Health Tips For Your New Dog
Adopting a new dog is a major event in your life, and you will need to be sure that you are prepared for the type of care that the animal will need. Unfortunately, there are some mistakes that new dog owners will often make that could potentially increase the risk of their dog developing problems.
Ineffective Weight Management
Excessive weight can be a common problem for pets. Unfortunately, new pet owners can be very prone to overfeeding their animals, and this can lead to them developing substantial weight gain. Over time, this excess weight can be very detrimental for your dog as it can put a substantial amount of strain on their joints as well as increase the chances of developing diabetes. Periodically weighing your dog and adjusting its food portions can be a simple solution for helping to manage these weight issues. Furthermore, making sure to have your dog play and walk a lot each day can further reduce the chances of developing these health problems.
Failing To Trim The Dog's Nails
Trimming your dog's nails can be an essential task for keeping the animal comfortable. Unfortunately, some pet owners may not be diligent about trimming these nails, and this can lead to them growing too long. This could cause the dog substantial discomfort, and it may even lead to damage occurring to the dog's paws. Some pet owners may struggle with trimming their dog's nails due to the animal squirming and otherwise resisting. Making your dog become acclimated to you handling its paws and nails can help to minimize these issues.
Skipping Annual Checkups At A Veterinary Clinic
Routine trips to the veterinarian clinic can be simple steps that will keep your dog healthier by allowing for a variety of problems to be diagnosed when they are still minor and easily correctable or manageable. Additionally, yearly visits for checkups can allow for the dog's vaccinations to be updated. This will provide valuable protection against some of the more serious illnesses and health problems that your dog could experience. Luckily, these routine checkups are very affordable, and they will only require a small amount of time at the veterinarian clinic. In fact, many clinics will allow individuals to drop their dogs off in the morning for these evaluations and to retrieve them at the end of the day. This can minimize any impacts that you may have on your work schedule or other responsibilities that you will have to do during the day.
For more information, contact a local clinic like Animal Emergency Clinic.
