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How To Keep Your Dog Happy & Healthy

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In the midst of your busy life, it’s easy to forget that your pet needs a lot of attention too. It’s important to pay attention to their needs and provide a solid foundation for them. Have the entire family help out and pitch in, so you’re not stuck with all of the responsibility.

Educate yourself on what it takes to be a good pet owner if you’re new to the role. Your dog is ready to show you unconditional love, and it’s important you nurture and take care of them to the best of your ability. See how to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Play & Interaction

Play is very important in keeping your dog happy. Incorporate games of fetch or take him or her for a long hike. Get outside often and let them enjoy the outdoors. Another idea is to take them to the dog park where they can interact with other dogs. They’ll love this experience and will instantly find their purpose again. Keep it fresh and switch up the play dates and activities. Worst case, go in your backyard and chase them around, so you both work up a sweat.

Clean Fur

Brush your dog often to keep their coat looking shiny and new. If you find any issues when brushing them, take care of it right away. For example, this website offers fast-acting, long-lasting, waterproof, convenient spot treatment for control of fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae, ticks and chewing lice. This isn’t a situation you’re going to want to mess around with. Get it taken care of right away with this product, so you don’t have to worry about fleas or ticks any longer. It’s also important to bathe or groom them on a regular basis.

Treats

Reward your dog with treats. It’s as simple as having some nearby whenever they perform a good behavior. The more you reinforce what they’re doing right, the less they’ll misbehave. Treats are a great training tool and opportunity to show your pet you love them and that they’re doing a good job. Bring them along with you on your walk and give your pet one each time they behave themselves while interacting with another person or dog. Treats are an easy and inexpensive way to keep them cheerful.

Sleeping area

Make sure your dog has somewhere pleasant to sleep that’s made just for them. Purchase a dog bed and place it in a comfortable space around your home where they feel safe. You want your dog to get a good night’s sleep and not wake you in the middle of the night. Have a doggy blanket for them too when the air is cool, or it’s cold outside. This will also help keep them off of the furniture and your bed.

Conclusion

It takes effort to satisfy your pet. Take care of them, and it’ll be a more pleasant experience for everyone. This is how to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Taking Care of a Sick Dog at Home

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For many people, their dogs are the next best thing to a child. It’s only natural that you want to care for a sick puppy. Your dog can’t tell you if he’s feeling ill or he’s in pain, so it is important to look after him carefully after surgery or during a bout of illness.

Tummy Bugs

Dogs can pick up bugs just like us, so they do sometimes throw up or suffer a bout of diarrhea. You can take care of most minor problems at home. Dogs love to eat things that disagree with their stomach, no matter how noxious it might taste or smell. The decomposing rabbit your dog dug up on a long walk might not look very appetizing to you, but it is the equivalent of cordon bleu cuisine to him. Unfortunately, it will probably give him a bad tummy for a few days.

Diet

If your dog has a bad tummy, restrict his food intake for 48-hours, or until the symptoms clear up. Avoid giving him anything that could upset his stomach further. Boiled chicken and rice are bland but palatable, and may tempt him to eat something.

Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water, especially if he is vomiting and/or has diarrhea. Keep a close eye on his urine output, and if he isn’t peeing much, contact your vet for advice, as dehydration could lead to more serious health problems.

Sick dogs need to be kept quiet, preferably away from the hustle and bustle of the family. Move your dog’s bed to a quiet room where he won’t be disturbed by kids and visitors. He won’t feel like being sociable, just like you don’t when you are ill.

Keep Your Dog Quiet

Lay newspaper on the floor if your dog is throwing up or he has diarrhea. He will not be able to tell you if he needs to vomit or go to the toilet, so accidents may happen. The newspaper will make it easier to clean up the mess.

Administering Medicine

You may need to administer medicine to your dog. Read the dosage instructions carefully and if in doubt, check with your vet. Give your dog his meds according to the label, or it will not be as effective. Some dogs hate taking pills, so buy some pill pockets so you can hide pills inside a tasty treat.

Exercise

Keep your dog quiet until he is feeling better. Walks should be short and sweet. Give your dog enough time to do his businesses and then take him home. If he doesn’t want to go for a walk, respect his wishes.

Is it Serious?

If your dog is feeling off-color, monitor him closely. In most instances, he will pick up again within a short time, but if you have any reason to suspect it is more serious than a dodgy tummy or your dog could have been poisoned or come into contact with a contagious infection, schedule an appointment at the vet. Your vet will be able to treat your dog and advise you on the best way to take care of him.

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