12/21/2024
👏 Love seeing & sharing great info/tips from other vets! 👏
Hi Guys! Dr Hook here. As promised - as a salute to the 12 Days of Christmas, here are 12 top tips I want all dog parents to know:
1 – Most dogs are overweight. You should be able to lightly run your hands down their side and easily feel their ribs. Thin dogs live longer, typically have less other health issues, and need less medication over their lifespan.
2 – Most dogs have dental disease. We recommend brushing with Dechra toothpaste, or wiping their teeth with VetraDent wipes as much as possible, and giving an assortment of VOHC approved chew treats. No real bones, or antlers. Check out VOHC.org for a huge list of great options.
3 – Walk them often! For steps, but also for sniffs. They literally need to stop and smell the roses. Their noses are 50 times stronger than ours, and sniffing public areas are how they scroll their social media. We have Instagram and TikToks – they have blades of grass and fire hydrants! 😊
4 – They need to exercise their brains. You can Google “Canine Enrichment”, and/or check out toys, snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, etc. in stores or online. They’re so good for their brains – young and old – and fun to watch as they figure things out.
5 – Grain-Free diets, esp “boutique” brands that are based on peas, other legumes, and sweet potatoes, can cause heart issues like Dilated Cardiomyopathy. They are usually deficient in Taurine, which is very important for heart health. Look for rice, barley, oats, etc… Dogs are omnivores. They need grains.
6 – People food is OK. Gasp! It really is. The key is lean, low salt, low fat, and in moderation. Feeding your dog M&M sized bites of chicken breast and string cheese are OK. Low fat Greek yogurt, green beans, cucumbers, and unsweetened applesauce are pretty yummy. You have to count all that as extra calories tho. If your dog is already a little chunky (See #1) then really, REALLY limit snacks and treats.
7 – Dogs naturally don’t like to be restrained/hugged, and don’t like their nails trimmed. It is so important to train your dog to be OK with these things, as they are needed for nail trims and vet visits. Very brief restraint, then a snack and a “Good Dog!” to start, and work your way up. Use nail trimmers to cut spaghetti noodles next to their feet so they get used to the sound. Time invested in training will absolutely pay you back.
8 – They need heartworm, flea, and tick preventative year-round. We’ve all seen random mosquitos around during the winter, inside and outside, and intestinal parasites are always a threat. We’ve had weird warm winters, and take pets on vacations, etc… just keep them on it for full protection.
9 – They need to be OK in kennels. Kenneling is a fact of life. Boarding, grooming, traveling, hospital stays, etc. There are great training tips online, videos on YouTube, and behaviorists, and trainers are always willing to help give tips.
10 – Doggy daycare is OK, but not every day. Dogs need exercise and socialization, but they also need to rest. Typically, between 10am and 3 pm is nap time for them, which is nice bc that’s often when we’re at work. Daycare is sometimes just too much excitement and not enough rest. They need their downtime for mental health. So yes to play dates, but also yes to quiet time.
11 – Be careful with dog parks. Many people don’t understand doggy body language and their dog may not be suitable for yours, potentially harming your dog. If you decide to take your dog, learn about body language and proper play behavior, so you can protect your dog and be their advocate to make sure they’re not being bullied (nor being the bully).
12 – You should vaccinate for more than Distemper and Rabies. Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is fatal to dogs, that CAN be passed to humans, and Lyme disease causes symptoms that range from pain and fever, to kidney failure. Bordetella is an extremely contagious cause of kennel cough. Vaccinate for those to keep them fully protected.
