Dog Talkies

Being a responsible dog owner requires a great deal of time, dedication, effort and love. Being loved back by a happy, healthy canine companion is a wonderful reward for your investment. Luckily, you can give your pup the best chance at continued good health by following a few simple steps:

#1- Don’t Skip Vet Visits

The most important thing you can do for your pet is develop a relationship with a qualified veterinarian that you keep for the entirety of your pet’s life. The more regular your vet visits are, the stronger the bond is between your vet and your pooch. This increases the likelihood that your veterinarian will notice anything out of the ordinary in your pet’s appearance, behavior, or health. Don’t skip annual checkups and always speak to your vet about any concerns.

#2- Vaccinate Your Pet

Once dog is about three months old, antibodies passed down from mother to puppy no longer protect him. This leaves your sweet pooch vulnerable to numerous diseases that can lead to serious illness or even death. Speak with your veterinarian about which shots are most appropriate for your individual dog.

#3- Spay or Neuter!

Spaying or neutering your dog not only helps reduce the number of homeless animals, but also has health benefits. Spaying females helps prevent breast cancer and uterine infections. Neutering males helps reduce unwanted behaviors and lowers the risk of prostate and testicular cancer.

#4- Get Rid of Fleas

Fleas are responsible for a plethora of health problems, ranging from skin infections, to anemia, to tapeworms. They can also make your lovable pup itchy and miserable. Stick to monthly flea and tick control and speak with your veterinarian about safely getting rid of fleas if they ever do become a problem.

#5- Commit to Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm treatment is both costly and risky, so prevention is essential. Ask about preventative heartworm medication for dogs at your pet’s next checkup. In most cases, a single tablet given once each month can protect your pup from a dangerous heartworm infection.

#6- Watch out for Extra Pounds

Obesity poses serious risks to your dog’s health, increasing the chance of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and many other health conditions. To reduce these risks, encourage your dog to engage in regular exercise, monitor his food intake, and don’t hesitate to consider a diet if weight does become an issue. Your veterinarian can offer specific exercise and nutrition advice to keep your canine companion’s weight inside the healthy range, but ultimately the responsibility lies with you as the owner.