Congratulations on your new pet. Together you and your dog will embark on a wonderful journey.

Having a new dog or puppy can be a little overwhelming at the beginning: we are here to help you with any queries and to give advice on puppy training, toilet training, biting behaviour, puppy discipline etc.

There can be so many things to take on board when you get a new dog so Anicare vets have compiled a 9 point checklist to get you started.

Susan Barry, our vet in Palmerstown veterinary hospital, Dublin recently adopted a new dog and used the checklist to ensure Peggy is fit and healthy:

HEALTH AND WELL BEING CHECKLIST:

1. Vet examination- your dog will be examined from nose to tail to ensure they are perfectly healthy.
2. Vaccinations- necessary to prevent your dog from contracting a fatal disease. Boosters need to be given yearly for the rest of the dog’s life. Ensure your dog is also vaccinated against Canine cough- you vet will explain the importance of this.
3. Flea and worm treatment- many products available- always get your products from your vet. Combined flea and worm treatments, which are liquids applied to the back of the neck every month are now very popular. Flea and worm treatments keep your pet healthy and your house and family free of parasites!
4. Microchip and dog license. All dogs must be microchipped- your vet will do this. The dog license can be purchased at your local post office. Dog licenses are renewed yearly.
5. Pet health insurance- highly recommended by all of the vets and vet nurses in Palmerstown, who all have insurance for their own pets:  “it allows you to avail of all of the diagnostics and treatments without the financial constraints” says Paula Sanfey, vet nurse, Palmerstown.
6. Food- try and stick to a dry dog food, no table food, and minimal treats. Feed puppy food to puppies, adult food to adult dogs and low fat food to neutered adults. Our vet hospital receptionist and nurses are trained in pet nutrition and are delighted to advise you on the optimal diet for your new puppy / dog.
7. Neutering- although not done until 6 months of age onwards, it is good to be aware of it and its many health benefits now. Your vet will explain why this is so important.
8. Training and puppy classes. Here at Palmerstown veterinary hospital our vet nurse. Catriona Higgins. runs puppy preschool where puppies up to 18 weeks old and their owners will learn the basic commands, how to socialise with other dogs and people and all about disciplinary procedures! There are various other adult dog training courses around Dublin which we would be happy to recommend

SHOPPING CHECKLIST:

1. Dog bed, something that can be washed in the machine/ wipes clean is ideal- some people like to buy a crate for their puppy to help with the toilet training and confine them at night/ while out.
2. Dog bowls- one for water and one for food
3. Chew toys- puppies love to chew so having plenty of toys (suitable for puppy/ adult dogs) will save your house and belongings!
4. Wipes and disinfectant! – There will be plenty of accidents in the early days while and puppy is being toilet trained/ adult dog is getting used to their new surroundings.

Remember also to dog proof your house. Keep remote controls, phone chargers, electrical cables etc out of reach. You can use a baby gate to confine your dog to certain rooms/ stop them going up or down stairs.

We are always available at Palmerstown veterinary hospital to take a call and answer any queries you have. Just call us on 01 6237044

You can also pick our brains on FACEBOOK!

What is important is that we recognise when our beloved dog is getting old and appreciate the he needs looking after differently.

How you can Help:- 

1.Feed him differently:-

Just like people as dogs age their metabolism slows down so they need less calories. Being overweight is never good but more so for our elderly pets

Older dogs can also become fussy eaters partly because their sense of smell declines with age.

Diets for older pets contain higher levels of antioxidants which help combat the damage to cells by free radicals.

The inclusion of products such as omega 3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin helps with arthritis.

Hill’s Science plan for senior pets which we stock at Clontarf veterinary Hospital is an example of good food for the older dog.

2.     Don’t let him overdo it!

Older dogs need may need more rest, especially if they have joint disease. Little and often is the key so if you’re going on a two-hour hill walk, best leave the dog at home!

If your dog isn’t exercising as much he may need his claws trimming – book an appointment with one of Anicare’s vet nurses for a nail clip.

Older dogs may sleep for longer and sleep more deeply. Don’t be tempted to wake them as if they are startled they may respond with a snap! If they enjoy playing with children in the family that’s great, but make sure children understand not to tease them, and to leave them alone when they need a rest.

3.     Make sure his bedding is comfortable

It’s probably not fair to keep elderly dogs outside as, like us, they become less able to cope with the cold as they age. As they sleep and rest more, it’s important that their bedding is nice and thick to prevent calluses on the elbows and other pressure points. Put your dog’s bed somewhere quiet so he can hide away from the hustle and bustle of family life if he needs to.

4.     Book regular health checks

Some people think that dogs don’t need vaccinating when they reach old age, but this is not the case. It is still important to give them an annual booster, especially as immunity can be weaker in elderly animals. It’s also still important to treat them for fleas and worms regularly.

The annual health check becomes more and more important as your dog ages. In fact, we at Clontarf Veterinary Hospital recommend stepping it up to every six months as your dog gets older as the sooner diseases are picked up, the better.

5. What to watch for:-

1. Increased drinking
2. Joint stiffness, reluctance to exercise, creaky joints or leg weakness
3. Poor appetite
4.  Confusion, walking into furniture.
5. Cloudy eyes
6.   Lumps and bumps
7.  Any other unusual  signs

6.     Keep him groomed

Because the quality of hair decreases and it becomes more important for him to groom himself, it’s more important to brush your dog regularly as he gets older. Use a soft brush so you don’t hurt him if brushing over sore joints. Matted coat may need to be clipped – your vet practice or groomer can help you with this.

7.     Be patient!

As your dog gets older he may start to go deaf and blind, find it more difficult to move around, and suffer bouts of confusion. Occasionally he may have toileting accidents. It’s really not his fault so do not chastise him for these. Remember whatever the problem with your pet it’s always worth checking with your vet to see if it can be treated – I have in the past been asked to put bitches down because they have started to leak urine, with the owner not realising that this is something that can usually be treated quite easily with regular medication.

For the Month of APRIL  Anicare’s  Clontarf Veterinary Hospital is offering  FREE   Vet Nurse Senior Dog Health Checks.

To watch a video of our Qualified Veterinary Nurse – Maeve Deady  giving senior dog health check  - just click on the link below.

Senior Dog Health Checks

Free check ups are subject to appointment availability so call us now to make an appointment for your dog.

 Should you have any queries on this or any other topic call Clontarf veterinary Hospital on

01 8330744

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital – Where We Put the Care of Your Pet First – ALWAYS.

We have all heard the stories on television and in the papers about dogs attacking children when left unsupervised. Here are a few tips to help keep them both safe from each other.

Anyone who has had to introduce a new baby to the family dog has probably gone through steps such as playing baby sounds and bringing home a blanket from the hospital for the dog to sniff a however, it’s not the same as physically having a child & a dog together so always remember the following:

• Children & dogs should never ever be left unattended no matter how well behaved they are.

• If you are getting a dog for the children, the children must be old enough and strong enough to manage it. Think very carefully about the dog you choose, you want to have this dog for its entire lifetime. So do your research!

• Teach your children that the dog is not a toy. Small children and puppies do not know how to behave around each other, therefore they need to be taught how to play safely with each other. The children might pull the puppies tail and in return the puppy might nip at the child.

• It may be helpful to teach the children some responsibility for the dog by getting the children to carry out the daily ‘poop-scoop’.

• Visiting children must be supervised at all times too. Your dog may not tolerate unwanted attention from children it is unfamiliar with.

• Teach your child how to pet a dog. Dogs should only be stroked from collar to tail. Do not allow children to pet an unknown dog. Dogs don’t necessarily like to be petted on the head – this can make them feel worried.

• Learn to ‘Speak Dog’ – teach your children how to interpret your dogs facial/body expressions.

• Children should also be taught not to scream, wave arms and run around wildly with dogs as this may incite the dog to jump up and bite. See the ‘Be Like a Tree’ picture below.

• Education is the key for a successful, long and happy relationship between dogs and children.

If you have any queries about your dog please do not hesitate to contact our Anicare branches in Palmerstown, Blanchardstown, Glasnevin, Clontarf and Santry and we can advise you.