Pet Care Tips for Pet Owners Young and Old

When you have a dog, you want to make sure they stay healthy. This includes a few things into you regular routine, such as dental care, possibly anal and care and nail care. You can learn about issues that can arise and ways you can care of your dog in these areas by reviewing the information below:

Your dog's teeth

Your dog's teeth need to be cared for, just like your own do. Dogs are susceptible to cavities and other dental issues in the same way humans are. This is why you should use a canine toothbrush and canine toothpaste to regularly brush their teeth. You should also give them dental bones to chew on that will help with plaque removal and fend off some of that bad breath.

If your dog will not let you brush their teeth, then you may need to take them in to the vet regularly so they can have them brushed. While they may not be having them brushed as often as they would if you did it yourself, something is still better than nothing. Also, no matter who brushes their teeth and how often it is done, you should still take them in once in a while for a professional teeth cleaning session where the vet will also use special tools to remove stubborn plaque.

Your dog's anal glands

Some dogs have an issue with small traces of feces getting caught in the area behind their anal glands. As more feces get caught, your dog will become uncomfortable and they will start to develop a bad, musty odor, even after just having a bath. This is because the odor is coming from their anal glands, an area not cleaned during their bath.

You can excrete the feces on your own if you have the vet teach you how, but most people don't have the stomach for this. Therefore, it's a good idea to take your dog into the vet to have it done when you notice that musty odor is back, when you see them scoot, boot, and boogie across the floor on their butt, or when you start to see seepage.

Your dog's nails

Your dog's nails will grow constantly and they need to be trimmed so they don't grow too long. If they get too long your dog can start to have a hard time walking and the nails can start getting stuck in the carpet as they walk. You can easily clip their nails on your own with a good pair of dog nail clippers. However, may dogs put up such a fight when having this done that you may not feel comfortable doing it yourself.

You can take the dog in to have their nails cut at the veterinarian office. They will be able to clip them for you without all of the stress and anxiety you may be putting yourself under when you attempt to do it at home.

Speak with a veterinarian for more information about animal care.