Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Say ‘bye’ to Ring worm

Ringworm can be spread by simple contact, so it's important to know with who your dog is in contact. At the dog park or other heavily trafficked area, it is impossible to know if your dog is coming in contact with ringworm or not. Ringworm survive in dark, damp places, so make sure to regularly clean areas where your dog spends a lot of time. Frequently wash bedding and clean water bowls, especially in outdoor areas. Groom your dog every two to four weeks, more frequently for long-haired breeds. If you handle a strange dog, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your own dog since ringworm can be transmitted between species. Ringworm is more likely to infect puppies or undernourished dog, so providing your dog with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise will help prevent any type of disease. Check your dog food label and make sure the first three ingredients are high-quality protein (not meat by-products). The food should not contain any corn or wheat as dogs cannot digest this. It is cheap filler that provides no nutritional value. A higher value food may cost more, but you can feed less.