Dog care
Care
From grooming and dog pregnancy to making sure your pooch is up to date with all their dog vaccinations, there are some simple dog care steps everyone can take to keep your pup happy and healthy.
Read our experts’ top tips on the best ways to look after your dog.
DOG PREGNANCY
“Finding out if your dog is pregnant can be notoriously tricky, even for a vet. Most practitioners rely on physical palpation of the abdomen to feel for swellings, X-ray examination late-term, or ultrasound scanning after four weeks. No method is 100 per cent accurate, either.”
MORE TH>N vet, PetHealthCare.co.uk
“If your dog’s pregnant, you need to get them a whelping box two weeks before the birth is due, and put it in a quiet, draught free area of the house. First-stage labour is characterised by restlessness, a loss of appetite, panting, nesting behaviour and looking at the flank area. This stage may last up to 36 hours. Second-stage labour involves straining and the passage of the pups. Up to three hours may pass between pups, as long as there is no sustained straining from the bitch. Minimal human interference is required, so stand well back!”
MORE TH>N vet, PetHealthCare.co.uk
DOG VACCINATIONS
“Vaccinations may be controversial, but the diseases they prevent are still around and still kill. If you do not know if your pet has been vaccinated, it does not hurt to repeat the course, either.”
Allaboutpets.co.uk
“Why should you vaccinate your dog against canine parvovirus? It may surprise you to learn this disease is still widespread and often fatal – about 15,000 UK dogs are believed to have suffered from it in the last 12 months. The virus is spread in the faeces of infected dogs and survives outdoors for months or even years. Once contracted, there is no specific treatment.”
National Vaccination Month website
DOG GROOMING
“The best way to bath a dog? It depends on its size. Large dogs can often be bathed in the garden using a hosepipe with a spray attachment, but only do this on warm days. Small dogs can be done in the bath or possibly outside in a baby's bath using tepid water. Do not use hot water!”
Julian Peters, practicing vet, Arthur Lodge Veterinary Group
“Why do some dogs hate being bathed? Well, they may have hidden injuries which are aggravated when they are handled. Others may have been abused and are fearful or are just plain dominant! A cheap, easy way to prevent a dog using his teeth on you is to use a plastic Elizabethan collar which are also used to stop dogs biting at an injury.”
Tina Edwards, Bark Busters
“Do not pour or spray water over the the dogs head. Treat the head and eyes very carefully at first as this is normally where the aversion occurs. Never comfort the dog if it appears fearful when being bathed as this will only increase the fear.”
Stan Rawlinson, Dog Listener and founder chairman of the Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers www.doglistener.co.uk
DOG MASSAGE
“Alternative therapies such as massage can help your dog’s physical and mental health and also improve the relationship between you and your pet.”
Lizzie Harrison, Canine Remedial Masseuse with the Institute for Contemporary Animal Therapies.
Find out more about Dog Games to keep your dog fit and healthy
Here at MORE TH>N we understand how important your pet is to you. Why not visit PetHealthCare.co.uk – our pet health and care site. Search the Pet Guide and Frequently Asked Questions section - we have answers to over 1,400 questions and if you can't find the answer you're looking for you can ask one of our experts or try the forum.
