When caring for your dog's health and well-being, things don't have to be complicated. In addition to all of the love and attention you're giving your canine companion, follow these 6 tips from our Hermitage Animal Clinic vets to help your dog live a long, happy and healthy life.
Your Dog's Health
You love your dog and know that diligently caring for their health can be a big responsibility. With that being said, caring for your dog's healthy doesn't need to be complicated. All you have to do is focus on following these 6 easy tips to help prevent health issues from developing in your canine companion (on top of giving them lots of love).
1 - Meet Your Dog's Nutritional Needs
Your dog's well-being depends on the quality of the food that they eat. In order to keep your dog healthy and happy, ask your vet about the best foods for your dog based on their age, their breed and their general lifestyle. Your vet will be more than happy to offer tips to your for finding the right food to meet your companion's nutritional needs.
Whether you want to feed your pooch the best food to achieve optimal health, or to treat existing conditions through diet, a nutritional consultation with our vets in Hermitage, TN can help.
2 - Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is commonly linked to a variety of quite serious conditions in dogs, from diabetes to joint pain. Because of this, keeping your dog at a healthy weight is critical to keeping them in great health. After you have chosen a nutritious food for your dog, your vet will be able to inform you about the optimal number of calories your dog should eat each day.
Once you know how much food your dog needs each day, you will be able to work out exactly how much you should be feeding your dog at each meal without too much trouble.
3 - Make Sure Your Dog Gets Plenty of Exercise
Different breeds have different exercise requirements. While some dogs can stay healthy with a quick walk around the block, high-energy breeds may need an hour or more of vigorous exercise once or twice a day. Adequate physical activity not only helps to keep your dog's body in good condition, but it can also help to prevent mental boredom which can lead to destructive behaviors or anxiety. Be sure to ask your vet or breeder about the appropriate amount of exercise for your dog. Walks, backyard games, and social time at dog parks are all great ways to ensure your pooch gets plenty of exercise.
4 - Take Your Dog for Annual Wellness Exams
Diagnosing and treating conditions in the very earliest stages helps to ensure the very best treatment outcomes. Annual veterinary exams, when your dog seems healthy, are all about prevention, monitoring your pet's overall health, and checking for early signs of developing issues.
The vets at our Hermitage veterinary clinic will discuss your dog's diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors with you, ask if you have any concerns about your pet's health or behavior, then perform a comprehensive physical examination. Once the exam is complete your veterinarian will discuss any findings with you. If anything concerning has been detected your vet will make recommendations regarding diet, diagnostic testing, or treatment.
Learn More About Wellness Exams
5 - Keep Vaccinations Up-To-Date
Our veterinarians in Hermitage, TN believe that vaccinations are essential for helping your pet live a long and healthy life. Regularly scheduled vaccines help to protect your dog from many highly contagious, potentially life-threatening diseases. Most states require by law that all pets be vaccinated against rabies, but there are a number of other serious conditions that vaccines protect dogs against including parvo, distemper, and panleukopenia.
Find Our Dog Vaccine Schedule Here
6 - Provide Parasite Prevention
Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes can all carry organisms that lead to a range of diseases that seriously threaten the health and longevity of your dog. A bite from one of these parasites could cause your dog to become gravely ill if not protected. Speak to your vet about the most effective ways to protect your pooch against a full range of tick-borne diseases, heartworms, and other parasitic conditions common in your area.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.