By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2011-08-30 15:22:24 | Word Count: 626
Good dog owners want to ensure the health and longevity of their dogs. You want your dog to be happy and healthy. You can keep him on the path to wellness by following these guidelines.
Provide Regular Veterinary Care
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The foundation for your dog's overall health is regular, high-quality vet care. Routine exams should be performed on a bi-annual basis. If you have a puppy or a senior dog, he should be seen even more often than twice per year. If your dog suffers from any chronic health conditions or has special needs it's important that you follow your vet's instructions.
It's also important to remember that your dog ages at a much faster rate than humans. This means that it's possible for him to develop many subtle changes over a period of just a few months. Routine exams ensure that any changes can be closely monitored before your dog's health begins to suffer.
Provide Good Nutrition
Good nutrition is a fundamental element of keeping your dog healthy. Your dog's weight, energy level, skin and coat as well as gastrointestinal functioning are all directly affected by his diet. A problem in any of these areas can often be attributed to improper diet. Choose dog food that is made by a reputable company and contains high-quality ingredients. Homemade diets can also provide excellent nutrition. Once you decide on the right food for your dog, feed it to him consistently. Over a 4 to 8 week period, watch how your dog responds to the diet. His coat should be shiny and flake-free, but not greasy. He should have a high level of energy.
Keep an eye on your dog's weight. Any dramatic increase or decrease is cause for concern. Obesity in dogs is a relatively common problem, but a proper diet combined with plenty of exercise can often reverse it. If your dog begins to lose weight, he may not find the new food palatable. It's time to look into trying other foods if this occurs. Be sure to change your dog's food gradually since a sudden change may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Adequate Exercise
A dog's health-exercise relationship is underestimated all too often. Dogs are sometimes diagnosed with separation anxiety or other behavioral problems. These conditions do exist, but often the behavior is actually caused by a surplus of energy. If your dog is being fed a healthy diet, he should have lots of energy. If he can't find another suitable outlet, your dog may release his energy on your carpet, furniture or other household items. In general, he requires at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise each day. This amount varies by age, size and breed. Take some time to establish a routine based on the best exercise regimen for your dog.
Mouth Care
Serious health problems can result from plaque and tartar build-up on your dog's teeth. Focus on providing good dental care before dental disease has a chance to set-in. There are many ways to care for your dog's oral health. Provide dental treats, use oral rinses and brush his teeth on a regular basis. Be sure to talk to your vet as well, she may suggest a professional cleaning from time to time.
Grooming
"Fancy" dogs are not the only ones that need proper grooming. While your dog's grooming needs are, for the most part, based on his breed, there may be special considerations due to health conditions or allergies. A monthly bath, brushing and nail trim will be of benefit to most short-haired dogs. Long-haired dogs require a daily brushing. For dogs that have continuously growing hair, a haircut may be needed every 1 to 2 weeks. Your dog's grooming needs can be provided by a professional or yourself, just be sure to maintain a regular grooming schedule.
Author Resource:-
Article by Kelly Marshall of http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/, check out our selection of designer dog beds and cool dog clothes.
