When Something Goes Wrong

When something goes wrong with your dog, do not worry, just contact your veterinarian or take them there right away. Health problems are normal as they are in humans and there is always a solution depending on how well you take care of your pet. If you want to know if your dog is healthy and happy then closely look at their behavior and if there are any changes. If you have to ask why they are laying like that all day when they are usually active and all over the place then something is wrong. Check your dog’s eyes, you can do this by simply taking two fingers and opening them up slightly, if they are clear and you can see your reflection in them then they are good, if they have a foggy look to them and milky then seek attention. If you want to know if they are dehydrated then touch their nose, if it is wet and cold then they should be good, if they are warm and dry then give them water, this is normal. Check their ears, if their earwax is lots of black clumps then it can be brain damage or a yeast infection, you can also know by the smell and if it is no pleasant, get this treated as it can cause damage to their hearing. If your dog is always whining and you have given him everything possible, like his food, water, affection, then make sure he gets a check-up.

Spaying and Neutering

There are so much that is unknown about spaying and neutering your dog but the best way to find out these things is through your veterinarian. However, I can tell you that it is better for you dog’s health if you do this and they can live a longer life. Just remember you neuter a male dog and spay a female dog, neutering is a lot cheaper because you only remove the testicles of the dog whereas the female process is removing the uterus and ovaries. Depending on the size of the dog varies with the price as well. A lot of dogs are put down because of medical reasons and mostly in companion animals so you can decrease or prevent this by spaying and neutering them. It just makes your life easier, financially, by saving you money on a bunch of little puppies. Many people want to know the best age to neuter a dog but there is no actual right answer because some say if you do it too early then they can develop cancer but it is not proven. If your pet is unsprayed or not neutered then they can definitely develop some type of cancer whether uterine or something else in the reproductive system. Getting your dog spayed or neutered can save you costs on your pet’s care and decrease rowdy behavior. In addition to the health benefits, the longer you wait the harder it will be to perform surgery on your pet. Your dog’s personality will not change after surgery but they may not be able to exhibit to certain behaviors which is normal.

Puppy Proofing The House

Puppy proofing your home is important because the same way that you would try to keep your newborn baby safe from things in your house, the same way you should treat your pet. Looking back at my first post, I mentioned household cleaners and products you can use to keep your house GREEN and the air healthy for your pets. Check that out because that relates to this post on how to keep your puppy from having health problems as they are delicate when they are born. Just like when a baby is growing teeth and will want something to chew so will a puppy and they will think cords are a chew toy so hide or put them away, or put a chewable tube on them. If there are low cabinets and drawers anywhere then use childproof latches which prevent them from opening up anything and going in to explore. Keep any products out of the way that can harm them if they were to get any in their mouth like shampoos, soaps, etc. Keep the toilet seat down and the garbage in the bathroom under the sink or get a shut tight lid one. Dogs are attracted to your scent and anything that smells like you so be sure to keep anything you do not want destroyed out of their reach like clothing, shoes, etc. Be sure to take a walk in every inch of your home and look out for any danger towards your puppy, put away small things that can be swallowed.

Newborn care

Newborns are very delicate and must be taken care of just as you would for a baby. Cleanliness is key for puppies and their mother so be sure to always keeping an area that is comfortable for them. Just remember that whatever you are doing to keep the mother healthy is what will keep the puppies healthy as they get their milk from her. Eventually the puppies will be able to eat solid foods after four week but until then, they gain all their nutrients from the milk of their mother to keep their immune system and development as healthy as possible. If under any circumstances the mother is not around then it is not recommended to give puppies human milk, contacting a veterinarian for a substitution is best. In their second month, they can eat dry foods and milk and then start eating solid foods after that. There are many signs to look out for to know if a puppy is sick like not nursing and staying away from the mother or vomiting and diarrhea, it will also cry a lot. Look for defects in their behavior and/or appearance, if any of these signs are visible then get the puppy to a veterinarian right away. Asking your veterinarian for advice and facts are best because there are many things that we do not know about newborns just like we do not know about newborn humans. It is not recommended to do any breeding at home but always keep in close contact with your veterinarian to keep your puppy healthy.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations for your dogs are important because it prevents a number of diseases like rabies, hepatitis, and a numerous amount of different types of diseases but it will help your pet live a healthy life. They cost less than treatments so it is better to get your dog vaccinated than risk the fact that they can catch a disease even if they are always indoors. Just like how humans get vaccinated against diseases, it works the same way in animals, eventually the vaccination will need to be taken again as it stops working after a while. Just remember that dogs age faster than humans and should be checked regularly as there is no known fact as to how often they should get vaccinated. This is the most simple and effective way to keep your dog safe, however, it is rare to see a vaccination not work in a pet but can be treated right away and has less of an effect on them given that they are vaccinated. Remember that there are no alternatives to vaccines so this is the best way to keep your pet healthy and having a longer life span. Most people do not want their dogs getting vaccinated but it does help to stop the spreading of contagious diseases. Discussing with your veterinarian about vaccination is important because you cannot just get them any vaccination since it depends on their age, health, etc. Bottom line, get your pet vaccinated and let them live a healthy life.

Dog Litter

Dogs are not like cats and like to do their business outside of the home. Unlike cats that have litter boxes, some dogs may be trained to urinate inside of the home in their cages, maybe on some newspapers. However, when you take your dog out for a walk you may walk with a pooper scooper and a bag to put their litter in. Be sure to use eco-friendly bags which are sold in most pet stores, these will keep the environment safe as you do have to dispose of them into the garbage after. There are also scoopers that are made from plastic bottles, recycled materials, etc. Some of you may give your dog’s shoes or just wipe their feet when they get into the house after taking a walk, be sure that the materials used for this are safe for them because their paws are delicate. Always clean up after your dog and be sure to dispose of their waster appropriately.

Dog beds

Dog beds are very important to keep clean because just like how humans’ beds get bugs so can dog beds. There are products that can be used on them to keep it clean and if there are sheets in them then make sure to wash them in eco-friendly laundry products at least once a week. Using harsh chemicals on your pets’ beds can be harmful to them because they are breathing in those chemicals from the bed when they sleep on it. Eco-friendly beds are comfortable so your pet will not have a problem in them. There are beds that can easily be found which are easy to wash and last a very long time. Usually they come with replaceable covers if your pet damages it in any way otherwise it can just be washed. The stuffing in dog beds is very bad for your dog so make sure you get a bed that is GREEN. The beds made from organic materials are best and there are different types depending on your dog because some may need more padding for aching joints. If you want a bed that will last a very long time if your dog is the scratching and biting type then there are beds that are resistant to these types of things. There are companies who are big on the environment and will give you exact statistics of how much they are saving. There are fairly cheap but very good quality beds for your dog and/or pets.