Apart from the essential visits to the veterinarian, the dog needs regular care to be in good health. It is up to his master to do what is necessary to take care of him. Pet essentials is passionate about dog welfare and helping dogs live happier lives. Trusted information about dog behaviors and health.
1. Provide careful nutrition
A first important point in the same way as for men: food. Good nutrition is essential for keeping your dog healthy. Foods appropriate for the size, age, state of health, and breed of the dog should be chosen. Some dogs have more risk factors for developing diseases: this is the case, for example, of large dogs, which are more often affected by osteoporosis of the hindquarters. Croquettes prevent this risk by acting against bone calcification.
Foods remain prohibited for dogs because they can be dangerous and cause poisoning: chocolate, avocado, grapes, and coffee in particular. If your dog has swallowed toxic food, do not try to make him vomit but rather quickly contact his veterinarian, who will provide the most suitable solution to the situation. A little advice to make the coat more beautiful: use salmon oil as a food supplement. It prevents hair loss and solves skin problems.
2. Dedicate a space to him
The dog needs a space dedicated to him. This safe and comfortable environment can be located indoors or outdoors. His bed should be installed in a quiet corner, which will not obstruct the passage and away from doors and furniture. He can take refuge there when he needs to rest or to isolate himself.
The dog must feel at ease in this place which is reserved for him. You can place a basket, a basket, blankets, or plaids. If the dog has accidentally defecated there, it is essential to wash the clothes because the smell of urine will encourage him to start again. In his space, the dog must also have toys at his disposal to feel fulfilled. The dog’s bowls will be placed in a quiet place near this place.
If you have children, it is essential to explain to them that he must not be disturbed when the dog is in his space. It will prevent a potential bite.
3. Communicate and play with him
Communication with your dog is essential. First of all, because the dog’s education goes essentially through touch, it also helps to achieve a harmonious relationship. A dog has a natural need to communicate. Failure to take this into account can lead to a withdrawal of the animal. A recent study has shown that saying “I love you” to your dog increases his heart rate by 46.2% on average. But verbal language is not enough to communicate with your dog. It would help if you also used gestures, such as hugs.
Playing is arguably the dog’s favorite activity. For this, he must have an extensive range of toys at his disposal to play alone when his master is away or with his master when he is there. In addition to making him exercise, play is a way for the dog to learn to channel himself. The game also makes it possible to reinforce the master/dog complicity and teach him some simple commands. It will increase the well-being, and therefore, promote the good health of the dog.
4. Involve the dog’s mental activity
Mentally stimulating your dog is essential to meet his physiological needs. He can take advantage of walks to discover other smells. The dog must also meet other dogs and humans. Its socialization is essential and must be done from an early age. There are food dispensers designed to trigger brain activity in dogs. The principle is quite simple: the dog must act with his paw to release a kibble.
5. Adapt your dog’s activity to his physical needs
For the well-being of the dog, it is essential to stimulate him physically regularly. In addition to the walks necessary to defecate, the dog needs to walk “for fun.” Physical activity in dogs significantly reduces the risk of overweight and strengthens the cardiovascular system.
For some dog breeds, like Siberian huskies, for example, running is essential. The need for physical activity depends on the species of the dog. A Border Collie will be able to run several kilometers without a problem. It is not the case with a bulldog. The dog’s age and physical condition make it possible to determine the type of exercise better to offer him. Do not forget to equip your dog with an anti-tick and anti-flea collar to prevent the appearance of diseases linked to these parasites.
6. Groom your dog regularly.
Regularly washing your dog contributes to his excellent health. Indeed, leaving your dog without hygiene risks bringing him inflammation, ear infections, parasites, but it will also affect his morale. The dog should be brushed regularly, even in winter. Grooming is an activity that strengthens the relationship between the owner and his dog. It is essential to use products and tools suitable for dogs. Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian or a dog groomer to be sure to use the right products.
7. Maintain your claws well
Taking care of the dog’s claws is an obligation, especially since it is not that complicated. Dogs need to have feet in good condition, as they are essential to their movement, movement, and good balance. Broken or cracked nails can cause pain. The frequency of the cut will depend on the lifestyle. If the dog is in an apartment, its claws will wear out less quickly than those of a dog used to living outdoors. It will therefore be necessary to cut it regularly using a nail clipper. Because with too long claws, the dog risks injuring his pad which will make certain activities impossible. Clipping the dog’s claws also removes dirt from under the nails, which can cause infections.
8. Oral hygiene
Brushing teeth isn’t just for humans. Dogs also have the right! And this is even essential to keep their teeth healthy and fight against the appearance of tartar. There is toothpaste designed for dogs (with a mint taste or even a beef taste), which they can swallow without danger. They allow them to take care of the teeth and the dog’s gums and give him a good breath.
Oral hygiene can also involve feeding through slightly abrasive kibbles to achieve mechanical cleaning or chewable treats. Finally, the veterinarian can perform scaling to remove tartar and, if necessary, pull out damaged or painful teeth under general anesthesia. Oral hygiene has an impact on the whole organism of the dog. It is therefore essential to get involved.
9. Take care of the eyes.
Some dogs, those with a short muzzle, such as the Poodle, Yorkie, or Pekingese, require daily eye care (about two times per week). Indeed, their tear ducts are curved and clog easily, which has the consequence of forming brown marks when the tears flow. It is essential for dogs with long hair in front of their eyes, such as bichons, to clear the area around their eyes. For other breeds, cleaning should be done as soon as a discharge appears at the corner of the eyes.
Each eye should be cleaned, from the inside to the outside, with a wipe specially designed for the eyes or a slightly moistened compress. To avoid bringing bacteria back into the eyeball, it is best to change the wipe regularly.
10. Take care of the ears.
Just like the eyes, the dog’s ears should be cleaned. The anatomy of the dog’s ear is prone to a buildup of earwax deep in the ear and poor ventilation, which leads to infections. The frequency of cleaning depends on the breed of the dog. For dogs with floppy ears or a lot of hair, the ears should be cleaned weekly in summer and every fortnight in winter. For others, a monthly cleaning is sufficient.
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