Dog Health

Dog Health

Posted by Darek B on September 21, 2013 0 Comments

Anybody who has ever had a dog for a pet knows how important it is to maintain dog health, as there are plenty of health problems that can occur in dogs, just as there is with human beings. In other words, dogs are not immune to health problems simply because they are animals. Some diseases than can affect dogs are essentially the same as certain diseases that can affect humans, while others may affect dogs specifically. And just as human beings need regular exercise and sufficient nutrition in order to stay healthy, so do dogs and other animals. The important thing to remember is that dogs are living things just like any other animal or mammal, and living things will always be
susceptible to diseases and health problems that affect their species. Even though not everything can always be avoided, though, there are ways to improve the chances of maintaining your dog’s health throughout much, and possibly even all, of his life. There are a few things in particular that will help maintain your dog’s health regardless of what breed he is or what diseases he is or is not more susceptible to. Although some of these things are things that should be done anyway, some dog owners simply do not realize the importance of them in regards to maintaining health specifically. Once you understand the added importance of taking certain steps and precautions it will be easier for you to maintain a health enhancing schedule for your dog.

• Pay Attention to the Food You Provide for Your Dog – The food that you provide for your dog is extremely important, as this is the one place where your dog will get most of his nutrients. There is no doubt that there is a difference from one dog food to the next, but often people mistakenly think that these differences do not go beyond flavor and appearance, but this is simply not true. The biggest difference between the many different brands of dog food that you can get is in the ingredients that the food is made with. And the ingredients that are used in the food that you give your dog is what determines what kind of nutrients he is or is not getting. To be sure, you do not have to buy the most expensive dog food available, just as you may not buy the most expensive food available for yourself. But you do want to pay attention to the ingredients and the nutrients in your dog’s food, as this is what is extremely important.
• Schedule Periodic Veterinarian Visits for Your Dog – It may seem like an unnecessary cost when you bring your dog to the veterinarian and find out that there is nothing wrong with him, but it will definitely be worth it if you do and you are able to catch a problem early. Periodic vet visits can help you determine the presence of certain diseases before they become debilitating and are more difficult to treat. X-rays can be taken in order to determine if certain bone diseases are present, heart problems can be detected by simply having your dog’s heart listened to, and the presence of skin diseases can be found by having a vet look beneath your dog’s fur. All of these issues can be treated fairly successfully if they are found early, which makes the money spent on periodic vet bills money well spent for sure.
• Provide Your Dog With Important Supplements – Supplements are another important factor to consider in regards to your dog’s health as well, just as they are important to human beings in regards to their health. Supplements will replace the nutrients that are not in your dog’s food, as well as certain nutrients that your specific breed of dog might need more of. Some of the common supplements given to dogs include calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and collagen. Each of these performs a different function and each function is as important as the next when it comes to keeping your dog as healthy as possible. Of course, with any supplement you should make sure that your vet approves of the type and the amount in order to protect your dog as well. One thing is for sure, though, and that is that your dog will be healthier with the supplements he needs.
• Help Your Dog Maintain Regular Exercise – Exercise is just as important for dogs as it is for humans, if not even more because this is typically the only activity your dog gets. Maintaining regular exercise will help maintain heart health, bone health, muscle health, and weight health, just to name a few of the most important benefits of exercise that your dog will gain with a regular routine. It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you give your dog, the important thing is to simply keep him active regularly. Running, playing, and swimming are all great ways to get your dog to get the exercise he needs to stay healthy not just today, but for life.
• Find Ways to Keep Your Dog Happy – Last but not least, the importance of keeping your dog happy should not be underestimated either. Happiness is the key to long lasting health in any living thing, and dogs are no different. If you give your dog the love and attention that he needs he will live a significantly longer, healthier life. The whole point of getting a dog is to be able to enjoy the long-term love and companionship that only man’s best friend can provide, so why not treat him like your best friend and give him the happiness he so deserves. You know that he’ll give you unconditional love after all.

A dog truly can be man’s best friend, and should be loved and valued as if he is too. Maintaining your dog’s health will not only keep him happier and healthier, but it will keep him around longer for you too, and that makes the work worth it in the end.