7 Ways to Have a Healthy Dog

By Mark T Wright

A healthy dog is a happy dog so in order to help you keep your dog healthy, we've compiled a list of the top seven things you can do to promote your dog's wellness.

1: Regular veterinary check ups will enable your vet to spot signs of illness in your dog early and, as with humans, the earlier a potential problem is dealt with, the more likely it is to have a good outcome.

2: Watch out for indicators that something's wrong with your dog. Dogs are by nature inclined to hide illness so here's a list of things to watch for and consult your vet about:

• Drinking more water than normal
• Alteration in the patterns of urination/passing feces
• Poor appetite and weight loss/gain
• Changes in the dog's energy levels
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing or retching
• Any unusual lumps or masses

3: Control your dog's weight. An overweight dog has a shorter life expectancy than a dog that is of normal weight. Obesity can lead to heart problems, kidney disorders and many other life threatening diseases so ask your veterinarian what the ideal weight for your dog is and try to keep him/her at that weight.

4: Feeding your dog correctly will avoid a minefield of health problems. Many veterinarians recommend dietary supplements - especially if your dog is very young or very old - but in the main, a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber will keep your dog trim and well. Avoid giving too many treats and never give your dog chocolate. There are hundreds of dog treats available to buy so there should be no good reason to give your dog anything else.

5: Exercise is vital to your dog; large or small, all dogs need sufficient exercise. Exercising your dog will keep his/her weight down, strengthen the joints and muscles and provide stimulation. Also, when you're walking your dog, be on the lookout for anything that he/she might pick up and eat or lick which could be harmful. For example, slug bait, rodent poisons, thin brittle bones from someone's trash; all these things can cause life threatening illness so watch what your dog is doing when you're out.

6: Spay or neuter your dog if you don't intend to breed from it. Spaying your bitch before puberty will reduce the likelihood of her getting any of the 'female' cancers in later life. Similarly, neutering your male dog will reduce the chances of him developing prostate problems as well as the 'male' cancers. In addition, it will help to control his temperament and make him less likely to 'wander off' thereby reducing the chance of him being hurt.

7: Provide items that will stimulate your dog mentally. Toys and games help to keep your dog amused and interested, as does spending quality time with you and other members of your household.

Finally, if you're ever in doubt about your dog's wellbeing, consult your vet.

The author is the owner of DogSymptoms.org . Learn about dog parvo symptoms and pregnant dog symptoms from an expert at his dog symptoms site.