Deworming: Worms not only make the animal loose weight, appetite and thriftiness they also can cause alternating loose motions and constipation. Dewormers can be oral or injectable and need to be given every three months.

Vaccinations: Are the most important. Some are life saving while others can prevent major problems. They are to be administered on a yearly basis in India because of the endemic nature of the diseases here.

Grooming: Is of vital importance as it improves blood circulation, improves coat condition and helps detect skin parasites. Grooming must be done on a daily basis for longhaired dogs and on alternate days for short-coated dogs. Use a Brush for short-coated dogs and a comb for long coated ones. It also includes bathing, which is best done every fortnight for dogs. Nail cutting must be done on a regular basis while the anal glands need to be expressed every three months.

Feeding: Must be in accordance to the season, age, breed and activity of the dog. In summers provide foods that are rich in fluids while in winters more protein is needed. Young dogs and pups as well as older geriatric animals need more protein in comparison to middle-aged animals. Active animals need twice the amount of energy in comparison to sedate ones. An adult dog needs only one major feed a day, while pups need to be fed five times per day. Breeds with pendulous abdomens can be fed two meals instead of one heavy meal.

Housing: Few realize the importance that a good doghouse plays. The flooring in the house must be firm and marble floors will lead to crooked legs. The house must be draft proof and yet have good ventilation. Keeping a dog tied all day not only is cruel but also makes the dog aggressive. A dog kennel must be one and a half times the size of the animal itself.

Exercise: Keeps the dogs mind healthy and also physically fit. In tropical areas like India it must be done in the cooler times of the day and also never after a full meal. Breeds like the Labrador and the Daschund that tend to put on weight need more exercise. Highly active animals like the Doberman and Rottweilers if enclosed in small areas without free exercise will turn vicious. Each breed has a separate requirement of its exercise.

Veterinary care: All dogs should visit the vet at least twice a year for their annual shots and worm medications. Next, geriatric patients need an annual blood and physical examination to rule out any diseases. At our clinic we firmly believe that ?Prevention is better than cure?.