Important Facts You Need to Know About Keeping Your Dog Healthy

By Sherry Aplin

Dog health is important first and foremost because you are your dog's primary guardian. A dog, like most pets, can be a loyal friend and companion, but they are really as vulnerable as a child. Dog health is often a cause of worry for every pet owner. Dog health questions are on the top of the mind for every dog lover and owner. Senior dog health often has more urgency than puppy health, but preventative medicine for any dog is critical to your dog's health and well being.

Exercise is a important part of your dog's health, however, where you live and the type of job you have can effect the amount of exercise that your dog can get. If you work eight hours a day, work down town or far away from work, or if you have a apartment where residences are built close together and you can barely find some grassy area, let alone walk your dog, he probably won't get a lot of exercise. Exercises depend on your dog's sex, age, and health level. A dog likes to jog, fetch, and race-walk a lot.

A fenced yard or local park is ideal for exercising your dog. All dogs love a good game of fetch so bring a ball or other dog toys to liven things up. Just as exercise strengthens our heart, lungs and muscles, it will do the same thing for your dog.

Once started, feeding your dog table scraps is a hard habit to break. Do yourself a favor and don't start! All breeds of dogs require a quality, nutritionally sound food source. Consult with your vet if your dog has any conditions that may require special foods. Otherwise there are many good, trusted dog foods on the market. If you do choose to feed your dog "people" food, beef liver is a good choice. It is high in iron, and rich in protien, B complex and B12 vitamins. If your dog is extremely finicky, consult your vet as there may be other issues going on.

To help your dog live a long and healthy life, preventive medicine is the key. Schedule regular check ups, professional cleanings, and give scheduled heart worm and other medicines. Start these good habits as soon as you bring home that cute, cuddly new puppy. If you provide regular visits to your vet for vaccinations, dental care, heart worm checkups, your dog will provide you with love and devotion always. - 31975

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