Medical Fact
Preventative Steps to a Healthy and Happy Labrador
1. Labradors are shedding dogs. They need to be brushed 1 or 2 times weekly with a firm brush or currying comb. The short coat is easy to comb but needs to be done regularly. This of course needs to be done outside. This will cut down on the housecleaning and will keep the Lab’s skin clean and healthy. Much of the literature says that a Labrador is a medium shedder. I would argue that this is an underestimate.
3. Keep your Labrador thin. Labradors are great eaters and will eat until they can hold no more food. Do not leave the food out and let them eat when they want to. Automatic feeders were not made for Labradors. To extend their life span they need to be kept thin. Regular exercise and well controlled portions are the rule for a lab.
4. Keep your Labrador off the furniture and keep them from jumping off high objects. One of the most common health issues with Labrador Retrievers are problems with their joints. This may not stop a genetic hip or knee defect but it will stop an overly energetic Labrador from hurting themselves and causing premature arthritis. Also, a herniated disc in the back is not unheard of for a Labrador.
5. Brushing Teeth – This is almost impossible to start with an older dog. Vets will tell you that it is very important to keep dogs teeth clean and free of tartar in order to promote overall health. Puppies will see it as a game and the toothpaste which you can buy at all animal specialty stores will be a treat.
6. Bathing – Some of the Labrador literature tells not to bath a Labrador. My dogs have always been bathed 1-2 times monthly. My dogs love a bath. In fact, I can tell my younger dog that it is time for a bath and she will go sit in the tub and wait on me. Labradors are not smelly dogs like some hound breeds but a bath makes them smell really nice and cuts the shedding in half.
7. Nails – Labradors are extremely sensitive to having their feet touched. Their nails grow long quickly and will scratch hardwood floors and linoleum. If they grow too long they also tend to throw off their stance. Trim their nails often and start doing it when they are very young. Remember to cut off small portions at a time so as not to cut into the quick and cause them to bleed.
8. Keep your Lab’s food and water dishes clean. This may seem like common sense, but some people do not consider this. Dogs like humans are susceptible to germs so keep their dishes as clean as yours.
9. Labradors do well when you leave them on the same food all the time. Once you have found a good quality food that your dog likes do not swap around to different foods. Swapping foods will usually give your Lab diarrhea. If you find it necessary to change foods ( for instance from puppy to adult) do it in steps. Introduce ¼ of the new food mixed with the old food for 3-4 days. If no adverse reaction occurs then go to ½ new food and ½ old food for another 3-4 days. After a week then go completely to the new food.
10.If your dog develops diarrhea or nausea for some reason you need to be very careful. Dogs dehydrate quickly. Take them off dog food and at the same time give them all the water they want. If a dog refuses to take water then they need to make a trip to the vet.
