Taking care of a new dog can sometimes be an overwhelming job.  As a dog owner, it is your job to make sure you keep your pet healthy.  Here are some pet care tips that can help you carry out this task.

” The Veterinarian is Your Partner in Care

One of your primary responsibilities as a dog owner is knowing when you need to take your dog to the vet.If you notice that your dog is not feeling or looking right, it is best to act than to take a “wait and see” attitude.Things usually will be fine, but your vet will be able to diagnose your dog’s condition and recommend the proper treatment.

There are a number of cases in which it is vital that you call your vet:

a) Don’t delay, if your dog has been in an accident, call your vet immediately.Rather than waiting, take your dog to the closest emergency animal hospital if your regular vet isn’t available.

b) Call your vet right away if you think your dog has eaten something poisonous or inedible.

c)  If your pet appears to be in distress, call your vet right away.

d) If your dog experiences a sudden gain or loss of weight, you should take him to the vet right away.

e) You should always call your vet right away if your dog is having convulsions, coughing or vomiting.

– Prevention is the Best Strategy

A trip to the vet should be your last line of defense.As a responsible dog owner, it is your first responsibility to prevent accidents and illnesses as much as possible.

Bear in mind that healthy food and physical activities are the key to your pet’s long life.  Make sure your dog eats a healthy diet, receives dog vitamins and gets plenty of exercise to stay strong and healthy.  Keep an eye on what your dog eats, and clean the crate or dog house frequently to reduce the risk of bacterial illness.  Make sure your dog has a constant supply of clean water.

Ensure that your dog is on a leash, a chain, or inside a fenced yard at all times.If you let your pet wander neighborhoods, he becomes very vulnerable to accidents and injuries.

Give your dog baths regularly.Fleas and ticks can carry diseases as well as making your dog uncomfortable.

Keeping your dog healthy involves more than the few tips provided here.  While this is an excellent start, it’s always a good idea to ask your vet for specific tips and pointers for your dog.As your pet grows, you will learn more and more strategies for keeping your dog safe and healthy.Most of all, keep in mind that it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Related posts:

1. Facts About Raising A Healthy Dog
2. Important Facts to Consider with Siberian Husky Puppy Training
3. The Important Benefits of Dog Vitamin Supplements to Your Dog’s Longevity
4. Providing A Healthy Environment For Newborn Puppy Care
5. Lhasa Apso Pups Warning – The Important Facts!

Tags: dog, dog health, dog nutrition, dog vitamins, pet, pet health, pet nutrition

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at 3:09 pm and is filed under Dog Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.