Care guide for your adult dog

So you made it through the puppy stage, congratulations! Now your dog is officially an adult, you will be wanting to maintain their health to ensure they go into their 'senior' years as healthy as they can possibly be. Depending on the size of your dog, adulthood is reached at different ages. An extra small breed will reach adulthood at roughly 8 months whereas a giant breed will be 18 to 24 months before no longer being a puppy.

Feeding

Your adult dog needs a certain amount of phosphorus, sodium, protein and energy in their diet. There are a range of wet foods, dry foods, high meat diets and NZ made foods that may suit your dog. Different sized breeds have different nutritional needs, so do make sure you are buying the correct food for your dog's size.

Proper nutrition will also help with issues such as bad breath, sensitive skin or a sensitive stomach. Certain breeds such as labradors, cocker spaniels and beagles can be prone to obesity, and this is something important to keep in mind when choosing a food. Weight management foods are available. If you have a purebred, you may choose a breed specific diet.

Kidney health is a common concern in adult dogs. Dietary phosphorus, protein and salt excesses can exacerbate the progression of kidney damage. Foods with an excess of these should be avoided.

Health

It is important to flea and worm your adult dog all year round. Some flea treatments need to be applied to your dog monthly whereas some products such as Bravecto provide your dog with 3 months of protection against fleas and ticks. You may also prefer to use a flea collar for your dog.

Products such as NexGard Spectra provide a 1 month protection against fleas, ticks AND intestinal worms. If using a worming tablet such as Drontal, your dog will require treatment every 3 months. Make sure you buy the correct dosage for your dog's weight.

Toys and Enrichment

Enrichment and mental stimulation are one of the most important things you can give to your dog at any age. It can help with destructive behaviour, boredom, attention seeking behaviour and excessive barking.

Toys such as the KONG wobbler provide active enrichment for your dog as it encourages your dog to move the toy around to get a treat out from inside. The KONG classic promote passive enrichment by encouraging stillness in your dog. Putting treats such as peanut butter inside can be a great way to distract your dog or get them to stay in one place for a while. You can also freeze these for longer lasting enrichment.

Use their meal time as enrichment time. Why not do a scavenger hunt at dinner time instead of just feeding them out of their bowl? Read about the benefits here. You can also use slow feeders for enrichment feeding.

Got a smart pooch? Try a puzzle toy. This requires your dog to solve certain puzzles in order to get to the treat inside. There are different levels of difficulty to keep things interesting!

Sleeping

A bed is so important for your adult dog as it not only provides a comfy place for them to sleep but it also gives them a space that is just there own. You may choose a crate, a soft bed or a mattress. While most dogs do like to socialise for the most part of the day, they do still need alone time. Their bed will give them a dedicated space to go and play with their toys alone, rest their head, or just relax and watch the world go by. It may be their ‘safe space’ if they are frightened. Having a dog bed will also keep them off your bed or couch and preserve the furniture.

Grooming

Bathing your dog is an important part of general care. If your dog has healthy skin and a healthy coat, the most common reason to give your dog a bath would be to move any unwanted smells and odour. Choose a dog specific shampoo such as WashBar or, if your dog has a wooly or curly coat, Yours Droolly Oodles Shampoo. There are also specific shampoos for sensitive skin.

Brushing your dog frequently will help to remove any loose coat, dust, dander and knots in long haired dogs. For a smooth coat dog, a soft bristled brush or glove is better, and a rake or deshedding tool for a long coated dog.

On average, a dog will need their nails clipped every 1-2 months or when you can hear their nails clicking on the floor when they walk. Make sure you use a dog specific nail trimmer. Read our full guide on clipping your dog’s nails here.

Dental Health

Plaque can build up on canine teeth and over time, a build-up of plaque can lead to a painful inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis may have red, inflamed gums that bleed easily, and you may also notice bad breath. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. There are several ways you can avoid any doggy dental problems find out more here.

Just like with your own teeth, it is important to brush your dog’s teeth. Make sure you use a dog specific toothpaste and a soft brush. Most experts agree that daily brushing is ideal, but if that's unrealistic, aim for three to four times per week. And don't be an overachiever - if your pup's patience only lasts for you to brush half his teeth today and the other half tomorrow, that's fine. Just remember which half you did each day!

Dental treats are another great way to aid your dog’s dental health. Chew toys can also help keep their teeth clean by scraping away any plaque and dirt. Try to avoid toys that are too hard as this can cause dental fracture.

If you have any questions about keeping your adult dog's health in check, don't hesitate to reach out to one of Pet Direct's Customer Service Experts on 0800 200 240.

Shop Dog