For many people, dogs are just animals that are considered loyal and friendly, but to others, they are more than just typified animals. They are pets, they are friends, and they are considered as family moreover they make an important part of the home. The best way to take care of one’s dog is to ensure its health and keep it in such a manner that its life is extended through good health. Hence, in order to keep your dog healthy, feed it a balanced diet with the right nutrients, exercise it daily and have the veterinarian take a look at it several times a year to prevent diseases and get the required vaccination. There are many dog-lovers in the world, but they are unable to take care of them in the right manner because they lack the knowledge of their dog’s breed. Below are several ways which can be adopted to keep one’s dog healthy and in good shape.
Feeding your dog is one of the simplest ways that will help you ensure your dog is living healthy.
Figure 1
Feeding the dog a nutrient-enriched diet ensures healthy growth and improves the dog’s immunity. “If you feed your dog the commercial food available from the supermarket, you might be threatening its health.” (Lazarus and Pat). Dogs need to be fed proper food consisting of meat and dog food sold by credible companies. Their digestion rate depends on the kind of food they are fed such as rice, having a digestion rate of 72%, being more easily digestible than wheat that has a 60% rate of digestion or corn that has 54%.(Lazarus and Pat). This act also helps to monitor the dog’s weight, and if the dog eats well, it is saved from falling ill. (Thornton and Debra).
The next point is that after feeding the dog, it is crucial that the dog is taken out for exercise.
Figure 2
Exercising like running or playing with the dog helps it to grow tough, strong and remain active. It is said that an active breed of the dog requires about 30 minutes of rigorous exercise in a day. If one cannot do this alone, they need to hire a professional who would do this for them. “Exercise also helps the dog deal with boredom and keeps it agile.” (Thornton and Debra).
The most important aspect is going to the veterinarian. Visiting the vet at least once a year is a must. The vet takes care of the dog, unlike the way an owner could do.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Vets are able to carry out a physical examination, and they can also administer vaccines that help to keep the dog free from disease and prevent them from getting ill. As shown in Figure 3, they notice things that an owner would not be able to, as they conduct a physical exam of the pet. Vets can also offer useful advice on their diet and other matters like hygiene and daily care. (Dahlgaard). “About 90% of dog owners recommended going to the vet that kept their dog healthy.” (Dodman and Lawrence).
So, today I have discussed several issues such as the importance of keeping a healthy diet for your dog. I have also mentioned the importance of exercise for your dog and how it benefits it. Moreover, I have also discussed the importance of taking your dog for a visit to the veterinarian. For keeping your dog healthy, you must feed it a balanced diet, exercise it and have the veterinarian take a look at it several times a year to prevent diseases. Concluding my speech, I recommend to every dog owner, that we need to look after our dogs as if they were our babies because dogs are loyal and loving animals who seek our love and attention.
Work Cited
Dahlgaard, Dondi S. Dogage: How to Keep Your Dog Youthful and Healthy. New York, N.Y: Plume, 2006. Print.
Dodman, Nicholas H, and Lawrence Lindner. Good Old Dog: Expert Advice for Keeping Your Aging Dog Happy, Healthy, and Comfortable. Boston, Mass: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Internet resource.
Thornton, Kim C, and Debra Eldredge. The Everything Dog Health Book: A Complete Guide to Keeping Your Best Friend Healthy from Head to Tail. Avon, Mass: Adams Media, 2005. Print.
Lazarus, Pat, and Pat Lazarus. Keep Your Dog Healthy the Natural Way. New York: Ballantine Pub. Group, 2009. Print.
Speaking Across the Curriculum: Practical Ideas for Incorporating Listening and Speaking into the Classroom. New York: International Debate Education Association, 2004. Print.
