Caring for your pet

Pet is an animal that is kept in the home or domesticated as a companion  and treated with love . Animals like cats,parrots,monkeys  and dogs can be kept as pets.

It is established that pet keepers are likely to stay heather and live longer,this is because of the intimacy they enjoy with their pets.

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More importantly, I will be discussing on dog  as a pet. Caring for your pet is important  for his or her health. This should not be taken with carelessness. One of the ways to caring for your dog is to provide drinkable water at all time.

Your dog must be fed not only with balance diet but also with withe water. Drinking of water is essential for your dog’s survival, it si a part of daily requirements for food digestion. Water is one of the components of dog’s healthy living, it keeps body moisturising and active at all time. Without water your dog’s body may not function normally.

The purpose of water is to enable free flow of nutrients in the body  cells. It helps the body to maintain normal temperature and serves as lubricant to all joins in the body.

Generally, your dog’s body needs adequate water supply to function actively.  Shortage of water in the body system can cause illness and dehydration, which may eventually lead to death  in a shot while.

To ensure that your dog does not run out of water, you must provide enough,clean and clear water accessible to your pet,daily. A purified water, that a man can drink must be provided for your dog. Your dog’s bowl must be washed,rinsed,cleaned,filled and refilled with fresh and clean water daily.

Research has shown that dogs  drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. A lot of reasons are responsible for the amount of water  your dog drinks,however, environmental differences is one the reasons, the more your dog exercises,the higher he drinks, this is as a result of serious panting and salivation.

Generally, a healthy dog drinks a lot of water in order to hydrated. However, dogs suffering from illness and pregnant dogs may be dehydrated easily because of loss of appetite.

To know whether your dog is dehydrated, hold a fold of loose skin in the top shoulder blades,pull it up gently and release it . Normally, the skin will return to its place without delay. If the dog is dehydrated, the skin may stay up for a while or return slowly to its place.

Another metto check for dehydration is through the dog’s mouth. If the gums are dry,sticky or pale,it is a sign of dehydration  and illness.  Dehydrated pets always have sunken,dry eye balls and a dry mouth and nose.

If you care abut your dog that is not drinking enough water as expected , visit your vet doctor for proper advice.

Dogs are fond of  dipping legs into their bow ls or turn their water bowl upside down. The wet kennel becomes  untidy  and attracts bacteria with which can cause urinary tract infection and skin irritation  for your dog. Your dog’s food  should be properly stored to prevent formation of bacteria that may lead to infection. Avoid giving your dog uncooked food like raw meat,raw fish an uncooked bone.

Urinary Tract Infection  (UTI) is one of the diseases through which a dog can contract by eating contaminated food,raw food and drinking of dirty water.UTI is defined as an infection  caused by bacteria,fungi and parasite in the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys ureters,bladder  and urethra. This infection is caused by pathogens in the urethra that comes in through  the intestine, it proliferates the bladder. UTI may lead to frequent and bloody urination in your pet. Poor feeding may result into weak immune system, which may open way for UTI.

Signs of UTI are loss of appetite, bloody urination, excessive urination, little quantity of urine at a time,strong offensive urine odour and pain during urination. Ensure to visit your vet immediately these symptoms are detected, so that tests could be conducted for certainty. However, some dog’s are predisposed and could tested positive to UTI, even without clinical symptoms.

As a dog keeper,these are certain first aids treatment that could be given to your dog;

1. Add one teaspoon(for smalldogs)or 1-2 tablespoon (for big dogs) for Apple cider vinegar to you dog’s water bowl. Do it two times daily for ten days,depending on how serious the UTI is. Provide a second bowl water without without apple cider vinegar, in case  may not like the solution.
2. Dip your dog into a moderate hot water for ten minutes, wash your dog’s body and genital area with mild soap and rinse with clean water. This should be done every  five days until The UTI is cured.
3. Crush 500mg of vitamin C and sprinkle it over your dog’s food . Do it once a day for seven days.
4. Encourage your to drink more water by placing two bowls of water,change the water one or twice a day,dogs like to drink fresh water.

During treatment, be vigilant to observe changes in your dog, what works for a dog may be dangerous for the other. Treat your pet as a unique one . I strongly advice to speak to you dog’s vet before you start home treatments.

I recommend that you take these preventive measures to avoid UTI and skin irritation;

1. Provide sufficient dink able water for your dog,the more he drinks ,the more he urinates and the urinary tract is flushed out.
2. Ask your pet for recommended food that can boost the immune system of your dog. Fatty food may increase your dog’s weight unnecessarily, which is unhealthy. It is advisable not to be given to your dog.
3. Created time to take a walk with your dog. This will help your to drink more water,urinates and clean out the bladder. Your pet will remain active.
4. Pace your dog’s food and water bowls firmly on a hanger in the front corner of the kennel to prevent your dog from turning the bowls upside down,the kennel must be constructed in such a way that urine is quickly sink away, clean the feces on time, the kennel  must be well ventilated, wash your hands before and after contact with your  dog.

Your dog’s health is not negotiable.

Johnson Ayadi sent in this piece via kingdraeay@yahoo.com