The
start of a new year is a great time to think about your
dog's changing needs and sort through
a few of your dog’s details to make sure everything
is in order.
Get Set for the New Year
When did you last check that all
your dog’s details are correct and up to date?
The New Year is a great time to do this. If your dog’s
details are held externally, check that all details
logged with the company are correct such as your address
and contact phone numbers. If your dog is microchipped,
don’t forget to make sure those details are also
correct. |
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Check that your dog’s
ID tag complies with the law. All dogs (with some working
dog exemptions) are required to wear a dog identity tag by
law, whether your dog is also microchipped or not. The Control
of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place
must wear a collar with the owner's name, address and postcode
engraved or written on it, or engraved on a dog identity tag.
Your telephone number is optional but advisable. As a house
number and postcode are all that is needed to specify an entire
UK address, it is perfectly acceptable to put just that and
your surname if the dog tag does not have room for your full
address. So check out your dog’s ID tag. Make sure all
the info is on there and still legible. If not, get a new
dog tag
for your pooch.
Go
through your diary for the coming year and make a note of
worming dates. Responsible dog owners must make sure their
dog is regularly wormed. Also note on your calendar other
important dates such as when to do flea and tick treatments,
when vaccinations or titre testing is due and when pet insurances
are up for renewal.
As
a responsible dog owner you must also ensure that your dog
does not stray. Do a yearly inspection of garden gates,
fences and perimeters. Check that everything is intact and
that there are no areas of rot or damage to external fencing
and no potential areas of escape.
Another Year Older
The New Year is also a good time to think about
your pooch and consider that they are another year older.
Think about their age and consider if they need to start
a senior diet or if their daily food and exercise needs
require any adjustments. Also think about any supplements
that an older dog might benefit from.
A food that has suited your dog for
years can become a problem to their system over time. As
another year has passed, a review of their food can be beneficial.
Your dog’s general health, skin condition and poop
will tell you all you need to know. Look out for any signs
of intolerance such as pink or itchy skin or poop that is
a light colour or of a less than solid consistency.
When did your pooch last get a health check at the vet?
Ask your vet to do a general check of their health, weight,
teeth and gums, hearing, eye sight and so on. It is also
a good idea to get your vet to check that they can pick
up a microchip reading from your dog. There are known cases
of microchips migrating, so it is worth having your dog's
microchip scanned at least yearly.
New Year Resolutions
Resolutions can be for your dog as well as for you. Is there
anything you could improve next year or anything you would
like to do in the form of new activities? Think about all
the things your dog needs or loves. Do they get enough walks,
would they benefit from having their teeth cleaned more
often, do you groom them enough, could you teach them a
few more tricks or do other types of training or activities
with them. Don't forget that a mentally stimulated, healthy
dog is a happy dog.
Fireworks
Many of our pets will have to contend with sounds of fireworks
at this time of year. There
are a number of things you can do to make things more bearable
for your dog. Our Surviving
Bonfire Night article
will give you some ideas on how to deal with fireworks.
Enjoy another great year with your pooch
We wish you all a safe, happy and healthy year with your
furry friends. |
