How to Maintain your Dogs Good Health

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By Mindee Lee
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Your pet deserves only the best.

Any pet owner will tell you their dog is a member of their family unit. The importance of maintaining good health is imperative in allowing your pet to live a long and happy life. The following steps provide a foundation to build a long and happy life with your family companion.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

To ensure a healthy pet, have a veterinarian examine regularly and provide the suggested preventative shots. If on the fence regarding a particular vaccine, discuss the importance of each vaccine with focus on the pros and cons prior to making a decision not to have a certain vaccine administered.
Step 2

Proactive measures such as having your dog spayed or neutered need to be strongly considered. Discuss with your vet the pros and cons of completing these procedures. Dogs which have not had these surgeries may have an increased potential for wandering due to natural instinct.
Step 3

Good nutrition is a must for all around good health. Discuss with your veterinarian the nutritional needs for your dogs breed. We all love our treats and your pet is no exception. It is your responsibility to ensure your pet is consuming a balanced diet with a ready supply of water. Not all dog food is created equally. A dogs digestive system also does better if you choose and stick with a specific brand of food.
Step 4

Consistent and regular treatment for fleas and/or ticks is a must for your pets health and comfort. Regular application per package directions and checks for parasites is necessary to ensure your pet is protected. If you were to come across a tick removal is important making sure to remove the head also. A good rule of thumb is to keep the tick following removal. By keeping the tick for perhaps a six month time period will allow a veterinarian to check the tick for being a disease carrier if signs or symptoms of disease develop.
Step 5

Use a leash or a kennel to increase your control over your pets movements. Free rein is important and healthy for your pet however if not being supervised and boredom hits the results could be destructive or even life endangering for your pet.

Comments

jjmyles said

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on 11/29/2009 Great tips!

goodselfme said

on 10/25/2009 Very healthy and helpful considerations for safety and for good dog owners to follow. 5*

Dawnella66 said

on 10/1/2009 This is a great article and especially helpful for those considering getting a pet for the first time. *****. Thank you for sharing How to Maintain your Dogs Good Health.