Essential Dog Health Information

Dogs are the most popular household pet in the country, although more cats are owned as pets, a greater number of U.S. households owns dogs. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are approximately 69.9 million dogs in the United States, while there are about 74 million cats. On the other hand, 36.5% of U.S. households own dogs, as opposed to 30.4 percent that own cats.

Regardless of which pet is the most popular, all pet owners want their pets to live long, happy, healthy lives. When it comes to minimizing the risks for dog health problems, nutritious food, daily exercise, and annual veterinary visits are as crucial for St. Bernard health as for pug health.

Although all dog owners want the best for their pets, it is interesting that so many are either ignorant about preventing dog health problems, or they simply do not take their dogs’ health seriously enough. What makes this all the more perplexing is the fact that proper dog health care is so easy. Dog owners simply have to take the time to educate themselves about the simple ways they can maximize their dogs’ health.

Let us assume for a moment that you have just adopted a male pug puppy from your local shelter. Since each breed differs from the next, you are going to want to educate yourself about any unique pug health, nutrition, exercise, and grooming needs. One of the first things you will learn about pug health problems is the breed’s predisposition for hip dysplasia. By possessing this knowledge, you can then take steps to minimize the risks for developing this potentially debilitating hip disorder.

Regardless of the breed of dog you own, there are a few tips that are crucial for reducing the risk of common dog health problems. One of the most important is to give you dog monthly heart worm pills. Unbeknownst to many dog owners, it takes only one infected mosquito bite to cause an infection that is oftentimes fatal. Additionally, regular rabies vaccines are always necessary, even if your dog spends minimal time wandering outdoors.

As mentioned above, healthy food, regular exercise, and yearly veterinary examinations are also crucial for maintaining optimum health in your dog. After all, as a caring dog owner, why would you ever want anything but the best for your dog’s health?