Making the Best Choice for Your Puppy's Health and Well-being

 I started this post last year after our first couple of months of fostering Rhett. FYI Rhett update at the bottom of the post! Now I’m a week and a half into puppy training our new puppy, Bodhi and I’m questioning if getting a dog really was the best decision for my health… But despite the 3:00 AM wake-up calls, chewing EVERYTHING and a small bout of giardia, I have no doubts that once this little guy is trained, I’ll go back to my belief that dogs truly are the gateway to optimal health. Also he’s currently having puppy dreams next to me in bed, while I write this post and I cannot imagine anything that could make me happier. Why Getting A Dog Was The Best Choice I Made For My Health. I remember taking Rhett on a walk during a cold, winter morning with a blizzard circling around us. As someone who HATES winter, being forced to wake up early to go outside is not exactly my dream activity. But when a man’s gotta pee, he’s gotta pee. For as much as I may have hated this activity, I ...

 Do you have a young canine companion? If so, you likely do everything possible to avoid your pet being in harm's way. It is a fundamental truth that prevention is better than cure regarding pet and human health.    Health problems are usually less costly and easier to prevent than they are to treat. It is possible to detect or prevent many canine diseases early. Left undiagnosed and untreated, many canine conditions can lead to severe complications. They can lead to a long-term prognosis. So, it would help if you understood the importance of a preventative health plan for your pup.   What Is a Puppy Preventative Health Plan?   A preventative health plan is a great way to provide veterinary care. It is the best way to keep your furry friend healthy. One of the biggest concerns among dog owners and veterinarians alike is how best to maintain the dogs' health from puppyhood to their senior years.    According to many veterinary professionals, pet owners...

 Good nutrition is feeding your dog the building blocks and energy components that allow them to grow, develop to their potential and stay active throughout their life.There are many ways to feed your dog and hundreds of diets to choose from.  Most people tend to use dry and canned dog food for convenience and cost. However, for owners who are open minded about their dog’s diet, there are alternatives to dry and canned dog food that may offer better nutrition for your particular dog.   At Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital, we have spent decades educating pet owners about proper dog nutrition for dogs of all ages, breeds, conditions and lifestyles. Because canine nutrition ultimately plays a large part in the quality of your dog’s life, we want to share some veterinary insight with you about proper dog nutrition, whether you are looking for puppy food recommendations, or adult and senior dog nutrition advice .      The keys to canine nutrition The follo...

Puppies require our attention, training, time, and patient instruction to become well-mannered, confident dogs. There are many actions that a pet owner should take during their puppy’s first year to give them a paw up on wellness for life. Unfortunately, many inexperienced dog owners wait until it is too late to give attention to these needs during the important formative years.  This is why your team at Dickinson Animal Hospital and Pet Wellness Center wants to shed some light on what you should be doing for your puppy’s health . These tips are aimed at raising a happy, healthy dog , and isn’t that every dog owner’s aim?  Puppy’s First Wellness Exam  As soon as you welcome your new puppy home, schedule an appointment with us for a checkup. Many pets come from shelters, Craigslist, and places where their background is unknown. Puppies are susceptible to a variety of illnesses and parasites, which is why they require an in-depth wellness examination, blood work and fecal ...

Proper pet care is the basis of responsible pet ownership. It is important when you adopt a pet to understand it is a lifetime commitment to a furry family member that depends on you for his or her health and well-being.  Happily, the unconditional love and joy that pets bring to our lives more than makes up for the added responsibility that comes with welcoming adding a furry child to your family. To ensure your pet’s health and happiness, following are the necessities that all responsible pet owners need to provide. Pets need healthy food. Just like people, pets need food that meets their specific nutritional needs . Dog foods are designed to meet a dog’s nutritional needs and cat foods are designed to meet a cat’s nutritional needs. Importantly, their dietary needs are very different. Puppies require different food from senior dogs. Pet’s with health issues may require special diets. Table scraps are typically not good for dogs and cats because many of the foods we eat, such a...

 Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of snuggling up to a furry friend. It’s only recently that studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal bond. Pets have evolved to become acutely attuned to humans and our behavior and emotions. Dogs, for example, are able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will look into your eyes to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you’re thinking and feeling (and to work out when the next walk or treat might be coming, of course). Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiov...

  What do veterinarians recommend most when they are asked how to keep my dog healthy ? Most veterinarians agree that proper diet, regular exercise, routine checkups, and proper grooming—not to mention lots of love—will go a long way toward keeping your furry family member in tip-top shape.  6 Steps to a Happier, Healthier Life for You Dr. Oscar Chavez What do veterinarians recommend most when they are asked how to keep my dog healthy? Most veterinarians agree that proper diet, regular exercise, routine checkups, and proper grooming—not to mention lots of love—will go a long way toward keeping your furry family member in tip-top shape.  6 Steps to a Happier, Healthier Life for You and Your Dog 1. Don’t “weight” until it’s too late Once you see that wagging tail or lip licking, it’s pretty easy to overfeed your four-legged friend. I mean, what’s the harm? Well, plenty, actually. As with overweight humans, there is a long list of potential problems that an overweight dog mi...

Are you getting a puppy? What kind of dog do you want: big or small, long haired or short haired, pure bred or sweetly mixed? Have you located a litter of available pups? Do you know how to pick just the right pup from the litter to call your very own? There are a lot of factors to consider when getting a new dog including home size, time allowance for play and exercise, and healthcare costs. How do I choose a healthy pup? In order to select a healthy puppy, it is important to do your research: 1. Talk to the owner. Ask about appetite and eliminations. Do all the pups eat dry puppy food? Have they vomited or had diarrhea? Have the pups been treated for intestinal parasites? (All pups should be dewormed every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age.) 2. Observe the litter mates in action. Do they all play together or is there a quiet one that retreats to a corner? Is there one pup that always seems to come out on top of the heap? If you want an assertive pet, that one may be for you. If you ...

Bringing a new puppy into your home will change your life forever. Puppies are definitely a lot of work, but they also bring plenty of joy to your world. Whether you are ​getting your first puppy or just need a refresher course, here's what you'll need to know to get your puppy on the right track to adulthood. Watch Now: 7 Steps to Prepare for a Puppy     01 of 10     Choosing the Right Puppy     Multiple white and tan labrador puppies looking up and leaning on wire barrier     The Spruce / Kristie Lee     If the time is right for getting a puppy, you will now have to choose the best match. Perhaps your future companion will find you. A puppy can come into your life by chance and you can feel an instant connection and know it is the right one, but it doesn't always happen like that. Often, you must take on the important task of going out and finding the right kind of puppy for you.     First, examine your lifestyle and consider...

 Choosing a healthy dog food for your furry BFFs is one of the most important health decisions you will ever make on their behalf. Diet affects every single aspect of canine wellness from snout to tail, but with so many options on the market, making the best choice for your pups can be pretty daunting. shop As a veterinary technician with more than 15 years experience, I have personally seen the myriad of health problems a poor diet can cause – diabetes, obesity, joint problems and heart disease to name just a few. On the other hand, I have also witnessed the results of healthy feeding – strong pearly whites, beautiful coat, plenty of pep, and most importantly – longer life. Wellness has taken a fresh approach to the diet dilemma by creating foods that focus on 5 major physical signs of a healthy, happy dog – healthy energy levels, beautiful skin and coat, strong teeth and gums, healthy digestion, and a strong immune system. All of their Complete Health recipes are packed with vita...

 Along with providing your pup with all the love and attention they need, here are 6 tips from our Rainbow City veterinarians on how you can help keep your dog healthy. 1. Meet Your Dog's Nutritional Needs Your dog's nutrition is a big part of their overall health. To keep your dog in the best shape possible, speak with your vet about which type of food they recommend and how much you should be feeding your dog based on their age, size, and lifestyle. Aim for food that contains high-quality ingredients that help support a balanced diet. If your dog has special dietary or health needs, there are plenty of prescription food options available that can help your dog reach their optimal health.  2. Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight Obesity has been linked to a number of serious conditions in dogs including diabetes and joint pain, so keeping your dog at a healthy weight is essential for optimal health. While selecting high-quality food is essential, it is important to also...