Despite what the cliché says, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Even though the summer has not yet come to an end, back-to-school time is right around the corner and JHVP has a few lessons to teach to all of you amazing pet owners!
Nutrition
Nutrition is an important part of your pet’s lifestyle. By following proper nutrition guidelines and limiting your pet’s snacking, you can watch your pet live a longer and healthier life. Every pet’s nutritional needs are different depending on lifestyle and medical issues. It is important to discuss your pet’s dietary needs with your veterinarian.
Before Each Veterinary Visit:
- Make note of the brand and name of the food you are feeding your pet
- Make note of any treats you are feeding your pet
- Know the amount you feed your pet daily (ex: 1 cup twice daily)
- Make note of what you use to feed your pet (slow feeder, metal bowl, etc.)
Between Veterinary Visits:
- Stay on top of food recalls
- Discuss dietary needs of your pet to those who are involved in your pet’s daily life
- Stay consistent with diets that work for your pet
Worried about your pets weight? Refer to AVMA’s Healthy Weight Chart below to determine if your pet’s weight is ideal.
Exercise
Exercising your pet is a great way to keep them happy and healthy. So much as just 30 minutes a day can make a big difference in your pet’s health. Not only does exercising keep your pet at a healthy weight, it also helps keep them calm throughout the day and strengthens their mind.
Ways to Exercise your Pet:
- Training sessions
- Walks/Runs
- Playing Fetch
- Using enrichment toys/puzzles
Dental Care
Your pet’s dental health is extremely important for their overall health and quality of life. Bad teeth can lead to poor appetite, weight loss, and pain in general for your pet. There are many causes of dental issues for cats and dogs, but the most common is periodontal disease. The problem starts with plaque that eventually hardens into tartar on your pet’s teeth. When plaque and tartar are below the gumline, it sets the stage for inflammation and infection, which can damage the tissue that connects the teeth to the jawbone. Periodontal disease does not stop at your pet’s mouth, it has also been linked to heart and liver disease.
To Prevent Dental Disease:
- Brush your pets teeth daily
- Use dental water additives
- Give your pet dental chews occasionally in the place of their regular treats
- Talk to your veterinarian about scheduling professional dental cleanings
Now that we have learned about important lifestyle practices for our pet, take your pet “back-to-school” by teaching them new commands and obedience.
Place/Stay Commands and Why they’re Important
Teaching your dog to “place” or “stay” are extremely important commands, especially when the children are going back to school. The last thing you need is your dog running out the door with your kids while they are running to the bus. The command “place” typically refers to your dog retreating to a particular spot and staying there while the command “stay” refers to your dog staying where they currently are. These commands can be very useful in times of excitement.
Teaching your dog to stay:
Step One: Choose a starting position (sit or lie down) and ask your pet to get in that position.
Step Two: Hold your hand out in front of you like you are making a stop sign and say “stay” in a firm voice.
Step Three: Reward your pet with a treat for staying in that position.
Step Four: Repeat the above steps while gradually increasing the time between the command and the reward.
Step Five: Once your pet can stay for 10 seconds or more, try asking your pet to stay while you back away or break eye contact. If the pet stays in their position, reward them with a treat and repeat.
Step Six: When your pet releases from their position, you can reward them and use the command “release” so your pet knows they are free to move.
Toothpaste, the Treat to Solve Dental Problems
We talked about how important your pets dental health is, but what do you do when your pet retreats at the site of the toothbrush? It is a very uncomfortable feeling when someone else has to brush your teeth with a toothbrush, so for our pets we typically recommend just using your finger as a more comfortable option. The toothpaste made for pets is enzymatic, so it just has to touch the teeth, it does not have to be vigorously brushed in. There are some steps you can take to get your dog used to the toothbrushing process.
Step One: Start by letting your pet lick the toothpaste off your finger freely at a specific time of day (when your making your coffee in the morning, loading the dishwasher after dinner, etc.) This helps get your dog used to the taste of the toothpaste and see the toothpaste as a daily treat.
Step Two: After your pet is comfortable licking the toothpaste off your hand, slowly progress to holding their muzzle while they lick the toothpaste.
Step Three: After your pet is allowing you to continuously hold their muzzle while licking the toothpaste, you can progress to rubbing the toothpaste on their teeth with your finger. Do this every day at the same time. Your pet will eventually remind you that its time for their daily toothbrushing!
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