ten Tips for Keeping Your Dog Healthy

Dogs are a significant part of the family. You love your dog, so you want to help it live a long, happy, and healthy life. Here are ten tips to help you keep your dog as healthy as possible:

Feed Your Dog Correctly

To keep your dog healthy, you need to pay attention to its nutrition by feeding it the correct amount of the right food. Feeding your dog too much will make it obese. A significantly overweight dog is prone to heart disease, diabetes, and other obesity-related diseases.

Check how much food your breed and age of dog needs, and avoid giving it extra no matter how much it whines or pleads. It will also help if you feed your dog a healthy brand of dog food. If you are unsure about what type of food to feed your dog, ask your vet about which variety is best. Restrict the number of treats you give your dog, and provide a steady supply of fresh water to help it avoid dehydration.

Socialize Your Dog

You should make sure your dog grows accustomed to being around other dogs and humans while still a puppy. Your pet can suffer significant injuries if it gets into a fight with another dog. If your dog bites someone, you may face a fine. In the worst-case scenario, the authorities may destroy your dog for attacking a human. If you own a dog, it is your responsibility to make sure it is socialized correctly. Dog behaviorists can help tame an unruly dog that is aggressive towards humans or other dogs.

Dog Supplements

You can help prevent your dog from getting sick by purchasing the correct supplements and preventative medications. For instance, you can buy fish oil capsules for dog breeds prone to joint pain or purchase probiotics for a pet with a sensitive stomach. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian before giving a supplement to your dog.

Plenty Of Exercise

A dog that does not get enough exercise will gain weight and potentially suffer from diseases linked to obesity. Dogs also need the mental stimulation they gain from exploring new sights and smells on a walk. Therefore, not walking your canine friend will damage its physical and psychological health.

Find out how much exercise your dog breed needs. Try to do everything you can to make sure you meet its requirements. However, do not overwalk your dog. This is particularly important if it is a breed such as a French bulldog with a shorter muzzle prone to respiratory issues. Avoid walking your dog on hot days. Hot surfaces can blister your dog’s paws. When the weather is hot, look for alternative forms of exercise such as swimming or using a treadmill at home.

Groom Your Dog

All dog breeds have unique grooming needs. Breeds with long or curly coats tend to require more grooming. If you do not bother to groom your dog, dirt and dead skin will build up. What is more, its coat will eventually become matted and tangled. Not grooming your dog can lead to skin infections and dermatological issues such as itching, bald spots, and dry patches. If you are not sure about your breed’s grooming requirements, check with your vet or do some research online.

Love And Attention

Responsible dog owners give their pets plenty of love and attention because they understand that there will be consequences if they do not. Dogs that do not receive enough attention and love develop unwanted behavioral issues. Dogs need plenty of scratches, tummy rubs, and regular snuggles for the good of their mental health. If you intend to leave it out in the yard all day, you should not bother getting a dog.

Some dog breeds need more attention than others. Your dog will let you know if it needs more attention from you. You can also check with your vet to ask how much attention your breed typically requires.

Spaying Or Neutering

There are many good reasons to have your dog spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering can reduce a dog’s risk of developing some cancers and prolong its life. Neutering can reduce aggression in male dogs. Spaying stops female dogs from going into heat, meaning you do not need to deal with associated symptoms such as bloody discharge or moodiness. Spaying and neutering also lead to fewer unwanted dogs pining away in animal shelters.

Checkups At the Vet

Try to get your dog checked out by the veterinarian at least once a year. Regular checkups will help your vet detect any dangerous health conditions or diseases early. When your vet discovers signs of illness early, you can take the appropriate steps to safeguard your pet’s health. Regular checkups also help you keep an eye on your dog’s weight to prevent it from becoming obese.

Keeping Your Dog Safe

Dogs tend to jump over fences and get lost. You can help keep your dog safe by having it microchipped. Ensure any toxic household chemicals are stored away from your dog and avoid feeding it anything that it should not eat. For example, dogs should not eat grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate, or garlic.

Observe Your Dog

When you love your dog, you keep a close eye on it. Thus, you will learn what is normal for your dog and what is not. If you see your dog behaving in ways that are not typical, contact your vet. For instance, suppose your dog is usually playful but has been listless and has not wanted to play for the past several hours. If an energetic dog suddenly becomes lethargic, it may indicate that something is wrong and needs medical attention.

A Fit Dog

Following the guidelines outlined in this article will help keep your dog happy and healthy. When you have a content, healthy, and energetic dog, you can enjoy each other’s company for years to come. Having fun together and sharing a close bond is what owning a dog is all about.

Choosing a Safe Pet Carrier

Traveling with a pet can be quite difficult without the aid of a safe per carrier, but choosing one to suit your pet’s individual requirements can be quite a task. Even if you don’t intend to travel very much with your companion, he/she may still require a short trip to the vets, local kennels, etc, at some time in its life.

What to look for
You will first need to know exactly what type of carrier will suit the type of pet you own, and what mode of travel it will mainly be used for. If you intend to travel by rail or plane, for example, you will need to find something very strong and sturdy that can withstand any knocks or bumps. You will need to ensure that the carrier is the correct size for your pet too, so that it can stand up, turn round, and lie down comfortably inside without feeling insecure in an area that is too big for it – the addition of built-in feeders and extra padding may also be a good idea for longer journeys to add extra comfort. There are carriers available that are actually approved by the International Air Transport Association, and these are obviously ideal for any pet that needs to use this mode of transport.

You will then need to look at the safety of the carrier door; does it fasten securely, and are there any rough parts that could injure your pet during transit? Look carefully at the strength of the carrying handle, and check whether there are any seat belt slots for securing the carrier in a car or other motorized vehicle. Another thing to consider is how easy the carrier is going to be to clean and keep fresh whilst on the move. You will need to look at the base of any suitable carriers to see if it they can support some kind of absorbent lining, as this will help to retain any moisture in the carrier and prevent leakage.

Pet carriers come in a wide variety of materials, colors, and designs; you can opt for hard plastic, soft-sided, or even collapsible models to suit your needs. If you feel that the weight of your pet is going to be an issue whilst carrying, then why not choose a carrier on wheels or one of the buggy style carriers.

Things to remember
Once you have purchased a suitable carrier for your pet, you must remember to label it up with your contact details, and then make sure that all tags are securely fastened on and out of the way of your pet. When using certain types of carriers, you may need to consider using directional arrows to ensure that your pet is always kept in an upright position. For long-distance travel, it is also a good idea to take any medical and vaccination documents with you too, just in case they are required during your trip.

It is always worth investing in a good quality pet carrier, especially if you intend to travel regularly with your pet, as it will last much longer and give you the satisfaction of knowing that your pet is safe and secure whilst on the move.

How Technology Can Help Your Dog

Technology has become a part of almost every aspect of daily life, and now your canine companion can benefit from it, too. Advances in medical technology have helped to provide better treatment for dogs, and pet wearables can help dog owners keep a regular check on their pet’s health and whereabouts. It’s now even possible to use technology to feed and water your dog when you are not at home.

Dog trackers

Dog trackers are becoming more popular these days, as they are reliable devices that use GPS, WIFI, and cellular technology to deliver accurate tracking of your pet. These waterproof tracking collars are comfortable for your dog to wear and offer live tracking that can immediately pinpoint your dog’s location if it gets lost. Dog trackers also store your pet’s location history and enable you to find out if your pet is barking or not. You should not use tracking collars as a replacement for microchipping your pet and providing a good, visible ID tag.

LED and reflective dog accessories

When you need to walk your dog in the dark, make sure it can be clearly seen by motorists and cyclists. Flashing and reflective dog collars, leashes, and harnesses are the perfect addition to walks after dark and can help to keep your pet safe. Accessories that use LED lighting are a good choice, as the lights will not get hot against your pet’s skin and have a good lifespan. Reflective gear in the form of a dog coat can be a good addition to LED lighting, as it will help to make your dog even more visible. It may also be a good idea to wear reflective gear of your own when you’re out on dark walks with your dog to ensure that both you and your pet are clearly visible to others.

Pet cameras

Pet cameras are an effective way of keeping an eye on your dog when you are not at home and will help to give you some peace of mind. Interactive pet cameras enable you to interact with your pet while you are away from home via your smartphone or computer. You can also get cameras that are attached to a dog harness and fit comfortably around your dog. These clever cameras enable you to see the world through your dog’s eyes as they wander around from place to place. The harnesses come in various sizes that will accommodate all breeds from small to large.

Interactive feeding

Interactive pet feeders enable you to create a feeding regime to suit your pet’s individual needs and are perfect for when you are not around to feed your pet. These pet feeders can be operated via your smartphone or computer, and you will be alerted when your pet has been fed. Interactive pet feeders can also provide you with vital information on your dog’s calorie intake.

Interactive pet toys

Interactive pet toys offer your dog both physical and mental stimulation and therefore help to decrease anxiety and boredom. Interactive toys are also more likely to hold your dog’s attention by responding to your pet and encouraging it to participate in some way. Toys in this category include ball treat dispensers and puzzle food bowls.

Interactive pet doors

Interactive pet doors are far superior to dog and cat flaps, as they open sideways and are made from high-quality materials. The doors can be manually or electronically operated and installed in either a door or a wall. You can also customise your pet door to suit your individual needs by choosing from a selection of additional accessories.

Dog prosthetics

Advances in veterinary medicine have led to crippled dogs now being able to have artificial limbs fitted that can offer them an improved quality of life that they wouldn’t have been able to have in the past. 3D scanning and 3D printing technology can help to create a more detailed image of a limb and then make a precise model of it to ensure a perfect fit.

Conclusion

Even though technology can help to make your dog’s life more comfortable and give you more peace of mind, it’s important to remember to spend plenty of quality time with your pet. Dogs thrive on companionship and need human contact to build up a good relationship with their owners. Providing your dog with plenty of love and attention, mixed with a little modern technology, should enable it to have a long and happy life.

How to Choose the Right Shelter Dog

Finding the right shelter dog may take a little time, as there are a number of things you need to consider first. You might find it difficult to gauge a dog’s true personality when it is housed in a shelter, as the noisy and cramped conditions of the place may make it feel anxious and depressed. However, it is possible to find the perfect canine companion in an animal shelter that will fill your life with lots of love and happiness.

Visit more than one shelter

Before making any firm decisions on which dog to adopt, it is important to visit more than one shelter. This will give you a better idea of what dogs are available for adoption and enable you to narrow your choices down to around four dogs. It is best to make notes on each dog and then make more than one visit to the shelters concerned. Remember to keep a few feet away from each dog at first so that you can observe them carefully. Dogs that are sitting quietly and watching what is going on around them and those that are excited to see people will generally be the best options. Try to avoid picking any dogs that are cowering in the back of their kennels or lunging at anyone that goes by, as these dogs could prove to have severe behavioural issues. It is also better to make these initial shelter visits on your own before taking other family members, especially children, along with you. If you take other people with you at first, it may be too overwhelming for the dogs and may make it more difficult for you to make the right decisions.

Take a closer look at your shortlisted dogs

Once you have narrowed your search down to several dogs, it’s time to observe each one in more detail. Firstly, go up to the dogs and see how they behave towards you, then ask if you can go inside the kennel and interact with them. Your next step is to ask if you can take the dogs for a walk and see how they respond to you. If the dogs are friendly, happy to play, and behave well on the leash, then you have made some good choices – it may even end up being tricky to narrow your choice down to just one dog!

Ask important questions

It is also important to ask the people who run the shelters some questions. They may not know all the answers, but it could be helpful if they know at least some of them. Ask if they know why the dog is in the shelter, if it has any known medical problems, and what its temperament is like. The answers to these questions could prove to be helpful, as you may find out that one of the dogs you like only needs rehoming because its previous owner became too ill to look after it and that it is great with children. If a dog has a known medical condition, it could prove too costly to take on board.

Narrow down your choices to one dog

After some thorough research and soul-searching, you should hopefully be able to narrow your search down to one dog. It is then time to make a firm decision on whether you are going to take the dog home with you or not. Try taking the dog out for one more walk, and remember to take other family members along with you at this stage to see how the dog reacts to them. It is important to make sure that you are completely happy with your decision to adopt, as it could be more disruptive for the dog if you end up having to take it back to the shelter a few weeks later.

Arriving home

Once you arrive home with your new canine pal, remember that it is important to begin training straight away. Lots of patience and understanding will be required, as it could take your dog around six to eight weeks to adjust to its new home and show its true personality. Make sure that your dog gets into a routine as soon as possible by providing it with its own area to sleep and rest away from draughts and other members of the household.

Conclusion

You should now have more idea of what to look out for when choosing a shelter dog. It is also important to remember to choose a dog that will suit your lifestyle and the size of your home. Giving a shelter dog a new and loving home will hopefully be the best decision you ever made!