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3 common things vet would never do with his dog to avoid illness and injury Credits: Social Media
By Ellissa Bain

3 common things vet would never do with his dog to avoid illness and injury

By Ellissa Bain

How you choose to raise and care for your dog is a very individual thing, but vets are the best people to go to for guidance.

One veterinarian has warned against some common activities which he recommends avoiding to keep your dog healthy.

Close-up portrait of Pitbull dog with sadness expression at home indoors
Horizontal cropped view of American Stanford dog depressed resting under yellow winter blanket. Credit: Vera Vita (Getty Images)

3 things vet would never do with his dog

“Three things I would not do with my pet because I’m a veterinarian,” Dr. Hunter Finn said.

1. Visit dog parks

First up, he would never visit a dog park. It may seem like a great idea to exercise your dog in an enclosed area where they can play with other breeds, but the risk of infectious diseases like kennel cough cases and parasites is really high due to the huge number of dogs that visit the area. Plus, you run the risk of altercations with other pets.

2. Give them hard things to chew on

The vet would never give his dog any treats that are too hard to chew on either, as they can wear down tooth enamel and break the teeth. A good way to test whether a treat is too hard is by trying to make an indent with your fingernail. If you can make an indent, it’s safe for your pooch. Not being able to see the mark means it’s probably too tough.

3. Let them keep really old toys

Finally, Finn would never let a dog keep a toy beyond its lifespan. As soon as you see a tear or notice that the squeaker has come out, it’s time to throw that whole toy in the trash because the risk of injury is too high. Your dog can swallow small pieces which often requires a foreign body surgery to extract it from the digestive system.

@dr.hunterfinn

Anytime I give tips like these is ruffled some feathers. What’s right for me and my pets may not be right for you but I can’t tell you how many kennel cough cases, parasite cases, and lacerations I have to repair from dog park visits. I literally remove more healthy teeth from chewing on hard things than I remove diseased teeth from lack of dental care. It’s very saddening to me. Dogs eat things. They do it when you aren’t home and they do it right in front of you sometimes. Sometimes they throw it up or poop it out but sometimes they don’t and it gets stuck and they need surgery. Reduce that risk by throwing out the toys that are becoming shredded and broken. What else should be on the list? #drfinn #doglover #dogmom #dogsofinstagram #dogsofchewy #petmethod #petmethodveterinary #mckinneytx #friscotx

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10 important steps to keep your dog healthy

As a pet owner, your one job is to keep your dog happy and healthy, which you can do by following 10 key steps outlined by The Kennel Club.

  1. Feed them well: Give your dog a healthy diet high in protein in fiber to keep them fit and strong and reduce the risk of disease. Make sure you’re not overfeeding and limit treats to keep your pet at a healthy weight.
  2. Keep them fit: Regularly exercise your dog to prevent weight gain, strengthen muscles and bones, burn calories and limit digestive problems while reducing boredom and stress. Letting your dog get overweight can shorten their lifespan and cause health problems.
  3. Brush their teeth: Brushing your dog’s teeth is really important as gum disease and tooth decay are some of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet.�Feeding good quality dog food will also help prevent plaque from forming.
  4. Clean their ears: Ear infections are another common health problem in dogs, so it’s a good idea to regularly clean them. Do this by massaging the base of their ears for around 20 seconds to soften and release any material. Then, wipe with a cotton ball or wet wipe.
  5. Keep them safe: It’s your duty to keep your dog safe, preventing them from harm and injury. Dog-proof your house, make sure your backyard is secure and keep any dangerous foods, cleaning products and medicines out of reach.
  6. Get them vaccinated: Keeping up to date with your dog’s vaccinations is a great way to keep your dog safe from infectious diseases like distemper, hepatitis,�parvovirus and leptospirosis which can be life-threatening.�
  7. Prevent and treat parasites: Dogs easily pick up ticks, fleas and worms, so regularly give your pet preventative parasite treatments. Always check your furry friend for signs of ticks after walking and watch out for worms in their faeces.
  8. Consider neutering: Choosing whether to have your dog neutered is a personal decision, but it can have many health benefits. In females, it can prevent a life-threatening womb infection known as pyometra, while neutered males are less likely to develop prostate issues.
  9. Groom them regularly: All dogs should be kept well groomed, including washing, brushing, trimming fur and nail clipping. This will keep the coat healthy, prevent matting and make it easier to spot fleas and ticks.
  10. Check-ups with the vet: Finally, ensure to schedule appointments with your vet at least once a year to check your dog’s overall health, chat about any worries and look for any symptoms that could be concerning.

Dr. Hunter Finn is a qualified veterinarian who owns Pet Method, a vet practice in McKinney, Texas. He graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.