Helping Your Dog Live a Long and Healthy Life

     For those that love dogs, owning one is extremely enjoyable and emotionally fulfilling. To most people, dogs are not just pets, but friends.

To help your canine friend live a lasting and happy life, you must take care of it properly. If you adopt a puppy, be sure get the dog immunized.

Puppies should receive a few different types of vaccinations. The most important of these are distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies shot.

When you take your pet in to receive these shots, make sure to ask plenty of questions regarding the side effects of the shot and what the viruses that you are immunizing for would do to your animal. Also, become knowledgeable on the frequency in which you need to give your pet its shots.

Unless you are intent upon breeding your pet, it is also very important to neuter or spay them. Spaying and neutering usually adjusts the temperament of your animal, and makes them less likely to be angry or unable to train.

Doing this can prevent unwanted pregnancies in females and prevent males from giving litters to other female dogs. There is a great deal of overpopulation when it comes to dogs.

This is because of the lack of knowledge about how important neutering and spaying pets really is. Litters upon litters of puppies sometimes have to be put down because there is no one to take them.

The smart and humane thing for you to do is to take preventative measures by making it impossible for your dog to procreate. Dogs that are used specifically for breeding or competition need not be spayed or neutered, but the majority of domesticated canines should be.

To keep your dog safe, you should always be sure to have an updated tags and a collar on it. Tags will ensure that, if your animal gets lost, whoever finds it can contact you and return it home.

Many canine friends never return home because their owner neglected to put a collar on it. To keep your dog healthy from day to day, you must give it exercise.

Walking your pet is essential to its energy and happiness. It gives it an outlet to release energy and explore new places.

This will also assist in helping it become more people and animal friendly. The more dogs are exposed to other well behaved dogs and people, the friendlier and easier going they will be.

Make sure to have at least thirty minutes of walking time with your pet each day. Choose a time that is optimal for the weather and time of year.

During the summer months when temperatures are warm and the sun is bright, make sure to walk your dog in the morning or evening. This way, you can spend more time out of doors without getting dehydrated or overheated.

If you have a very busy schedule and are unsure if you have time to take your dog for daily walks or runs, enlist the help of a dog walker. There are many individuals and companies that offer these services.

Prices are usually pretty reasonable, and it will pay off in the long run. This will also give your dog an opportunity to socialize with other animals and become accustomed to new environments easily.

Feeding your pet the correct foods is also essential to its health. There is much debate about which types of food is best, whether fresh or packaged.

Consult your veterinarian on which food is healthiest and the best for your pet. However, your dog is ultimately the one who decides what they will or will not eat, so use a process of trial and error until you find the right type of food.

You must also make sure to visit your veterinarian frequently. They have the tools and instruments needed in order to make sure your pet is growing healthfully and not sick.

Take your dog to the vet once a year at least, or when you notice illnesses or injuries. Whether your animal is an inside or outside pet, be sure to watch carefully when it is spending amounts of time outside.

There are many plants and animals that could hurt your pet or make it sick, so it is best to help it avoid these things. Keeping your dog healthy, happy, and safe will ensure a fulfilling life for both you and your canine friend.