If you want a happy dog, then you need to take care of its health. A dog, like a human, has special needs and requirements that need to be met in order to live a healthy life. If you do not take care of these things, your dog can get ill, become listless and depressed, and even need medical help. Obviously, you will want to avoid this, and vets bills are not cheap either, as if you needed more incentive. So, let’s take a look at some ways you can protect your dog’s health.

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Register With a Vet

One of the first things you need to do is register with a vet. It is worth speaking to the vet and finding out about any special requirements and medicines your particular barren might need. All dogs are different, and just because you have had a dog before in past does not mean that you know how to look after this one. 

Vaccinations 

A puppy, like a baby, needs vaccinations to protect it from common illnesses. The last thing you want is for your fur baby to come down with a preventable illness. Additionally, there are other medications that you will regularly need, like flea and worm medications. You will probably need some tick ointment too, especially if you go walking a lot in the countryside where there is long grass. So be aware, Some ticks carry terrible diseases like Lyme disease. So be careful.

Training

Properly training a dog is very important for its health. First, if you don’t train a dog, it can run out into the roads or disappear off when you are out and about. It may become hazardous to other people, and in a worst-case scenario, it may bite a child and have to get put down. An untrained dog is likely to be unruly and get overexcited, meaning it can smash its legs and shoulders when it excitedly enters and exits a car. Over time an untrained dog who does this will develop joint issues like arthritis and become hobbled up with pain. You must train your dog, and to do it effectively, it has to be started while it is a puppy. So, go to obedience school if you have to. An obedient dog will have a better life at the end of the day. 

Nutrition

Dogs need good food, and despite what you may believe, they are not wholly meat eaters. They are, in fact, omnivores. They require a diet full of meat and vegetables. You may need to look up the best variation of diet for your dog or speak to your vet, but they need a vast range of minerals and vitamins, just like we do. When it comes to food, it is worth checking the labels type ensures that the largest ingredient in the food is meat and not some meat substitute, as protein is essential. Also, be careful not to give them too many treats and avoid giving them human food entirely. Some foods are particularly bad for dogs and can make them quite ill. If you get their food right, they will be healthier with a shinier coat and stronger teeth, among other things. So, do a little research and discover just what exactly is the best diet for them.

Exercise

Again, just like us, dogs need exercise. A simple walk around the block twice a day may not cut it either. Some dogs, especially Border Collies, need a minimum of two hours of exercise a day. That means going to a field and throwing a ball, so it can run. Walks are essential not only to keep dogs fit but they can explore their world and experience scents and sights that they are not used to. At the weekends, when you have a bit more time, take them out somewhere that they have never been before. A fit dog is a happy and healthy dog.  

Grooming

Dogs need to be groomed a lot, too, so it is well worth getting a dog grooming kit. You will need to brush their fur once a day for some breeds. Again check the recommendations for your breed of dog to ensure you have got it right. Brushing their fur not only stops their fur from getting matted, but it can brush out parasites and other things lurking in the fur. It also stimulated the skin and removed dead skin cells. Blood rushes to the surface, cleaning and bringing nutrients to the skin’s surface too. 

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*This is a collaborative article