There are so many simple things you could do to keep your pet healthy, really!
Foreign Bodies
Keep the living and play area clear of objects with potential to become ingested and cause trouble
Use muzzles or collars outdoors if your dog is hell bent on scavenging
Suspect everything, especially sticks, stones, gravel, bones, dead bits of animals, man-made objects, garden chemicals.
Superficial Injuries
Do not allow your pet to lick their wounds. This sounds counter-intuitive but they can infect the wound, make it larger and become obsessive and do more harm than good
Apply an Elizabethan collar (a “lampshade”, hood or a buster-collar}
Wash with salt water made of 10 teaspoons of salt in a pint of water.
Stay Slim
This is key to avoiding lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and pancreatitis as well as orthopaedic conditiions
Do not believe what is written on dog food containers and bags – trust only your fingers and your scales
You should be able to feel the ribs easily without a layer of fat in between
There should be a distinct waistline and the tummy should remain tucked up throughout
If you feed treats reduce the ordinary meals accordingly
Avoid feeding leftovers on top of ordinary meals especially ones which are fatty or gristly.
