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Pet Dog Care Guide
Basic care for dogs
Feeding & Nutrition
Pregnancy
Basic Grooming
Aging Dogs
Common Health Problems
Emergency Care
Feeding & Nutrition -
Wild canids are constantly in search of food for survival.
Although you will never let your dog go hungry, his instinct
to find food remains strong. So while it may be a nuisance
when your dog is constantly pawing through garbage, sniffing
at the table or trying to cadge a snack, keep in mind that
he’s only following his survival instincts, and work to gently
correct this behavior.
Some dogs are allowed to eat all day; that is, food is left
in their bowls at all times. This constant availability of
food can lead to an overweight dog. Treats and snacks add
up in calories, too. To check your dog’s body condition, do
the "rib test." Run your hands on either side of his body
along his rib cage. You should be able to feel the outline
of his ribs. With an overweight dog, you might not be able
to make them out at all. On the other hand, if the ribs are
too prominent, the dog is underweight. In either case, visit
the vet to rule out any health problems: Dogs may gain or
lose weight with illness. You may see other symptoms; for
example, dogs suffering from kidney problems will also urinate
and drink more, and may vomit and be depressed.
Your vet can recommend dietary modifications or special foods,
and for an overweight dog, probably an exercise program as
well. It’s vital to get a chubby pup back to a healthy weight,
since overweight dogs are at risk of diabetes, heart problems
and cancer, among other things. Keep track of all the extra
bits of food given outside of mealtimes, and be more stingy
in doling out treats, or ask your vet for ideas on healthier
alternatives. Underweight dogs, too, are at a higher risk
for all types of illness, due to their reduced ability to
fight infection, decreased reserves of fat and energy, and
poor healing ability. These dogs may need dietary supplements
to bring them back into the pink of health.
Pregnancy - If you catch your
unspayed dog getting too friendly with the neighborhood stud,
you probably have reason to suspect the impending pitter-patter
of little paws. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
A few options you may have include:
- Terminating the pregnancy by a series of injections of
female hormone starting within a day or two of the mating
- Spaying
- Wait-and-see method in which the vet can detect a pregnancy
by performing an ultrasound test as early as 23 days after
conception, a simple blood test after about day 27, and,
depending on your dog's body fat content and other conditions,
a palpation exam after about day 30. A radiograph after
about day 45 can confirm the pregnancy and provide a puppy
count.
Otherwise, unless you're aware of the changes your dog will
undergo, you probably won't be able to detect signs of pregnancy
yourself until she's at least five weeks along. With only
about eight to nine weeks (57 to 63 days) to prepare for the
newborns, there will be no time to spare.
Basic Grooming Nails - important
thing is to look for a tool that you can handle easily. Choose
from a scissors-like clipper or a guillotine-style clipper.
Another alternative is an electric nail grinder, which is
expensive but less likely to cut the sensitive vein (the quick)
inside the nail. Trim a bit of nail at a time to avoid cutting
into the quick. Watch your vet or groomer cut the nails the
first time so you can see how it's done before attempting
it yourself.
Basic Grooming Ears - A gentle swabbing with a cotton
ball dipped in mineral or baby oil, or a vet-approved ear-cleaning
solution, keeps your dog's outer ear clean and dry. Dogs with
floppy ears, such as a Great Dane, will need more frequent
ear cleanings than their counterparts with upright ears because
air doesn't circulate as freely; waxy and bacteria-laden debris
tends to build up in the moist atmosphere under the flaps.
Ear swabbing is doubly important if your floppy-eared-dog
loves to go in water.
Basic Grooming Eyes - Dirt easily gets trapped near
and in the eyes of dogs with wrinkled faces or droopy lids,
such as a bulldog, but any dog will need its eyes cleaned
on occasion. Use a soft cloth dipped in warm water to gently
clean the lids and around the eyes.
Aging Dogs - Even though
your dog may be considered a canine senior citizen, you wouldn't
necessarily know it to look at him. Depending on the breed,
dogs slip into the golden years at anywhere from 5 to 9 years
of age. Smaller breeds, such as the West Highland white terrier,
tend to live up to 14 years or more, whereas some of the larger
breeds, including the Great Dane and Irish wolfhound, often
don't live beyond 8 or 9 years and begin to slow noticeably
around the age of 5. Generally, the smaller the breed, the
longer its life span, with most of the in-between sizes enjoying
a life span of between 10 and 12 years.
With aging comes a slowing metabolism, which often means
fewer of those long wrestling and fetching sessions. This,
coupled with your dog's tendency to store fat, may produce
a pudgy pooch, so …
- Ask your vet to help you choose the right food.
- Change his food to a higher-fiber, fat- and calorie- reduced
"senior" formulation (high-protein foods may help your dog
maintain his lean body mass).
- Your vet can also help you keep track of any changes in
your dog's weight, which may signal an illness.
- Another way to keep your dog fit is to avoid letting his
daily exercise slide, no matter how content he seems to
be watching the world from the front window.
- Slow down your pace and shorten your walks, if need be,
but don't forgo activity altogether.
To help your dog get his stiff, arthritic joints moving each
morning, or to help ease the nagging pain of hip or elbow
dysplasia, spend a few minutes gently messaging his joints.
If you're short on time, you might consider focusing on his
ears and feet to give him a jump-start to a pain-free day:
According to practitioners of dog acupuncture and massage,
the ears and feet contain all the energy paths for the entire
body (although such pats are scientifically unproven). As
an added bonus, when you're massaging your dog, you'll be
likely to notice any lumps, bumps, and skin and coat changes,
all of which should be reported to your vet. Softer bedding
and vet-approved vitamins might also soothe creaky joints.
A little compromise is to be expected. If you notice that
your dog is having trouble hopping up onto his favorite couch,
either teach him to stay down, place a stool nearby to help
him hoist himself up or provide a soft pillow for him to lie
on. Loading your older dog into the car can also become a
problem. If he can't jump into the back of a high minivan,
or even hop into the back seat of a car, use a strong plank
of wood with a nonslip surface as a ramp to help him walk
with dignity into his favorite cruising seat. Elevating his
food dish to chest-height is an especially good idea with
an older dog, since bending only contributes to more pain
and neck-strain problems. Do all that you can to ensure that
his comfortable daily routine doesn't change too much. Dogs
don't like to veer too far off their familiar course.
That distinguished gray beard, those white tufts between
his toes and his salt-and-pepper coat are other signs that
your dog is getting along in years. However, don't let the
gray fool you into thinking that he doesn't need as much grooming
as he used to. Brush and clean him as always, using a more
delicate touch if necessary. In addition, don't chalk up consistently
bad breath to the normal aging woes. It may be a sign of illnesses
such as liver disease, chronic indigestion or stomach ulcers.
Chronic halitosis can also be caused by periodontal disease,
which can, itself, lead to other health problems, including
heart, lung and kidney disease. Keep up with your dog's dental
and gum-care routine and report consistent or recurring breath
problems to your vet. As always, check your dog's ears, eyes,
nose, coat and full body, keeping alert for any changes that
may signal illness.
Common Health Problems -
To monitor your dog’s health, do a quick scan during your
weekly grooming session. Check his whole body, from nose to
tail, and look for signs of illness such as matted fur, swelling
or unusual discharge. Nose secretions should be clear, and
his pulse — taken by pressing your fingers on the inside of
his upper thigh — should fall within the range of 50 to 130
beats per minute, depending on the breed. In addition, check
for dehydration by twisting the skin of his shoulder. A healthy
dog's skin will snap right back.
Emergency Care - Dogs
will be dogs, and with this special status comes a world of
play, activity and fun. Sometimes, however, sprains, breaks
and even more serious accidents can befall a dog, or sudden
serious health conditions can arise. Your responsibility as
his human companion is to try to prevent problems while being
prepared for every eventuality. Your immediate actions can
mean the difference between life and death for your pet. First
aid, as its name implies, is the initial treatment your dog
will receive after the incident, to stabilize or comfort him.
Usually your goal is to get him to the vet as quickly as possible,
or at least to speak to a vet for advice. Post the numbers
of your vet and the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic in a
handy spot, and also make sure you have the number of an animal
poison control center. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit in
an easily accessible place. Have an ice pack and extra bandages
on hand, as well as larger items such as a board or blanket
or towel that can double for a stretcher. Consider taking
a course in canine first-aid and CPR to prepare yourself;
CPR should only be administered if you know exactly what you’re
doing.
If you live in an area with frequent tornadoes or the potential
for other natural disasters, it helps to have a well-thought-out
plan of action ready, including a detailed evacuation plan
and extra survival supplies. Ask your vet or local humane
society about the emergency services available in your area.
BACK TO TOP
Find your dog needs here at Pet Lifestyle.
Dog
Care Basics Guide This includes - Feeding & Nutrition,
Pregnancy, Grooming, Aging Dogs, Common Health Problems, Emergency
Care.
Dog
Choosing Basics This includes - Shopping Around, Mixed
Breeds, Dog-Proofed House, Big Commitment, First Days.
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