Ways To Keep Your Puppy Healthy, In and Out of Stockton

Vet Bills Can Be Expensive, Regardless of the Cause. 

Here are some simple and effective ways to reduce the cost of owning a dog without compromising your pet's health! Using these vet recommended tips will save you cash and ensure your mutts health, even if you can't afford regular trips to the vet!

1. Be aware of what your puppy eats!


• If you need a cheap, but healthy alternative for food, try the Cost-Co brand of Dog/Puppy Formula.
• Costing roughly $35 / 40lb, it is reasonably priced.  
•  Kirkland Dry food is rated 4.5/5 stars by leading experts and my own veterinarian personally recommended it for us. She said that it is one of the best dog foods and comes at a reasonable price!
• Better still, the food is actually GOOD for your dog, unlike many other cheap dog foods (i.e. Pedigree and Purina which only rate 1 star).
• Don't take my word for it, check out these great reviews and learn for yourself at DogFoodAdvisor.com.
• Prevent your dog from eating harmful treats and foods by keeping up with recalls Here. 
• Consumption of a recalled product can make your dog really sick, or even kill your family pet. 
• Puppies, young or old, eat all sorts of things.
• Eating squeakers or rope-toys can be deadly and expensive! Watch these types of toys around your dog, especially if he or she likes to tear toys apart! 
2. Get to know your puppy's body!
• You should familiarize yourself with you dog's body starting the first day you bring it home! This is important because detection of lumps or other problems can help you contain problems before they get out of hand, minimizing the damage to your dog and your wallet. 

• Lumps can sometimes be related to disease or cancer, so it is important to know immediately once one has developed and to seek treatment ASAP! 
• Lumps on the belly can indicate a hernia.
• Thoroughly check your puppies nodes! 
• This can be done my routinely massaging your dog's throat, the area directly in front of and behind both sets of your dog's legs, and your mutt's butt. 
• The nodes can become impacted and infected, leading to pain and a distinctive smell that won't disappear with a bath. If your dog is rubbing his or her butt on the ground frequently, it could be a sign that a problem is beginning. 
• Check out THIS SITE for information about your dog's glands, as well as other pet grooming tips. 
• Look at the BEHIND! 

• If there is a patch of fur missing on the underside of your dog's tail, it can be an indication of worms, which can lead to heart and other health problems. 
• Instead of going to the vet for treatment, go to your local pet store!
• $15 worm treatment pills can be purchased for your dog according to its weight. Buying these over the counter solutions is cheaper and just as effective. Additionally, directions are included for how frequently you should treat your animal. Think of it as similar to how you treat your dog for fleas!
• Mange
• While not contagious to other dogs, it can be expensive to treat. Most commonly mange begins at the base of the tail, under the arm pits, and behind the ears. 
• If you see areas of hair-loss or redness, seek treatment! Mange is especially common in Stockton! 
3. Pay attention to your dog's normal behavior and physique!
• Dry noses, bloated tummies, lasting weakness & tiredness, excessive water consumption, diarrhea, & vomiting are all signs of trouble! 
• If you notice any of these symptoms, seek Veterinary care! 
4. Especially if you walk along the delta & levees of Stockton, taking care of your dog's paws is important!

• In summer, grass seeds, burrs, thorns, and more can end up tangled in your dog's fur or paws, and it is extremely painful! If not treated immediately, infection can set in and damage can be made permanent! 
• Try diydoggrooming.com for tips on how to treat these nasty spring & summer nuisances. 
• Proper nail care is also important! Broken nails are painful and overgrown nails cause problems of their own!
• Check out the SPCA's tips on nail care solutions at home or go to PetSmart to have your family pet bathed, receive a nail trim, and the whole package! They even have a special going through 3/20/14. 
• Watch the Stockton Heat! 
• Walking on hot cement can cause painful blisters that can get infected!
• Rather than paying for treatment, walk in the early morning or late afternoon once the cement and roads have cooled down.
• If you insist on walking in the heat of the day, try using paw protection. Ultra Paws cost about $30 and are a good option.