If you can remember the 5 principals listed below and manage them, your pup will be in really good hands. We work to make sure our needs are taken care of and met. So why would we not do the same thing for our dog? They're relying on us to do this for them since they're unable to do it for themselves.
1. Help Them Maintain Their Proper Weight
Managing your German Shepherd's weight is the first step to keeping him healthy. You can do this multiple ways. First, take him on a daily walk. Depending on his size and/or energy level, you may need to go on a longer walk or possibly more than one walk per day. If you have to run outside to get the mail, or take the trash cans to the curb, bring your dog with you. Every moment of extra exercise counts.
You should also play with your pooch regularly and give him toys that will challenge his mind. If you manage his weight he'll stay healthy and active and furthermore will learn to look forward to a scheduled routine of exercise.
2. Take Care of Their Teeth
You brush your teeth every day. Why? Because it's important to your oral hygiene. If this is something you do for yourself, you should seriously consider the health benefits of doing it for your pooch as well. Even though this can be a challenging feat, you should aim to create a daily habit to brush your dogs teeth.
If you didn't create a regular schedule of brushing your pup's teeth from early on in his puppy-hood, it's not too late to start now. You'll have to ease him into it slowly, but if you're patient and gradually work up to brushing his teeth regularly his teeth should become plaque free. To get this habit going you can buy doggy toothpaste, a toothbrush, and other teeth cleaning supplies at your local pet store.
Remember — it's important to keep your pup's teeth clean to prevent disease and illness in the future.
3. Provide a nutritionally balanced diet
What are you feeding your dog? Take the time to research your current dog food and find out exactly what's in the kibble you're feeding your pooch. Sadly, it may or may not be healthy.
Recently over 2000 dog food brands were reviewed, and only 121 were deemed “healthy” according to the researchers who performed the testing. By doing your own research you can discover which dog foods are the best for your pup based on his breed, size, and temperament. Carefully choose a quality food brand, as a nutritionally balanced diet will help him in more ways than one.
4. Get regular vet check-ups
Taking your German Shepherd to the vet regularly is another important tip to ensure that your fur friend has a long life ahead of the. Make sure he has his annual checkup and stays current on his shots. Getting him the necessary shots will prevent illnesses from taking place, especially if he likes to run and play outdoors. If you notice a change in his behavior or see something in your pooch that strikes you as strange, don't delay taking him to the vet — they'll be able to help!
5. Treat Them For fleas and Ticks
It's inevitable that you'll encounter a flea or two throughout the course of your dog's life, so you either need to give them a monthly treatment that will keep these pesky bugs at bay or apply a treatment right away if you spot any. The same goes for ticks: there are oral pills available that you can get from your vet, shampoos, medicated collars, and more that'll help you get rid of fleas or ticks.
Even though he can't vocalize his appreciation except through a bark, providing him with a long and healthy life is all he wants. Take the time to research on how you can keep your German Shepherd youthful and healthy and you'll enjoy every single moment with your best friend.
