7 Tips for Raising a Healthy Dog

If you just brought home a new puppy or are considering adopting a dog for the first time, it makes sense to look for tips to help you get off to a good start. Your dog will be much more than a pet. He will quickly become your friend and a member of your family. As such, you'll want to do everything you can to keep him healthy and happy.

Learn how to care for your companion with these tips for raising a healthy dog.

Don't get a puppy from a puppy mill

If you're still thinking about getting a puppy, avoid puppy mills. You should also avoid buying a puppy from a pet store because these often come from puppy mills.

The problem with puppy mills is that the people operating them care more about making a profit than they care about the well-being of the puppies they breed.

Puppies coming from puppy mills are likely to suffer from deadly diseases or genetic conditions, which means it can be extremely difficult to keep them healthy. To raise your odds of having a healthy dog, buy a puppy from a reputable breeder or adopt one from a rescue shelter.

Take your puppy to the vet and get him vaccinated

If your new puppy hasn't been vaccinated yet, take him to the veterinarian so he can get all the necessary vaccines. Vaccinating your dog is a safe way to protect him from diseases that could threaten his life. At the very least, all dogs should be vaccinated against rabies and DHP, which stands for distemper, parvo, and adenovirus.

Depending on your canine companion's lifestyle, vaccinating him against Lyme disease and leptospirosis could also be a good idea. Don't hesitate to ask your vet for advice. Remember that a vaccinated dog is more likely to be healthy.

Feed him quality dog food that meets his nutritional needs

A puppy should not eat the same dog food as an adult dog. And a senior dog will have different nutritional needs than an adult dog. If you're unsure which dog food to feed your pet, don't hesitate to ask your vet for advice.

Look for quality brands like Acana dog food, made from wholesome ingredients. If you want to give your dog table scraps occasionally, ensure you know which foods he can safely eat and which are dangerous.

Educate yourself about what your dog needs

Different dog breeds have different needs. For example, Border Collies, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers are very active dogs who need daily exercise.

On the other hand, a Basset Hound, a Chow Chow, or a Shih Tzu are low-energy breeds that can be perfectly happy with taking only a short walk each day. As a responsible dog owner, you must learn about your dog's needs and behaviour. This will help you raise a healthy dog.

Train your dog and keep him on a routine

Dogs are happier when they know they can rely on a daily routine. When a dog knows exactly when he will get fed, when he will go for a walk, and when you'll be available to play or cuddle with him, he feels safe and confident.

Training your dog, teaching him what you want and don't want him to do, and establishing a routine for him to follow will save him a lot of stress and anxiety.

Play with your dog and make sure he gets enough exercise

To raise a healthy dog, you must ensure he gets enough exercise each day. A puppy should be fine with a short walk and a few play sessions. If you have a high-energy adult dog, he will need to spend a lot of time playing and running around. Remember that dogs lacking physical and mental stimulation are likelier to engage in destructive behaviour.

Take your dog to the vet whenever you notice something is wrong

Even if you carefully follow all these tips for raising a healthy dog, your pet could still get sick or injured. Schedule annual checkups with your vet to ensure your dog has no underlying disease. As your companion grows older, his nutritional needs will change, and your vet can provide helpful advice.

But it would help if you also took your dog to the vet whenever you notice something's wrong with him. If he coughs, pants excessively eat a lot more or a lot less than usual, or suddenly changes his behaviour, these could all be symptoms that he is sick and needs treatment.