The Facts About Labrador Health

Too many times we allowing our quick thinking to take over our typical thought processes and that is sad, as there really needs to be a lot more thought put into whether or not someone should bring a puppy into the home. Too many times, the purchase of a puppy is as impulsive as that candy bar in the check out line. And while there is so much to love about a puppy, a person considering a Labrador needs to really considered everything that is required to make sure that Labrador health is kept as an important priority.

There is a lot more to taking care of a dog besides just putting some dog food and water on the floor. Animals cost a lot of money when they are being cared for properly which means that a lot of dogs simply go without proper Labrador care because their owners were not prepared to handle the financial responsibility that comes with owning a dog. This means that the animal often ends up suffering in the end and even though the owner claims they care for the animal, caring for the dog properly shows true love.

As you begin to consider what all is involved financially when thinking of how to give proper Labrador health, it is a good idea to start making a list. First of all, when you bring home a new dog, whether the dog is older or a young pup, you must make sure that they are up to date on all of their shots. When talking about a puppy that will need all the shots, you are probably looking at a couple hundred dollars to get everything taken care of. And then you have to keep up on the shots throughout the life of the pet.

Then there is the responsibility of neutering or spaying the dog as proper Labrador care means that you are going to make sure that the dog is not going to get pregnant, unless you intend on becoming a breeder. Also, females have a better chance at not getting certain cancers if they are spayed so this is something that is highly recommended by vets. The basic amount for spaying or neutering is about one hundred and fifty dollars and that is just getting the surgery done with the basics covered with nothing optional.

And that all is just to get you started with proper Labrador health, as there is still so much more to it all. There is the daily up keep of the dog as you want to make sure that your pet is comfortable and has toys to play with to keep him or her happy. You also want to make sure that you are giving your pet the best Labrador diet in order to help avoid the pet from getting sick. You will want to make sure that you are giving your pet the best you can in terms of what he or she is eating.

Also, you need to be prepared for those unexpected vet expenses for it the pet gets sick or hurt in any way. Depending on what happens, you could be looking at anywhere from one hundred dollars to several hundred dollars and in some cases, a couple thousand dollars for a very bad illness. There are pet insurance companies out there that for a monthly rate of twenty or thirty dollars can help your pet be covered but keep in mind that they do not cover everything and most things are covered at a percentage.

Brooke Sunderland has spent years with this breed and has learned exactly what is and what is not best when it comes to proper Labrador health. Labrador health is so important yet it is the last thing someone generally mentions when taking about basic Labrador care. Giving your pup the best Labrador diet possible is a great way to get started in making sure that it is provided the best Labrador health.

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Critical Health & Care Information About the Labrador Retriever

Care for Your Labrador Retriever - Feeding, Grooming, Exercise and Potential Health Issues

Also called Labrador or Lab for short, a Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the United States, United Kingdom and also Australia. They are the most popular as family pets, as assistance dogs and as detectives to assist policemen. Their almost insightful intelligence, sociability, keen sense of smell and trainability makes them the best candidate for drug and arms detection at airports and high security areas. The patience that this breed shows also makes them extremely good working dogs with people on wheel chairs or for pet therapy. A trained Labrador is one of the most dependable animals that there can be. They do not have any of the negative traits that some of the other breeds manifest and are free from territorial aggression, destructive nature, insecurity or pampered behavior.

Feeding and Grooming

The Labrador breed is the 'foodie' among dog breeds and they enjoy their food to the fullest. They eat almost anything that is placed before them - ice creams, biscuits, meat, cereal, dog treats and even scraps from the table. This tends to make them extremely susceptible to obesity and therefore a regulated diet is what you should limit the intake to. An overweight Labrador can become extremely lazy and slow. To regulate the quantity of food offered to your Labrador, it is important to note that a 60 pound Labrador requires about four and a half cups of food. The meal should have adequate levels of calcium, especially in the growing phase. This is important due to the heavy bone structure of this breed.

With average levels of shedding on normal days that gets heavier twice a year during the season, Labradors are easy to maintain. Brushing twice a week is required and you might need to use a soft bristle brush. This also activates the skin glands allowing for protective secretions. A bath is required only once a fortnight.

Exercise

Since the Labrador is a heavy eater, adequate exercise is a must for this breed. Swimming and retrieving are a Labradors favorite activities and playing fetch in a large park or the yard are good additional ways to exercise your Lab other than walks. This breed also enjoys the training process and therefore training should be base don rewarding more than punishment. It is important to understand that higher levels of exercise are required only once the dog is six months and older. Excessive exercising for young Lab pups can damage their bones.

Special care and health concerns

The life expectancy of a Lab is between 12 to 13 years.

- Hip or elbow dysplasia - Since the Labrador is a large breed, it is prone to hip or elbow joint dislocation and loosening. In this condition the dog feels uncomfortable while moving and can also experience pain and swelling. The severity of the pain depends on the level of movement, weight of the dog and extent of dislocation. Dysplasia can be treated with prescribed medicine and only in serious cases surgery is prescribed. Some Labradors can also suffer from luxating patella.

- Ear infections - All breeds that have floppy ears that are not cropped, ear infections can eb a major cause of trouble. This is because moist air gets trapped in the outer ear causing mites, fungus or bacterial infections. Prevention is better than cure and such instances can be avoided by cleaning the ear regularly with a cotton swab.

- Obesity - Since Labs are prone to overeating, they tend to gain excessive weight if the intake is not regulated. Obesity can increase the chances of dysplasia and also cause diabetes.

- Gastric troubles - Labradors are extremely prone to fall prey to upset stomachs, vomiting and loose stools from time to time. To maintain good gastric health, it is essential that only high quality commercial brands or home food be given to your pet.

- Swim tail - This is an extremely unique condition that Labradors may face, especially if your dog likes water. The tail basically becomes sore due to overuse and swells up and is akin to a 'tennis elbow'. The tail develops a slight crimp but adequate rest can solve this issue relatively easily.

- Eye conditions - Older Labradors can develop retinal atrophy, cataract, corneal dystrophy and retinal dysplasia.

For more information about Labs including Labrador puppies for sale from reputable breeders please visit Pets4You

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