Pet Health: What You Need to Know

3 Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy

30 October 2020

Connor Hawkins

If you have a dog, you can expect them to live anywhere from 10 to 13 years. Smaller dogs tend to live longer, while larger dogs have a shorter lifespan. No matter what size dog you have, keeping them healthy will ensure they live as long as possible.

Here are three ways to keep your dog healthy so that you can enjoy your faithful companion for years to come.

1. Pay Attention to Their Nutrition

Proper nutrition for your dog includes getting a well-balanced diet and eating the right foods. Nutrients in these foods aid in cell maintenance, which improves their overall health. The best type of dog food to feed your dog is high-quality commercial dog food. This type of dog food contains all the nutrients your dog needs.

If you're not sure how many calories your dog needs each day, you should ask your veterinarian. Overfeeding, or not feeding your dog enough, can cause problems with their health.

2. Keep Up with Routine Visits to the Veterinarian

You should take your dog to the veterinarian for a routine checkup at least once a year. If you have a puppy or a dog that is 7 years or older, you may need to take them to the veterinarian more often.

During a routine visit, the veterinarian will do the following:

• Update vaccinations if necessary.
• Inspect the coat, skin, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and teeth.
• Listen to the heart and lungs.
• Look for lameness in the legs or problems with the paws.
• Feel the abdomen.
• Observe the behavior.

As part of the routine checkup, the veterinarian might also do a complete urinalysis, and test the feces for parasites. For older dogs, a veterinarian might order x-rays or an ultrasound. All of these tests will ensure your dog is in optimum health.

3. Take Care of Your Dog's Teeth

Just like dental care is important for humans, it is also important for your canine friend. Healthy teeth will ensure that your dog keeps all of their teeth so that they can maintain a proper diet. Besides affecting nutrition, poor oral health could cause mouth pain and dental disease.

In the worst cases, unhealthy teeth and gums could cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This in turn could lead to organ damage. The best ways to care for your dog's teeth is to brush them on a regular basis, give them dental treats, and have their teeth professionally cleaned.

For more information about keeping your dog healthy, go to sites like https://emergencypetclinics.com/.

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