Health Check
The five-point health check for dogs
Remember to examine all five areas in your dog:
Weight Checks
Weigh your dog regularly, at least once per month. You can also monitor changes in body weight by scoring your dog's body condition using the Waltham® S.H.A.P.E.™ guide.
If your dog is slightly overweight, you need to make sure that you account for all sources of calories as part of the daily intake, including treats. Feeding guidelines printed on packages are broad by design, because they cover a wide range of sizes and breeds of dogs. They are an estimate of what the average dog requires based on his body weight. Adjust your dog's daily intake of food according to his body condition (eg. reducing if he is overweight, increasing if he is underweight). You may also want to consider feeding a lower calorie weight management diet. If your dog is moderately to severely overweight, discuss the need for a weight reduction program with your veterinarian. Implement an exercise program for your dog, starting slowly with short activity periods and gradually increasing the exercise time.
Coat and Skin
The coat should feel smooth from head to tail. Part the fur near the head and along the spine to check for flakes, scales or cuts. Check for the signs of fleas -black flakes or specks - at the base of the tail and on the rump and stomach. Dogs with a dull or matted coat may not be receiving all necessary nutrients, or may have a disease condition. Fleas can he treated with dips, shampoos and sprays.
Eyes and Ears
Gently pull down the lower eyelid to check for a pink colour. The whites of the eye should be glossy white with no redness. Look for normal pupil size and responsiveness of the pupil to light. Watch for coloured discharge, which can be a sign of infection.
Ears should appear clean, pink in colour (not bright pink), and free of debris and strong odours. Check for wax, especially dark wax, which may indicate the presence of ear mites or infection. Problems with eyes and ears should be a reason to visit your veterinarian.
Teeth and Gums
Lift your dog's lips away from his gums, and press a finger firmly over an upper tooth. When taken away, the white colour of the finger imprint on the gum should return to pink. Open the dog's mouth to inspect all his teeth. Beware of tartar build-up, which is yellow to dark brown in colour, and can lead to periodontal disease. This should be removed by a veterinarian. Regular veterinary dental cleaning along with specially designed pet toothbrushes and toothpaste and chew snacks designed to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up.
Spot Checks
Check for unusual lumps or bumps by placing both hands on top of your dog's head and moving down under the chin. Next, move your hands behind the front legs, under the shoulders, down the back, over the hips, and down the legs. Inspect your dog's claws and footpads for cuts or cracks. Report unusual lumps to a veterinarian, or plaque and tartar accumulation, gingivitis and malodor.
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Puppy Feeding Guidelines
What’s the best food for your puppy? How much and how often? All the breeds are so different, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.Small stomach, big appetitePuppies need to eat a lot of food in relation to their body weight to fuel all that growing they’re doing. But until their stomach grows too, they’ll need to have several small meals a day. The directions on the tin, pouch or bag should help you get the right portion size. (If your puppy’s not finishing their bowl within 20 minutes, you’re probably giving them too much.)Your puppy's condition is the best indicator of whether you’re feeding the correct amount. When the vet checks their weight, they’ll be able to confirm if your puppy’s growing at a healthy rate or whether you need to adjust their diet. What makes a good puppy food?A good puppy food will be specially balanced to meet your puppy’s energy, protein and mineral needs. It should be easy to digest to suit your puppy's immature stomach. So make sure you choose a food that's specially designed to suit puppies, rather than adult or senior dogs.And, of course, it must be tasty enough to enjoy.Are supplements necessary?No. Too much phosphorus or calcium can cause deformities, so don’t use supplements except on your vet’s advice.The danger of overfeedingOverfeeding will put too much stress on your puppy’s rapidly developing bones and joints and could result in permanent damage.Plenty of clean, fresh waterMake sure your puppy always has clean, fresh water available. If you notice that they’re thirsty all the time, consult your vet.
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Weaning Puppies: Puppy to Adult Food
Puppies grow very quickly, so they need specialist puppy food with extra energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus. Switching them to an adult diet too early can result in bone and joint abnormalities.How do you know the right time to switch to adult food? You need to wait until your dog is physically mature. As a rough guide this will be:- 9-12 months for toy, small and medium breeds like Chihuahuas and Springer Spaniels;- 12-15 months for large breeds like Labradors and Retrievers; and- 18-24 months for giant breeds like Great Danes and Newfoundlands.If you’re unsure when to switch your puppy over to adult dog food, you can always check with your vet.Click here to learn more about feeding your puppy.
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Want to try a different puppy food?
It’s always best to start your puppy off on the food they’re used to – after all, their life has already changed a lot in a short time. But if you decide that you’d rather change to another brand, or from wet to dry (or vice versa) what’s the best way to go about it?Dogs are creatures of habit – especially on the inside. Once their digestive system has got used to a particular food, it needs time to adjust to something new. A sudden change can produce vomiting and diarrhoea.But while it’s not sensible to offer your puppy a different food every day, it’s sometimes unavoidable – for example, when they get older, they’ll need to switch onto an adult food. Changing gradually is the key. Each day, mix a little more of the new food into his meals, until, after about a week, the new food has completely replaced the old one.
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Problem-free mealtimes for puppies
Puppies need a consistent feeding routine. You can ensure their mealtimes are problem-free with these tips.Small dogs eat less food than adult dogs but eat more often. Give your puppy the same number of meals each day, as follows:Small puppies: 4 to 5 small meals a day until they’re 10 weeks old. From 10 weeks to 5 months: 3 meals a day.After the 5th or 6th month: 2 meals a day.Your puppy’s internal tummy clock will start their digestive juices going at their usual dinnertime, whether you’ve put out their food or not. Unless you stick to a routine they won’t be hungry when you put their food out. And waiting too long could give your puppy tummy problems.Choose heavy-bottomed ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls. Plastic bowls will probably end up as chew toys, and the tooth marks could become a haven for bacteria and cause damage to the teeth and gums. A heavy bowl will also be harder for your puppy (and you) to knock over by accident.Make sure your puppy’s not disturbed while eating or they’ll get used to eating in fits and starts, or begin spreading their food around the house.Give them up to 30 minutes to eat their meal. After that, take away any uneaten food and serve fresh food at the next meal. Fresh water must be available all the time.After eating, your puppy may need some peace and quiet or a nap to help them digest their food properly. So plan exercise for before, not after, their mealtime!
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