Because of their considerable size, there can be quite a lot of Newfoundland dog health issues that can arise as the dog gets older. This is quite unfortunate, as this dog can be an excellent family pet. In fact, the Animal Planet has recently cited this dog as possibly being the best dog for families with children. That is because they are a gentle, loving, and loyal breed that can do well in a wide variety of environments. Hip dysplasia, heart problems, and cystinuria are the three most serious health problems the breed may possibly suffer from as they age. And the best way to prevent these problems from occurring is to monitor the health of your dog from the time he is still a puppy and to continue monitoring for the rest of his life.
Keep Newfoundland dog health issues at bay by feeding your dog supplements as soon as he starts ingesting solid food. The best supplements are those containing fish oil, glucosamine chondroitin, calcium, and Ester-C. These supplements are given once each day to help your dog build bones that are strong enough to hold his weight and prevent arthritis and other possible joint problems as he ages. You can continue providing these supplements for the first three years of his life and then again when he is old and starting to succumb to health problems. Of course, it is best to consult your vet as regards supplementation.
The nutritional structure of puppy food is designed in such a way as to help puppies grow. However, a large dog does not really need that much help with growth after a certain point. In fact, rapid growth may be detrimental to the organs and bones of your large dog after a particular age because they can have a difficult time keeping up with the demands of the body. For this reason, and to avoid any serious health complications, most breeders and vets recommend switching to adult food when your dog reaches eight months so he does not outgrow the frame and organs that support his body.
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is also an essential part of preventing Newfoundland dog health problems. All dogs should be kept at a healthy weight throughout their lives, but this is particularly important in a large breed. Just as with people, excess weight can cause heart, liver, and kidney problems in dogs. Bring your dog for a regular check-up with the vet to make sure he maintains an ideal weight.
A Newfie loves water, and his ears are naturally designed to keep water out. Despite this, you should always check and clean his ears on a weekly basis or even more often if your dog swims regularly. You may clean his ears with a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water. This will help keep his ears yeast-free.
Finally, you should always brush the gorgeous coat of your dog. Those coats are especially designed to protest the dog from frigid water. And grooming your dog at least once each week is an excellent way of keeping him healthy in all types of weather. With dogs, a healthy coat is a good sign of a healthy body, and the fish oil that you provide for supplementation will not only help prevent Newfoundland dog health problems, but also add an extra shine to the gorgeous coat of your dog.
Author Resource:
Read More Home Dog Training advice from the nets leading Dog site. Plus learn more about Newfoundland Dog Training when you visit the nets leading independant Dog Training Site
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