Tips For Ensuring Proper Dog Health

by Brice Targil

Taking in a new pet, like an adorable puppy, also means taking on a responsibility. Not giving proper care to an animal is considered abuse and action can be taken. There are numerous books about how to keep up on dog health, but let's face it - they can be hundreds of pages long, and who really has the time to read that? Instead, here are a few tips to remember for keeping your dog healthy.

Meeting at least annually with a veterinarian has many benefits for an owner and a dog. During these quick check-ups, dogs are given their regular shots in order to maintain protection from contractible diseases. This is also a great time to give the dog a few routine scans in order to make sure that no issues are forming physically, such as problems that come with aging or different cancers. Bringing a pet to a vet for a checkup is a lot like a person going to the doctors.

To keep the pet and the other residents of its home safe from diseases and ailments, vaccinations are an absolute must. Not only are they required in most states by law, but they are extremely effective in protecting the animal from contracting harmful diseases such as rabies. Diseases like this could affect the dog and the owner alike, so vaccinations are absolutely necessary.

It takes only a few seconds to run online and search the type of dog you have as well as its age and activity level in order to make sure it gets all the proper vitamins and nutrients. It is the same with humans - keeping vitamin levels high will make the dog sharper and more energetic. It will also help boost immunity to prevent the dog from getting illnesses and fatigue.

Exercise goes hand-in-hand with the diet aspect of caring for the pet. Running around with the dog, going to play outside, and generally encouraging movement are extremely easy but vitally important. If a dog doesn't exercise enough each day, he or she could put on weight and eventually become obese. This makes an animal more prone to diseases, like diabetes, and will reduce its quality of life.

The few aspects of maintenance required to keep up with dog health are nothing compared to all the fun and enjoyment the pet has to offer. Yearly visits with the veterinarian, proper diet and exercise, and upkeep with vaccinations merely serve as a small price to pay for these loving, loyal animals. However, they are very important, and neglecting to keep up on them is not fair to the pet.

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The Common English Bulldog Ailments That Affect The Breed

by Owen Makita

There's no doubt about it - English bulldogs make for friendly companions and are one of the few dogs that are safe to have around the house when small children are present. Their amicable personalities make these wrinkled, lovable dogs the best of pets. However, sometimes you have to resist the cute face and the hugs and kisses - there are many English bulldog ailments you need to check for prior to making the commitment of bringing the pup home.

These dogs are classified as brachycephalic dogs, or dogs with short snouts. This commonly results in compression of the upper jaw. Unfortunately, this is the cause for man respiratory problems in this breed. Nasal openings could be pinched or blocked, making breathing very difficult. Other respiratory issues could be attributed to narrow nostrils and windpipes.

Skin infection is another health issue that tends to attack English bulldogs in particular. Often, these dogs will get pododermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, around the paw area for reasons that are hard to identify. It is also common that parasites, bacteria and fungi can find a home between the thick, heavy wrinkles in the bulldog's skin, causing infection of the skin and even the hair follicles.

English bulldogs' shallow eye sockets make poor vision a big issue for this breed. Most English bulldogs have eyes that protrude out of the head, and in some cases, the eyelid will not completely close. In other cases, drooping layers of forehead skin will interfere with eyesight or rub against the eye. In extreme cases, this could result in the dog's ultimate blindness.

It is a well-known fact that English bulldogs, unlike most dogs, are extremely sensitive to high levels of heat. This is due to the fact that they are often affected by breathing problems. Since dogs cool themselves off by panting, this is difficult to do with a respiratory blockage and could cause the dog to suffer from a heat stroke. This is something, though, that can be managed by the dog's owner.

As long as an owner is willing to pay lots of attention to the bulldog pup and give it the care it needs, the English bulldog ailments shouldn't get too bad unless it is in an extreme situation. However, these dogs desperately need a home where they will be paid attention to, and should not be left alone or outside for too long. Otherwise, they are extremely cute and loyal animals.

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How To Care For A French Bulldog by kathleenchester

Caring for a French Bulldog, or "Frenchie" as they have been nicknamed, can be a fun and rewarding experience as long as you take the time, and put a little effort into it. These dogs are great companions, are very loving and loyal, and completely rely upon you, as their owner, to take care of them.

The first step in caring for your French Bulldog is to get a collar for them, with tags that include your name and phone number. License them and have them registered with the local Human Society. Everyday animals get lost and end up in the local pound. If your dog does happen to escape, a tag that leads back to the owner is almost a guarantee that the family will be reunited with their pet within a short period of time.

If you are not planning on breeding your dog, then have them spayed or neutered when they reach the appropriate age. The world is being flooded with abandoned dogs, even French Bulldogs, so take the precaution of fixing your animal so that no unwanted surprises may arise in the future. People from all over the world claim that dogs such as these should never be spayed or neutered because of their value, but if you are purchasing the animal as a pet and have no plans to have puppies, then take them to the vet and have the deed done.

Feed your puppy with high quality dog food. Avoid the cheap generic brands because they have additives in them, such as ground up feathers that can harm the health of your dog. Feed them one full bowl a day, or two small bowls per day. It is important to not over feed your puppy, which will make them overweight and unhealthy.

Exercise your puppy on a regular basis. The healthier your bulldog is, the longer they will live, and the happier they will be. Set some time aside everyday to go for a walk in the park, or in the mountains, or even around the block a couple of times. The location of the walk is not near as important as actually doing the walk.

The personal hygiene of your puppy is also a mandatory aspect of caring for your Frenchie. Since this breed drools throughout the day, use a warm wash cloth and clean the entire face and neck area, making sure to get into all of the folds and creases. Bathe them in warm water on a regular basis, using only shampoo designed for dogs. Once every couple of months, have the teeth cleaned, and make regular veterinary visits to ensure that their health, and their shots, are up to date and at a safe level.

Caring for your French Bulldog puppy may seem to be a time consuming venture, but it is well worth it. Having a healthy, happy, lovable dog at your side is one of the greatest pleasures of life.

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