Advice For Keeping Your New Dog Healthy
Keeping a new dog healthy and stress-free can be challenging, even for experienced dog owners because both the owners and the dogs must get used to each other. However, if you know the proper introduction of new pets and methods to reduce stress such as dog treats, calming supplements and others, you and your new dog can get over the initial introduction phase very comfortably.
Bringing a new dog home is a very exciting moment but you also have to be cautious during this time and try to reduce extra stress for your new pet to have a smooth transition. To ensure the good health of your new furry companion it is important to make sure you are offering the right diet, housing, and medical care as well as supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, and others.
In this article, our small animal veterinarian will provide you with detailed guidelines on how to keep your new dog healthy and what you need to do, so read on.
Signs Of Stress in Dogs
Before we move on to how you will keep your new pet healthy, you must first have an idea of how to detect stress signals in dogs, so you can identify when your new pet is not doing well:
- Running away trying to hide from the owners or avoiding eye contact
- Lack of appetite
- Tail between the legs
- Shaking or shivering despite normal body temperature
- Diarrhea
- Panting excessively despite normal body temperature
- Drooling
- Yawning without being tired
- Restlessness
How To Keep My New Dog Healthy
Following is some of the most effective dog health care tips to keep your new dog fit and healthy:
Well Balanced Diet
Good nutrition is of utmost importance when it comes to the health of dogs. Good nutrition doesn’t mean it should have tones of protein and vitamins; rather a well-balanced diet is considered the best. Because if your new dog’s diet is not balanced it will suffer from deficiencies leading to health issues.
Healthy Treats
If you are always thinking about how to make my dog happy? Well, the answer to this is healthy dog treats. Always go far with natural treats and feed them in a limited quantity usually 10% of the daily calorie count. Treats will not only help you train your new dog but will assist in developing a bond.
Exercise
If you want to keep your dog healthy you must not neglect the importance of daily exercise. Daily exercise not only keeps your dog physically fit but also keeps them mentally strong and helps avoid depression and anxiety.
However, keep in mind to never over-exercise your dog, especially small breeds that are susceptible to Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndromes (BOAS) such as Pugs, English Bulldogs, Pomeranians, and others as these can suffer from respiratory issues.
Up-To-Date Veterinary Care
Just like humans, dogs also need up-to-date medical care. Vaccinations, internal and external parasite treatments, and regular physical examinations are a must if you want your new dog to stay healthy.
Opting for elective surgical sterilization procedures such as neutering and spaying are equally helpful as they significantly reduce the risk of several health problems such as testicular, mammary, and ovarian cancer in dogs.
Supplements
Apart from the dog treats you must include supplements in your new dog’s diet after consulting a veterinarian. Supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, and several vitamins can be quite beneficial for canines and help enhance their overall well-being.
Regular Grooming
Unlike cats, dogs don’t need a lot of grooming; however, it is good to brush them every once in a while, ideally 1-2 times per week especially if they are a long-haired breed. Grooming is a good way to bond with your new dog.
Indicators Of Good Health in Dogs
Dog parents often have this question in mind: How to know if your dog is healthy? I will describe some key factors that help you know whether your dog is healthy or not;
1. A healthy dog will always have a shiny coat and healthy skin
2. Good weight according to age. Ideally, ribs should not be visible but upon touching you should be able to feel them.
3. Healthy urination and bowel movements
4. Ears shouldn’t have any discharge or bad odor
5. Eyes should be shiny and bright, free from discharge