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Puppies like human babies need additional love, care, and support in their growing age. The first month of a new puppy is critical as it needs the best healthcare, nutrition, and love to grow into a healthy and cheerful dog. Puppy health becomes the primary responsibility of pet parents during this stage. They must ensure preventive care and medical support alongside providing proper nourishment. To know more about the puppy health checklist, read the following.
Maintaining puppy health is the foremost important duty of every pet parent. Consulting a vet, vaccinating, neutering, and availing regular healthcare check-ups are a few duties of puppy caregivers. Similarly, other puppy preventive care includes:
Medical and preventive care is extremely necessary for puppies. Younger puppies are too small to understand what is good or bad for them. Besides, they are also very curious, playful, and energetic during their initial years. This playful and curious nature can sometimes lead to harmful situations.
Puppies often play and munch on random objects, which can sometimes result in toxication. In fact, accidents are also common in puppies as they lack cognitive skills to measure the consequences of their action. Hence, pet parents should pay more attention to their puppy’s growth and development. Some essential puppy health recommendations are as mentioned:
Apart following puppy health checklist, pet parents also need to ensure their fur baby is provided with other basic facilities for their overall growth and development. Training and socializing are as important as providing the best healthcare.
Besides, potty training and command training establishes hygiene and good behavior in them from a young age. To conclude, puppy health, fitness, and training are some of the most essential aspects for the overall growth and development of puppies.
Observe the puppy daily to look for signs of discomfort, illness, and abnormalities. If you notice a major shift in the puppy’s mood or changes in physical attributions, stool, fur, and other attributes, then consult a vet at the earliest. However, if everything looks and feels normal then you have a healthy puppy.
Soft and shiny fur, clean ear, bright eyes, a clear nose, and a playful mood are some essential signs of a healthy puppy.
Diarrhea, vomiting, itching, whimpering, and loss of energy are some signs of a sick puppy.
Parasites, kennel cough, parvovirus, vomiting, and diarrhoea are some common illnesses in puppies.
Have you ever spotted your beloved canine companion nibbling on the lush green blades in the backyard and found yourself pondering the reason behind this seemingly peculiar behaviour? This intriguing habit has fascinated pet owners and experts for generations. In this blog, we will explore the various factors that might drive your furry friend to indulge in this grassy feast, unfolding the mystery behind their seemingly strange dietary preferences and habits.
Dogs have been known to display a liking towards occasionally nibbling on grass. While the exact rationale may differ from one dog to another, several theories attempt to shed light on this behaviour, providing explanations for this habit. Understanding the underlying motivations can provide valuable insights into our furry friends’ dietary preferences. Your dog could be eating grass due to various causes, some of which are listed below.
Some dogs simply relish the taste and texture of grass, which might be due to the change in taste, texture, or smell during different seasons. For them, indulging in a bit of greenery might be akin to us savouring a favourite snack. It may not necessarily serve any particular purpose other than fulfilling a canine craving for something different and intriguing, making it a harmless pastime that satisfies their curious taste buds and offers them a brief moment of sensory delight amid their daily routines.
In certain instances, dogs may resort to grass as a means of alleviating boredom and seeking sensory stimulation. Particularly for those lacking sufficient mental or physical engagement, exploring the various textures and tastes of the outdoors can serve as a form of entertainment, helping to pass the time and provide a temporary distraction from their otherwise monotonous routines. This act of grazing on grass could serve as a form of mental enrichment, offering them a much-needed change of pace and an opportunity to engage their senses.
Dogs, like humans, require a certain amount of fibre in their diets to maintain a healthy digestive system. Since grass is a natural source of fibre, sometimes dogs can eat grass instinctively to aid in digestion, especially if their regular diet lacks adequate fibre content. This act of consuming grass could potentially help them regulate their digestive processes, promoting better overall gut health and ensuring smooth bowel movements, contributing to their overall well-being and physical comfort.
Surprisingly, grass contains certain properties that could aid dogs in purging their system of any potentially harmful intestinal parasites. By inducing vomiting through grass consumption, dogs might instinctively attempt to cleanse their digestive tract, ridding themselves of any unwelcome parasites that could be causing discomfort or distress. This natural mechanism could be a part of their innate self-care routine, serving as a means of maintaining their overall health and well-being while safeguarding them from potential health risks posed by internal parasites.
Keeping a close eye on your dog's grass-eating habits is essential for understanding their overall well-being. Despite common assumptions, the act of consuming grass does not necessarily indicate an underlying illness, with reports suggesting that only about 10% of dogs appear to be unwell before indulging in grass. This emphasises the importance of paying attention to other cues to gauge your pet's health accurately and understand if grass is good for dogs.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that most dogs, approximately 25%, who consume grass do not end up vomiting regularly after grazing. This challenges the conventional notion that grass consumption leads to subsequent vomiting. Some experts propose that this behaviour might aid in digestion or cater to specific nutritional requirements, such as the need for additional dietary fibre, indicating a potentially intuitive dietary mechanism in canines.
However, as mentioned previously, it is plausible that your dog simply relishes the taste or texture of grass, viewing it as a form of sensory stimulation. By closely observing your dog's grass-eating patterns and any accompanying behaviours, you can discern whether this habit is a matter of preference or indicative of underlying health issues that require attention. This vigilance allows for a comprehensive understanding of your pet's dietary preferences and potential nutritional needs.
If you suspect your dog is eating grass out of boredom, it is crucial to ensure it is getting sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. Consider incorporating engaging activities into its routine, such as playing interactive games like fetch or providing it with durable chew toys to keep it occupied and mentally stimulated.
In cases where your dog's grass-eating behaviour stems from a potential nutritional deficiency, transitioning to a higher-quality dog food, particularly one rich in dietary fibre, could help address the underlying issue. Consulting with a veterinarian to determine the most suitable dietary adjustments for your dog is advisable to ensure it receives the necessary nutrients.
While most experts agree that grass consumption itself isn't harmful, it's important to remain mindful of potential hazards. Some lawn treatments, including herbicides and pesticides, can be toxic if ingested. Similarly, several common household and garden plants are toxic to dogs, leading to health complications if consumed alongside grass. Being vigilant about the types of plants and substances your dog has access to will significantly mitigate potential risks associated with their grass-eating behaviour.
