You love your dog, and you want him to be in your life for a good long time. With proper care, dogs can live to be 13 years old or more. Here are four ways you can keep your dog healthy:
1. Make sure your dog's vaccines are up to date.
Vaccines are an important way you can protect your dog from harmful diseases. According to the American Kennel Club, puppies should get their first vaccines when they're between 6 to 8 weeks old. Your dog will need to be vaccinated against distemper, rabies, parvovirus, and measles to name a few common illnesses. Many of these diseases can be fatal if contracted, so you absolutely don't want to miss a vaccine.
2. Feed your dog a balanced diet.
Just like humans, dogs' health is largely determined by their diet. Feed your dog a well-formulated dog food to keep him healthy and strong. Avoid giving your dog human food, since it can make him sick. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian what kind of food they recommend. Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs all require different nutrition, so make sure you're feeding your dog the right blend for his body type. Be careful not to overfeed, since weight gain can lead to health complications.
3. Take your dog for annual checkups.
Take your dog to the veterinarian once a year for a routine checkup. The vet will weigh your dog and check his eyes, ears, and teeth to make sure your dog is healthy and free from mites or diseases. Your vet will also take a blood sample from your dog to do a more in-depth health screening. Even if your dog is healthy, these yearly vet visits are important because they could help you catch a health problem before it gets more serious.
4. Keep the information for your animal hospital handy.
In an emergency, you may not be able to reach your normal veterinarian, since vets usually work during normal business hours. If your dog has a serious health concern at night or over the weekend, you'll have to take him to an animal hospital for treatment. When a health emergency is happening, time is of the essence, and you don't want to be scrambling to look up the animal hospital's phone number and address. Keep the contact information in your phone and print out a copy to leave in your car and home in prominent places. That way, the whole family will know where to take your dog for treatment.
