Things We Should Do For Our Dogs Which They Can’t Do For Themselves

Oral health is one of the most important, and also one of the most overlooked aspects of dog care. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease which in turn lead to more serious conditions for your dog.

Plaque is a thin film which forms on your dog’s teeth. It can be removed by regular brushing or giving your dog bones to gnaw. Over time the plaque will harden and become tartar. This can lead to gum disease.

Your dog should have regular Dental check-ups. These can be conducted as part of the  yearly visit to the veterinarian.

You should help your dog maintain a healthy body weight. A dog that is more than 20% above his recommended body weight is considered to be obese. Overweight dogs are more susceptible to certain diseases. These include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, difficulty breathing and liver problems.

You can help your dog maintain the ideal weight by exercising him regularly and making sure he doesn't overeat. He should not be fed table scraps or high calorie treats.  Make sure no food is left lying around which he can get at. 

You will find a surprisingly moderate exercise program will help yoghurt dog get back to his ideal weight.

A number of foods which are enjoyed by humans are not suitable for dogs. Some of these foods cause serious illness which can need urgent medical attention.

The most well-known of these foods is chocolate but there are a number of others. Coffee, tea and other products which contain caffeine should be avoided completely.

Grapes can cause liver failure. Xylitol which is an artificial sweetener found in many types of confectionery can also cause liver problems. Onions, garlic and other members of the allium family can cause anaemia.

 For a longer list of the food items which can be dangerous for dogs can be found here.

Related Article: Foods Which Are Toxic For Dogs

Grooming is an important aspect of God dog care. It will help maintain his physical health and appearance. grooming includes caring for the dogs coat, nails and ears.

brushing your dog’s coat will help to remove dirt, dead hair and dandruff. it will also bring out the natural oils in the dog’s fur.  brushing will help spread the oils over the whole area of the coat.

Related Article: Grooming Your Dog At Home

Keeping the dog’s nails in Trim can be done at home. When a dog walks, you should not be able to hear any clicking on the ground from his nails. While you are cutting the nails, it is a good time to trim back the hair between the dog’s paw pads and make sure the pads are in good condition.

Related Article: How To Trim Your Dog's Nails

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to make sure your dog is socialized with other dogs and humans. He should be able to meet them with a minimum of fuss.

Your dog should be trained to understand and obey at least the most basic commands. He should listen to your instructions and come when called.

Your dog should be protected in all weather conditions. when it is hot, don't make him walk on hot bitumen and certainly do not leave him locked up alone in a car.

When the weather is extremely cold or there is snow on the ground you should consider giving your dog booties to wear. Get him a coat, and when you return home make sure he is thoroughly dried off.

Your dog should have regular veterinary check ups. the frequency of these will depend on the overall state of your dogs health but should be a minimum of once a year. before the visit you should make a list of all the things that you need to discuss with your vet.

While you are there, your vet should review your dogs oral health.

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