After 20 years as a veterinarian, I often feel like a broken record in the exam room as I educate pet owners on how to best care for their dogs. So, I've compiled my Top 5 Best Recommendations to help your dog live its best life. I hope this helps all our readers provide excellent care to their beloved pets and also alleviates suffering in our animal friends.
1) Brush Your Dog's Teeth Everyday
My very top recommendation to create the best possible life for your dog is to brush his or her teeth everyday or at least three times a week at a minimum. Dental disease is by far the most common disease I see every single day and it is so preventable. Just as you wouldn't even think of not brushing your teeth before bed, our pets need our help with their oral hygiene too. Plaque is the sticky bacterial film that accumulates on teeth within 24 hours of brushing. It takes about 3 days for plaque to turn into tartar. Only plaque can be removed with a toothbrush. It takes ultrasonic scaling to remove tartar. This is why it is so important to brush teeth very often. You are not helping your dog if you only brush their teeth once a month or if they only get it done at the groomers. Obviously, the best time to start with tooth brushing is during puppyhood when their teeth are brand new and sparkling clean and they are learning to accept our handling. But, if you have an adult dog, it's still not too late to train them to accept tooth brushing. I adopted my little dog when he was about 2 years old and he's a champ when it comes to me brushing his teeth. It is part of our daily routine so there is nothing scary about it. Watch this video to see how it's done.
2) Keep Your Dog Lean
Most dogs LOVE to eat (just like people) and obesity is probably the second most common disease I see in my patients. By keeping your dog lean throughout its life, you will help prevent so many unwanted diseases and issues for them. Arthritis, cancer, skin problems, breathing problems, and diabetes are just a few of the issues that are more common in overweight dogs. We rate dogs on a body condition score (BCS) of 1-9 taking into consideration not only their actual body weight but also their body conformation, breed, and muscle mass. A score of 1 is emaciated, 9 is obese and 5 is ideal. Here is a chart to help you understand how to give your dog a score.
3) Prevent Parasites
Fleas are so common in Southern California and I see so many dogs suffering with fleas unnecessarily. I still remember my Dad hand picking all the fleas off my dog growing up and drowning them in a little bowl of soapy water. Yuck! We have come so far with our safe antiparasitic medications that those days are long gone, thankfully. Many dogs are allergic to fleas which causes intense itching, skin infections, and a very unhappy pup. I recommend using Sentinel once a month starting at 2 months of age for life. Sentinel does 5 different things: prevents heartworm disease, prevents flea eggs from hatching, and kills whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms in the intestine. By preventing these uncomfortable parasites, you can help your dog live a much better life.
4) Feed A Well Balanced Diet
With so many pet food options out there, it is hard to know where to look for guidance. Please ask your vet, not the pet store clerk! Many of the diets being pushed by pet stores are simply not nutritionally balanced and can even lead to certain diseases in dogs. Pick a reputable company that you've heard of before who staff board certified veterinary nutritionists to formulate their diets and who perform feeding trials. Do not fall for "fads" that create scare tactics like "grain-free" or "without by-products." And if you do decide to home-cook for your dog, please have a diet formulated for your individual dog. Do not try to do this on your own.
5) Socialize Your Dog From The Get-Go
Sadly, many dogs are euthanized every day for behavior problems. Shelters are overrun with dogs who did not receive proper training starting in puppyhood and are therefore not safe pets. I feel strongly that all puppies should start "Puppy Kindergarten" right after adoption at around 8-12 weeks of age. Dogs mature so rapidly that they build their personality very early in life. When dogs are not exposed to other dogs, other people, or just outside stimulation, they can develop fears that last for life. A fearful dog is usually the one who bites. We want calm confident dogs who know how to be alone and how to be with others. Basic obedience classes can be continued past the puppy stage and most dogs love to please and really want to learn. Be sure to look for quality dog trainers in your area.
The Drake Center for Veterinary Care is an AAHA-accredited animal hospital located in Encinitas, CA. The Drake Center loves being a source of information for all pet owners across the country however if you have any questions regarding pet care and do not live in Encinitas, CA or surrounding cities, we encourage you to contact your local veterinarian.
If you have questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (760) 452-3190, or you can email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.