Bringing a new Labrador puppy into your home can be a remarkable experience. However, it can also be quite overwhelming. Caring for a Labrador puppy requires the same commitment as raising a human child. However, the rewards are worth the effort. Not only do families love Labrador puppies, but this wonderful breed is also making its mark in many fields as assistance and search and rescue dogs. Labradors are among the most popular family dogs because of their charming, loving personalities. Their specific qualities allow them to thrive in a variety of environments and be used as family pets, service dogs or even hunting dogs.
If you are considering adding this incredible breed to your home but are unsure about how to care for them, don’t fret. HT Lifestyle has reached out to industry experts to provide you with comprehensive guidance. (Also read: Heat wave ahead: Tips for caring for your animal companion during extreme heat ,
The Essential Labrador Care Guide for Pet Parents
“Due to poor breeding practices, Labradors are prone to hip and joint problems. The number of Labradors suffering from hip and joint problems is increasing. It is common to see spondylosis/spondylitis later in life which can cause pain, numbness and paralysis. The PennHip method can help diagnose it at an early stage, and in some dogs, early surgery is also quite helpful. Alternative treatments include Tuina Anamo massage along with acupuncture which gives good results. “Bone stock given for a period of at least 3 months also helps,” says veterinarian Dr Brijeshraj.
Do’s and Don’ts to avoid physical injuries
Since puppies’ growth plates don’t fully attach until they reach full maturity, Dr. Brijeshraj offers a list of dos and don’ts to prevent damage to a Labrador’s hips and joints. But give advice.
1. Allow free play on natural surfaces like soil and grass
2. No agility at all until at least 6 months of age.
3. Proprioception exercises are recommended for balance
4. These obedience position training exercises should be done on a mat.
5. Must be fetched on runner or carpet for traction
6. Puppies should be taught to lie in a stable position
7. Do not encourage the puppy to jump on sofas, beds, tables, etc.
8. Stairs should be avoided
Simple Exercises for Labrador
Manjula Engineer, Trainer and Behaviorist explains simple weight-bearing exercises to help puppies build muscle strength in the hips and hind legs:
1. Start with an inch higher step. This could be a hardcover book, a plastic overturned tray, etc. Coax the puppy to place its front two paws on the ladder. Holding a treat in front of his nose, let him stand there for about 5 seconds. Treat and leave. Repeat 5 times. This puts weight on his hips and hind legs and strengthens them
2. Place the puppy in a standing position holding a treat in front of its nose. With your other hand, firmly lift one paw and hold for 5 seconds. Cycle through all four toes, lifting one at a time.
3. Holding a treat in front of his nose, give the puppy a twist to meet his muzzle. Hold 5 seconds, treat and release. Then repeat on the other side.
4. Sit the puppy and lift his face up to stretch his neck and put weight back on his hips.
5. Teach the puppy to follow me in a figure eight formation.
Diet Tips for a Happy and Healthy Labrador
Anjali Kalachand, on the other hand, offers nutritional and other tips to keep a Labrador happy and healthy. While emphasizing the importance of feeding all dogs a meat-based species-appropriate diet, she particularly highlights its importance for dogs prone to joint issues.
1. Meat protein helps improve connective tissue and build muscles that help support joints.
2. If your dog is prone to joint problems, it is very important to keep him slim so as not to overload the joints with excess weight. This can be more easily achieved through a fresh meat-based diet, because we have control over the ingredients and we can easily avoid the starchy carbohydrates present in processed food.
3. Did you know that certain bones like chicken feet are a rich source of glucosamine and chondroitin? Very often, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are given later in life when dogs are diagnosed with joint problems – feeding a consistent source of glucosamine and chondroitin into your pet’s diet can help prevent having to resort to these supplements. Can. Therefore, feeding raw meaty bones (they also come in dehydrated format) can help naturally boost glucosamine and chondroitin in your pet’s diet, which are essential for joint health.
4. Bone broth is another essential addition to the diet, again it is a rich source of glucosamine, chondroitin, gelatin, hyaluronic acid – all of which are essential for bone and joint health.
5. Joint problems are often associated with swelling and pain. We also recommended feeding foods and adding herbs/spices that have natural anti-inflammatory benefits:
- Golden paste (this is turmeric powder, cooked with water, to which cold pressed coconut oil and black pepper are then added so that the turmeric is more bioavailable and activated to be absorbed by the body)
- Omega 3 fatty acids – feeding fish paste using small fatty fish such as anchovies, sardines and mackerel (on a daily basis) helps to increase the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in the diet – fish oil also contains omega 3 fatty acids A powerful source of – we recommend using both for best results in inflammation reduction and pain relief
- CBD oil helps to a great extent in relieving pain both orally and topically
6. My own dog has recently been diagnosed with mild arthritis in both his hips and over a period of a few months he was having frequent limping problems before we even knew what the problem was – all of the above. Additionally, we also did the following which helped significantly in relieving pain:
- Epsom salt soaks have been proven to help relieve joint and muscle pain (I used ½ teaspoon in 500ml warm water)
- Massage with Topical CBD
- hot compress
