Keeping Your Dog Healthy & Happy
When you first bring your new baby home, it is only sensible to continue feeding him the same food he is accustomed to. However, if you are concerned about his diet, ask your veterinarian or breeder what he recommends. If you choose to change the diet, do so slowly. For about a week, continue feeding the same food. Then, for the next three days, give him a 50/50 diet: half of the old food, half of the new. Observe his reaction and if all goes well, present him with 75 percent new food, 25 percent old. Eventually, you can move him to the new diet with no repercussions. There is a huge difference in the type of food available on the market. Be sure to check the ingredients list and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to check with a professional. And although your new friend might prefer the taste and texture of wet food, feeding him dry food (at least in combination) is a better solution for tooth cleaning.
Naturally, your little pal needs fresh water — a lot of it. Change the water frequently in his bowl and take care where you place this resource. Shade is a better option because the sunlight can cause the water to heat up rapidly. As for bowls, stainless is probably the best option because they are super easy to clean and therefore, more sanitary.
Grooming your dog is an absolute necessity. Short haired dogs can shed profusely without careful grooming with a short bristle brush. For longer haired dogs, make sure that you are caring for his undercoat by starting in the foot area, using a downward motion and moving up several inches at a time until he is completely groomed. He will love it! When you are ready to bathe your little beauty, please purchase a good dog shampoo — the pH levels in humans and dogs are not the same so he needs his own doggie soap.
“No Way!” is the first expression that may come to mind when confronted with brushing your dog’s teeth. But this does not have to be a worrisome event. On the contrary, with the right amount of pats and love, it can be very rewarding for you both. Choose a brush, paste and rinse made specifically for dogs, and brush his teeth in a vertical motion. He eventually will become accustomed to this ritual and you will be saving him from the discomfort of tooth decay in the future.
Trimming the nails is not an easy task. Some dogs really resist this procedure so you might prefer having your groomer or veterinarian do this job. However, if you choose to tackle this task yourself, note that there is a pink part and a white part to the nail. The pink area contains blood vessels and nerve endings and cutting into this area will be painful. Leave an abundance of white area to verify that you do not injure your baby and leave him with unpleasant memories. If your dog has black nails, just bite the bullet and take him to a groomer.
Finding a veterinarian that you and your dog both like and trust doesn’t have to be a hassle. Word of mouth is a good option as well as the advice of the breeder or kennel where you purchased your dog. Take him in for his first visit immediately to be checked for “kennel cough,” fleas, ticks and worms. Don’t hesitate to inform your veterinarian if this is your first dog — he will be delighted to give you all sorts of great information. Keeping his vaccinations up to date is imperative and regular check ups will ensure good health for his future. Try to keep note of any unusual behavior — he cannot tell you when he isn’t feeling well. Establishing a good, trusting relationship is key to observing when he isn’t just quite up to snuff. Always post the phone number of the veterinarian and a 24-hour emergency clinic in an obvious area of your home so that whoever is caring for your pet will be able to take advantage of this if the need arises.
This basic information is something that everyone who owns a dog needs to know. Your dog will realize that he can trust you to care for him and you will earn his respect and love — a beautiful reward in itself.
