There are few dogs more beautiful or intelligent than the Border Collie, but they can be hard to care for if you don’t know what you’re doing. Luckily, there are many ways to keep your Border Collie healthy, whether you’re taking care of one or many at once. In order to ensure your dog stays in good health and has a long life, keep reading and learning these 10 tips for keeping your Border Collie healthy!
1) Vaccinate and worm them regularly
If you want to keep your border collie healthy, make sure that they get their vaccinations and worming treatments on a regular basis. This will help them stay healthy and avoid diseases or parasites. Plus, if you have dog insurance, it can provide financial protection in the event of illness or injury.
2) Treat any injuries as soon as possible
It’s important to handle your dog’s injuries as soon as possible, especially if they are severe. You may have a vet treat them or clean them up with peroxide and water. If they’re not improving after a day or two, take your dog back to the vet.
If you don’t have pet insurance (like pet health insurance), it might be worth looking into because without it, vet bills can quickly add up, especially when emergencies arise.
3) Don’t overfeed them
If you want to keep your Border Collie happy and healthy, try not to overfeed them. The best food-to-dog ratio is 1 cup of dog food per 10 pounds of body weight. You should also vary your pet’s diet by including different types of meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains so that they can get the maximum nutritional benefits from their food. For example, dogs need protein so including a little beef or some peanut butter with the wet dog food will be sure to keep them going!
4) Keep them active with dog games like fetch or Frisbee
Bored dogs are more likely to get sick and the mental benefits of playing are a good investment in your dog’s health. Keep your active by investing in an easy-to-carry ball that can be thrown farther than a tennis ball. Keep up on your visits to the vet, including your dog’s vaccinations. Invest in pet insurance to cover everything from shots and injuries to accidents while they’re out exploring the world with you.
5) Find out if there are any genetic health issues in their family tree
In some cases, there may be health issues that run in their family tree. It’s always best to know what you’re potentially dealing with before bringing home a new pup. This way, you can better prepare yourself and your family by getting pet insurance to cover anything that might happen.
6) Get early signs of illness checked out by a vet
Keep an eye out for drooling, weight loss, or a general lack of energy. These are all signs that your dog may be struggling with something that needs medical attention. Keep on top of dental hygiene and cleanings so your pup doesn’t end up with mouth pain. Their vet will always recommend dog insurance to help mitigate the cost of costly treatments or accidents.
7) Give them plenty of space outdoors
Giving your Border Collie plenty of space outdoors is an important way to keep them healthy. They’ll need at least a five-acre yard and a large fenced-in backyard if you’re living in an apartment. But be careful not to let your dog roam too far from home or else they may be subject to being hit by a car or killed by coyotes. Dog insurance can help cover the costs if this does happen.
8) Brush their teeth regularly
One of the easiest ways to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy is to brush them twice a week with an approved human toothpaste. Avoid brands that contain sugar or alcohol, which can cause significant damage to oral health. When selecting a toothbrush for your dog, find one with bristles that are not too hard and ideally shaped like those found on toothbrushes meant for humans. Brush the teeth at a 45 degree angle, focusing on individual teeth until you cover all areas of the mouth.
9) Have regular dental check ups with the vet
It’s easy to forget about our furry friends’ teeth when we brush and floss regularly, but it’s important to remember that dogs have different diets from humans. The food they eat can put a lot of stress on their teeth, so they need more dental care than we do. Schedule regular visits with your vet so that they can monitor your dog’s teeth and make recommendations based on what you’re feeding them. Nurture your fur child!
10) Look after their feet and nails properly
One of the most important ways to keep your pup healthy is by caring for their feet and nails. This should be done regularly with a nail clipper or a set of scissors. Nails need to be trimmed as close to the quick as possible, without making contact with it. When trimming nails, trim each nail individually and don’t forget that the dewclaws need to be trimmed too!