adp_description_block454
How to Track Your Puppy's Health in the First Year

Congratulations! You're the proud owner of a puppy. It's important to take steps now to ensure great puppy health. Louise Murray, DVM, director of the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City and author of Vet Confidential (Ballantine, 2008), offers these pointers for your puppy's first year.

Puppy Health: Preventive Care

Talk to friends to find a veterinarian you can trust. Within a week of bringing your puppy home, take him for a checkup. The doctor will perform a physical and start keeping a detailed medical history.

Puppy Health: Vaccines

The overvaccination of pets is currently a hot topic, Murray says. The question is, however, not whether to vaccinate but which vaccines to use and how often. What she calls the 'core vaccines'—those for parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus type 2, and rabies—are essential. 'These shots protect your dog from diseases that are very real, very common, and very dangerous,' she says. Additional vaccines may be necessary based on where you live, where you take your dog, and whether you travel.

Puppy Health: Diet

Choose a reputable brand of dog food and discuss your choice with your veterinarian. In his first year, your puppy will be on food that is specifically geared toward younger dogs and will likely eat three times a day rather than once or twice.

Puppy Health: Spay/Neuter

An excellent measure against pet overpopulation, this procedure ideally should be performed between ages 4 and 5 months, which is before a female dog goes into her first heat and before a male enters puberty. A female dog who is spayed before going into heat is 2,000 times less likely to get breast cancer, Murray says. Males who are neutered before entering puberty have fewer behavioral issues, such as aggression toward other dogs and urine marking.

Puppy Health: Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medicines

Most dogs should be on medicine year-round to prevent heartworm, a life-threatening parasitic infestation, Murray says. Fleas, often seen as just an annoyance, can actually cause severe skin problems and even anemia. Ticks carry multiple diseases (including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever). Your veterinarian can prescribe effective preventives for these two problems.

adp_related_article_block362 39 YOUR --spice-- MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block362
Why Your Dog Needs Antioxidants

adp_related_article_block362
The Nutrients Your Dog Needs for a Healthy Coat and Skin

adp_related_article_block362
Important Nutrients in Our Dog Foods

How to Take Care of a German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most loved breeds in the world! They're incredibly smart, versatile and learn new behaviors quickly. If that wasn't enough, they're also faithful companions that are very protective of their families.

But before you take the leap and adopt a German Shepherd, there are a few things you must know about looking after one. As is the case with raising a dog of any breed, caring for a German Shepherd needs commitment, patience and understanding.

Here's what it takes to care for a German Shepherd:

a. Exercising German Shepherds
German Shepherds are fantastic creatures in every sense, and it is easy to see why. GSDs are naturally energetic and need dedicated time daily to burn it off. They need at least 60minutes of daily physical exercise such as running and playing fetch in a park. A fit dog is a happy dog and one that is exercised regularly will not be happy, but healthy too.

b. Grooming German Shepherds
Be prepared to keep your vacuum cleaner handy. GSDs have thick coats, making them prone to shedding. Grooming your GSD takes time as well. You will need to give your pet a comb down at least 3 times a week. But you won’t need to bathe your dog too often (unless advised to do so by your vet).

c. Dog Food for German Shepherds
To stay healthy and active, German Shepherds require complete and balanced meals that are tailor-made to meet their unique needs. You could try a premium recipe like IAMS™ Proactive Health™ for Adult German Shepherds, which is specially formulated food for German Shepherds. This recipe is a blend of beet pulp and prebiotics (FOS) that supports healthy digestion, calcium, magnesium and other minerals and vitamins to support a healthy heart, and Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids to support skin and coat health. We recommend dividing their daily intake into two meals.

SIZE OF GERMAN SHEPHERD	RECOMMENDED DAILY FEEDING (g)
20-30 kg	245-330
30-40 kg	330-410
40-50 kg	410-485
50-60 kg	485-555

d. Diseases German Shepherds are Susceptible to
Like most dog breeds, German Shepherds are prone to diseases as well. But here are a few common diseases they are known to suffer from. Hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies, degenerative myelopathy, inherited eye diseases, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, skin and heart disease, and thyroid disease. If you remain dedicated to providing your dog with the right kind of nutrition along with proper exercise, you should be able to keep illness at bay.

Some Facts About German Shepherd Care

German Shepherds are a special breed. They have high energy, are strong and have oodles of stamina. But they also need a lot of attention and activity. If you are away from home frequently or dont have the time to spend exercising or grooming them, then a German Shepherd isn't the right choice for you. So are you ready to start caring for a German Shepherd? Ask yourself these questions before making a decision:

Do I have the time and energy to train my German Shepherd?
Do I have enough space in my home for such a large dog to flourish?
Am I financially stable to care for my GSD if any health issues arise?

If you answer yes to these questions, then you are ready to enjoy an action-packed life with
your furry new friend!

adp_related_article_block356 322 YOUR --spice-- MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block356
Nutrition Basics: Selecting the Right Food For Your Dog

adp_related_article_block356
5 Tips on Caring for a Pug Dog

adp_description_block454 How to Track Your Puppy's Health in the First Year

Puppy Health: Preventive Care

Puppy Health: Vaccines

Puppy Health: Diet

Puppy Health: Spay/Neuter

adp_related_article_block362 39 YOUR --spice-- MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block362Why Your Dog Needs Antioxidants

adp_related_article_block362The Nutrients Your Dog Needs for a Healthy Coat and Skin

adp_related_article_block362Important Nutrients in Our Dog Foods

Here's what it takes to care for a German Shepherd:

Some Facts About German Shepherd Care

adp_related_article_block356 322 YOUR --spice-- MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block356Nutrition Basics: Selecting the Right Food For Your Dog

adp_related_article_block3565 Tips on Caring for a Pug Dog

adp_related_article_block356The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?