Just for Kids: Keeping Your Dog Healthy

Now that you have a dog, it's up to you to keep him healthy. When your dog is healthy, he has a nice shiny coat, strong white teeth, strong bones, and a lot of energy. This means you will have to provide good food, keep him clean, and take him to the veterinarian. Here's what you will have to do:

Grooming

• Brushing his coat. Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting. Because it stimulates the blood supply to the skin, grooming also gives your pet a healthier and shinier coat. Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his routine. See How to Groom Your Dog.
• Bathing. Some dogs need baths more often than others. If your dog likes to play outside he may need frequent baths. Just make sure you don't bathe him too much because that might remove oil from his coat and make his skin dry. Once a month might be enough. You can ask your veterinarian when you should bathe your dog. See Bathing Your Dog.
• Teeth care. You will have to brush your dog's teeth, give him some of the right kind of chew toys to help remove plaque, and have his teeth checked by your veterinarian. See Caring for Your Dog's Teeth.

Exercise

Exercise is not only fun, but it keeps your pet healthy, too. Your dog will sleep better, have more energy, and have good, strong bones and muscles. See Exercising Your Dog.

Proper Diet

Feeding your dog the right way is very important to keep him healthy. Dogs love to eat, so you have to make sure that what you feed him is the best for your pet. Your veterinarian can help you decide what type and how much food to feed him. See Feeding Your Dog.

Routine Check-ups

You should take your dog to the veterinarian once a year for a yearly check-up. Your veterinarian will give your puppy a physical examination much like you get when you visit the doctor. See Taking Your Dog to the Veterinarian.

Training

You should start training your dog soon after you get him. It is important that he learns good manners. Even a new puppy can learn to sit and stay. When your dog learns how to sit and stay, he will behave better all of the time. See Teaching Your Dog to Sit and Stay.