No More Unhealthy Treats

Whether you’re teaching your dog and want to reward excellent behaviour or preparing for a long vacation away from home, it’s tempting to give in to your dog’s every whim. While it’s perfectly OK to give your dog snacks every now and then, you should only give them goodies that are safe for dogs to consume. Miniature pieces of fresh produce, dental chews, or speciality meat sticks are all great options for treats for dogs.

5 Easy Ways to Help Keep Your Dog Fit: A Strict Dog’s Dinner

Unfortunately, our four-legged buddies do not fit the definition of “sharing is caring.” As important as it is for you to eat your dinner, your dog needs to know that it is distinct from yours. Everyone in the household has to be aware that feeding your dog leftovers is hazardous for its health because it may lead to weight gain and behavioural problems.

More Playtime, More Exercise

You and Fido will both benefit from this one! Your dog will lose weight more quickly if you exercise more, and you will benefit from it as well. Make an effort to walk for longer periods of time or add an additional stroll to your regular schedule. You should team up with a buddy who also has a dog so you can divide and conquer the daily walk duty. The best way to get everyone in the family moving is to get them outdoors and play with your dog often.

Think Portion Control

Rather than giving in to its desires, make sure your dog is getting the food it needs. Find out how many calories your dog requires each day by seeing a vet or looking it up online; then, prepare meals accordingly. As a first step in helping your dog lose weight, try reducing servings by 20–30%. Just make sure your pet is still receiving all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Monitor Your Dog’s Progress

No matter how little you perceive your dog’s weight to be right now, it’s still wise to monitor its progress. Even after your dog’s weight reduction plan has ended, it’s a good idea to check in on his or her health by checking his or her weight once a month. At Port Kennedy Vets, we offer a free weight loss clinic for our clients where you can work with your vet to make sure your dog stays in top physical condition throughout its life.

To arrange a visit to one of our free weight loss clinics, call the Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital team today on 08 6555 5149 or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.

Pet Dental Health Guide: Keeping your pet’s teeth and gums healthy is an important, but sometimes neglected, part of pet care. Most of us probably don’t give much thought to how to keep our four-legged companions’ teeth clean, even if we wash and floss every day.

The need for regular dental checkups for animals is comparable to that of people. Among the frequent health issues that dogs face, dental illness ranks highly. When your cat doesn’t get enough dental care, it may affect their mood, health, and behaviour. Poor mouth shape also contributes to poor oral hygiene.

How can you ensure that your pet’s teeth and gums are always in the best possible shape? Let’s have a look at some tips.

Healthy Food for Healthy Teeth and Gums

The foods that pets eat have a significant impact on their oral health. For example, when pets chew and gnaw on certain foods, it helps to eliminate tartar and plaque from their teeth. Modern dental diets for pets are just as beneficial as giving them a regular brushing.

If you want to help your cat or dog keep their teeth healthy, see your vet about developing a special diet.

Check for Signs of Poor Oral Health

Check for changes or damage to your pet’s teeth on a regular basis by visually inspecting them. The accumulation of germs in plaque is the first cause of oral health problems, such as tartar formation and tooth decay.

If you see any yellowing, browning, or holes in your pet’s teeth, it might be a sign of tartar or decay. The following are some indicators of poor dental hygiene that might eventually cause problems:

Bad breath
Difficulty eating or chewing
Loose teeth or teeth falling out
Bleeding gums
Increased dribbling/drooling
Pawing at the mouth as though painful

The oral health of your pet depends on your quick response to these warning signals. Because issues with the teeth may spread to other parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, and liver, you will be doing them a favour by assisting their general health.

Regular Check Ups and Preventative Healthcare

Veterinarians practice preventative medicine by stressing the need for regular checkups, vaccines, dental treatment, and proper diet for the long-term health of pets. As a result, pet owners may avoid spending a fortune on costly emergency treatments, surgeries, and dental care.

If you take your pet to the doctor regularly, the vet will be able to monitor his or her mouth, teeth, and gums for any changes that might indicate an issue. You may save money in the long run while improving the comfort and health of your cats and dogs in the short term by treating them sooner rather than later.

Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital offers a range of affordable wellness packages that provide regular preventative care for the health of your cat and/or dog, including dental checks. For additional details or to schedule an appointment, get in touch with the veterinary staff.