Dog Tips

After surgery your dog needs a calm, controlled environment to heal properly — prepare a quiet indoor space away from children and other pets, ideally a bathroom or utility room for easy cleaning if accidents occur. Prevent licking and chewing of incisions with a comfortable inflatable E-collar instead of traditional plastic cones, which can make eating and drinking difficult. Limit outdoor activity, jumping and rough play until your vet gives the all-clear, and provide an orthopaedic bed for extra joint and spine support during increased rest. Follow wound cleaning instructions precisely, stick to the prescribed diet, and never skip follow-up appointments — even if your dog seems fully recovered.

Regular vet check-ups and stool tests catch internal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, heartworms) early — many infestations show no obvious signs until serious damage occurs. Inspect your dog’s coat, paws, ears and skin after every walk for external parasites (fleas, ticks, mites, flies) — a flea comb and thorough grooming remove them before they multiply or transmit disease. Maintain a consistent parasite prevention schedule — year-round heartworm, flea and tick medication prescribed by your vet protects against both internal and external threats. Keep your dog and their environment clean — regular baths, vacuuming bedding, washing toys and promptly removing faeces reduce exposure to eggs, larvae and adult parasites. Prevent scavenging, raw meat feeding and contact with wild animals or other dogs’ waste — these are common transmission routes for many parasites.

Consider time commitment (work hours), house cleanliness tolerance, puppy-to-adult reality, allergies in household & daily exercise needs. Dogs thrive on routine, companionship & activity – be brutally honest before adopting.

Identify fear triggers & thresholds, praise/reward brave moments, control new-person interactions, avoid forcing exposure. Patience + consistency build confidence.