The healthier your dog is, the happier he’ll be. Fortunately, by investing a little time and attention each day, you can help him maintain his health and ensure his happiness. Sadly, millions of owners neglect providing the care their pooches desperately need. Some owners are even unaware of these needs.

Below, we’ll provide a brief checklist of the things you should do to make sure your dog stays as healthy as possible. You’ll discover the importance of routine veterinary care, exercise, a proper diet, and dental care. Not only can you reduce the likelihood of his experiencing health problems down the road, but you’ll also strengthen the friendship you share together.

Regular Veterinary Checkups And Examinations

This is arguably the most important step you can take toward maintaining your pooch’s health. His veterinarian is the only person who is trained to provide checkups and routine examinations with an eye for potential problems. If your dog already suffers from a health problem, the vet can suggest the best course of action to resolve the condition and minimize his discomfort. Even if your canine seems perfectly healthy, routine visits to the veterinarian can reveal hidden issues before they become serious.

Daily Exercise

Just like people, canines need exercise to remain healthy. Every breed (and indeed, every pooch) is different. Some will crave more exercise than others. Unfortunately, a lot of owners are either unaware their dogs need daily exercise or knowingly ignore it due to the inconvenience of accommodating them.

Plan to take your pooch for a walk at least once a day. If possible, take him on two or three walks. If you’re unsure how much exercise is “too much,” let him decide. When given the chance, most dogs will exercise as much as you let them.

High-Quality Commercial Food

Diet and nutrition are critical ingredients to keeping your canine healthy. You’ll see the effects in the luster of his coat. His weight will stay within a small range. The amount of energy he has will be consistent for his breed (poor nutrition leads to lethargy). His overall temperament will be positive. All of these characteristics are natural for healthy dogs.

Invest in high-quality commercial dog food that contains the vitamins and nutrients he needs at his age. Also, consider asking the veterinarian to suggest appropriate meal sizes, given your pooch’s normal energy level. Aside from the occasional treat, avoid the temptation to feed your canine table scraps. They are a common catalyst for obesity.

Routine Care For His Teeth And Gums

Particles of food can become lodged between your dog’s teeth and gums. If these particles are not removed, they will eventually set the stage for plaque. When plaque forms on your pooch’s teeth, his saliva will gradually turn it into tartar. This causes gingivitis. If it is not resolved, it evolves into periodontal disease. In severe cases, the bacteria that gathers at the site can gain entry into your canine’s bloodstream and spread throughout his body, causing other problems.

All of the above can be prevented by providing routine dental care. Brush your pooch’s teeth each day to help remove food particles from his teeth and gums. Also, give him hard dog treats that will help dislodge particles and debris. Lastly, make regular dental appointments with the veterinarian for a thorough cleaning.

Recognizing Problems Before They Worsen

When a person feels ill, they can communicate with words. Because your canine lacks that ability, it is important to learn how to recognize signs that hint there may be a problem. That might include difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, weakness, or a dozen other traits. Medical issues can worsen quickly in canines, which means you need to recognize the clues as soon as possible.

Your dog’s long-term well-being is largely up to you. Use the list above to provide the care he needs to stay healthy and happy.

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A dog uses his mouth for many things. Among these would be to eat, to communicate with us and other animals, to gnaw, crush, and grind things. He also uses it to carry food and objects from one place to another. Needless to say, the mouth has a very significant function in your dog’s life.

When you notice that your dog has bad breath, it could be a sign of a health problem that needs to be addressed right away.

Periodontal Disease

This is a condition brought about mostly by the accumulation of tartar in the mouth. It is a common disease that in fact, about 50-80% of dogs has it. Food particles left in the mouth after a meal will eventually decompose. As a result, bacteria will grow in numbers forming plaque and tartar.

When this happens, tartar will push the gums farther from the teeth, causing them to loosen as time passes by. Loosened teeth can expose root sockets, thereby infecting it. Infection then goes to the bloodstream, and then on to the liver, kidney, and eventually, the heart.

Signs of Periodontal Disease

The following are tell-tale signs of the disease:

1. Change in eating habits.

2. Pawing (at the mouth)

3. Excessive drooling

4. Tenderness in the mouth

5. Oral bleeding

6. Inflammation and swelling (face, particularly around the eyes)

7. Nasal discharge

8. Sneezing

9. Bad breath

Of all the common symptoms, the most obvious would be bad breath.

Treatment

Once you suspect your dog has periodontal disease, take him to the vet right away. He can clean your dog’s mouth and prescribe medication, possibly antibiotics.

Prevention

Food has something to do with it. Studies show that a diet consisting mostly of canned meals (soft food) is never a good idea. Experts agree that dry food has a lowered risk, in terms of getting this disease.

Another way to prevent periodontal disease is to have dental checkups once a year. You can also give your dog herbal supplements, of which Echinacea is the most recommended. This can be in the form of mouthwash or tea.

Brushing! Just like us, we can keep our dog’s mouth clean and healthy with regular brushing.

You have a role to play in ensuring your dog is in the best of health. Do not wait until such time when he is already suffering from problems in his liver, kidney, and heart. Keep his mouth and body healthy.

Read more about diabetes in dogs, how to care for a diabetic dog and conditions associated with diabetes in dogs at DiabetesInDogsGuide.Com.

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