In This Chapter Taking your dog for an annual checkup Neutering your dog Knowing what to look for when choosing a vet Allaying your dog’s fears about trips to the vet’s office Taking advantage of special payment and savings plans Just a few decades ago, to make it to adulthood, puppies had to avoid or…

In This Chapter Keeping a first-aid kit ready in your car and in your home Knowing how to administer CPR to your dog Using basic first-aid techniques to deal with common injuries Knowing what to do if your dog becomes lost Accidents happen to all of us, including our dogs. Although you can take some…

In This Chapter Keeping your dog safe from viruses, bacteria, and parasites Protecting yourself and your family from the bugs that like your dog Scientists know of millions of species of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites — and they discover new ones every day. Although this chapter discusses bugs that are problematic to dogs, most…

In This Chapter Knowing how much protein, carbohydrates, and fats your dog needs Making sure that your dog is getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals Getting an inside look at how your dog’s food is made Checking out organic options Dogs are carnivores — meat eaters. Their teeth are shaped for biting, tearing,…