Good health is equally important for dogs as it is for humans. As a pet owner, you want to ensure a long life for your dog. Staying healthy is a key for long life of your dog. Follow these simple tips for keeping the health of your dog on right path:

Balanced, nutritious food is the key: Optimum nutrition is the most important factor that ensures good health of your dog. Diet has a great impact on the energy level, weight, coat and skin of the dog. Any disturbance in these may be due to inappropriate nutrition. A good diet contains all the nutrients in right balance. Good quality commercial dog food is available in the market with the right proportion of all nutrients. It is better if you can offer your dog home cooked food. Many diseases in the dog are caused by the food which lacks enough nutrients. Also, the food should please the taste buds of the dog, otherwise he may reject it.

Routine Exercise: Like humans, exercise is a part of healthy lifestyle of dogs. Except some breeds (which doesn’t require exercise), dogs need regular exercise. Some dog owners take the importance of exercise too lightly for the good health of their dog. Just like unbalanced diet, lack of exercise may give birth to various diseases. A dog has certain level of energy which he needs to release. If the dog is not releasing that energy through exercise, it may come out as destructive behaviour or anxiety. Depending on the size and breed of dog, he must be taken outside for exercise. Regular exercise also helps in keeping metabolism right and dog in a good shape.

Regular Grooming: “Grooming is only for show dogs” is an old concept. Grooming is a must for keeping the dog healthy. Brushing, bathing, and nail trimming are important parts of good grooming. Brushing promotes good oral hygiene and avoids problems such as tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease, tartar, infection etc. Similarly, regular bathing avoids skin problem and stink. Depending on the coat, skin type and breed of the dog, you can set a definite grooming regimen for your dog. If you are a busy pet owner, you can also hire a grooming professional for your dog.

Vet care: Vet is one of the most important people in the life of your dog. Find a veterinarian which you can count on and can visit regularly. As an ideal case, your dog should be examined twice an year. Your vet can recommend certain exercises and food based on the health examination of your dog. Puppies are senior dogs are more prone to diseases, so they should be taken to vet more frequently. As a good pet owner, you should also learn how to communicate with your vet.

Also, post the phone number of your vet with other emergency numbers.

Maintain hygiene at his sleeping place: It is your foremost responsibility to provide a clean, dry and comfortable shelter to your dog. The accommodation area of your dog should have enough protection against wind, rains, heat and cold. A dog is highly likely to fall sick in extreme weather conditions and unhygienic living conditions.
Shelter of your dog should be made of waterproof material. There are various commercial doghouses available that are designed to meet the requirements of dog.

Offer Fresh drinking water:  Perhaps the most important one. Fresh drinking water is very essential for the good health of dogs. Provide the water in a clean bowl designed in such a way that it is convenient for your dog to drink water from it. Stainless steel bowls are a good choice as they are easy to clean and unbreakable. Change water in the bowl every morning and also put some chopped meat around the bowl so that dog can develop a habit of drinking more water.
Hydration is very important for good metabolism, shiny hairs and dog’s skin. You can also add pedialyte in his water bowl to put back electrolytes and prevent dehydration.

Vaccination: Vaccination in dogs helps in preventing various deadly diseases. Diseases such as distemper, parvo, panleukopenia and rabies can be put off by proper vaccinations. Also, everybody loves a healthy dog. You can also socialize your dog after proper vaccination.
Also, it is important to keep an eye on warning signs that indicate a disease. In case of any doubt, consult your vet so that the disease can be controlled.