4 Healthy Approaches to Ensuring Your New Pet Has the Best Care for Life
Posted on: 14 October 2016
Did you recently get a new dog? If so, you likely want to give them the best care possible. Unfortunately, some people who have never had to take care of a pet do not realize the importance of pet care. Your pet's health will require you to have pet checkups, and there are a few things that you will need to do at home to protect their health too. The following points will help you understand the most important things you can do to ensure your pooch is happy and healthy.
Vaccinations
Animal vaccinations can prevent a number of infectious diseases. This is why it is sensible to get your dog's vaccinations. Some vaccines can protect your dog against potentially fatal diseases such as rabies. Even if you are an excellent "pet parent" with a clean environment, your dog could get seriously ill from incidental contact with other animals if you do not allow your pet to get vaccinated.
Dental Care
You may be surprised to know that dogs can develop oral diseases such as gum disease. You can manually brush your dog's teeth to remove bacteria and plaque. There are also doggie chewables on the market that are advertised as teeth cleaners. Routine vet visits that are tailored to overall health are an excellent opportunity to determine whether your dog's oral hygiene is up to par. The vet can also be used as a resource to determine the best approach to keeping your dog's teeth clean.
Parasite Prevention
Heartworm can occur in dogs that get bitten by infectious mosquitoes. There are options to reduce the chances of heartworm in over-the-counter products, and veterinarians also can prescribe medications to prevent the disease. Dogs that get heartworm may die naturally or have to be euthanized, which is saddening considering there are treatments available. Over-the-counter medications may not be as effective as those prescribed by vets. Ensure you check the expiration date on the medications and follow storage recommendations.
Dog Proofing
There are a number of things that you may have in your home that are not a threat to you because you know better than to put them in your mouth. However, a curious pet might want to use their mouth to explore these seemingly interesting things. If your dog consumes some substances, this can result in accidental poisoning. Keep in mind there are some things that are harmless to humans but can make dogs seriously ill. For example, dogs that eat chocolate may experience adverse effects.
Talk to a professional at an organization such as Coastal Carolina Animal Hospital for more information.
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