Are You Considering Getting A Dog? Find Great Tips Here!
Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. Humans and dogs have proven that they are just meant to be side by side, through thick and thin. It is your responsibility to care for your dog. Following are some tips that will help you make sure your dog is healthy and happy.
It can cost a lot to take care of a dog. Good quality dog food and medical care can cost between $700-1000 a year. You should also look into purchasing a good pet health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills.
If you take your dog with you on vacation, keep a photo of him on your phone. This way, if you find out that your dog went missing along the way, you will have a recent picture that you can show to people when you go out to look for you pet.
Get your dog neutered. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.
Fight the urge to feed table scraps to your dog. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Table scraps can negatively affect the dog’s health and cause digestive issues or obesity. Make sure your dog doesn’t hover around your dinner table so it isn’t tempted to eat your food.
Since your dog can’t talk to you, it’s crucial that you listen to their non-verbal language. Hesitant dogs need to be taken out of fearful situations. This might result in another dog or a person being bit. Look for your dog’s non verbal cues and react accordingly.
Talk to your vet about which foods you should be feeding your dog. Certain brands may not be right for a small pup and could cause him to get a stomachache or become sick. Never give your dog any food you are not sure of.
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. Particularly if his feet get wet, extended exposure to extreme temperatures causes stress and can lead to health complications. A roomy shelter that protects from the windy, rainy, and snowy weather is the best option.
Ask the vet about how much the dog should eat each day. Some people refer to the label on the package to determine the quantity of food to feed their dogs, but those guidelines are not always right and using them can cause your dog to become overweight. Ask your vet what the right meal plan is for your dog.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. As soon as your dog is brought to your home you should get an appointment scheduled with the vet. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. In addition, consult your vet about spaying or neutering your dog. The shelters are already overcrowded, so you do not want to make that problem worse.
Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. Many of the cheapest brands contain additives, preservatives and other things that can compromise the health of your dog. Find a list of recommended dog foods from the vet or an advocate for animals. Your dog will be much better off.
If your dog spends a lot of time alone, think seriously about adding a second animal to your family. Dogs like to be around their own kind. Choose another dog whose energy level and temperament matches your dog’s, and you should have a good match.
Real Bone
Do tick and flea inspections on a daily basis with your dog whenever the weather becomes hot. Remove any fleas you find with a specialized comb. Additionally, there are a number of other products and tools that help in controlling fleas and ticks on your dog. Ask your vet what they recommend.
Never give your dog a real bone to chew on. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.
As a responsible dog owner, you’ll want to pay careful attention to your dog’s food and eating habits. Puppies need to eat foods with lots of calories in order to grow. However, it is harmful for a dog to keep eating a high-calorie diet as it approaches adulthood.
Try not to force your dog to eat things. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t make him eat it. Not all dogs like the same things.
During the summer, you need to be careful about leaving your dogs outside. Dogs tend to get overheated easily. In the summertime, be sure they can lay in a cool, shaded area. Make sure the dog has ready access to cool, clean water. Also, dogs can have problems with the sun’s rays, so see if the vet has any sunscreens for dogs.
Daily Brushing
Be firm. Dog owners often feel that it is no big deal to sneak foods to their pets or allow them to destroy certain toys. This can especially be true if the dog is a cute one. By being firm in your actions, you can avoid incidents all together. In this way, your dog will always know what to expect, and you will not be surprised by unacceptable behaviors.
Daily brushing your dog has more benefits that just reducing shedding. Daily brushing helps the coat to stay beautiful and shiny. Brushing helps to spread the oil on the skin which results in soft, shiny, and healthy skin.
Be sure to thoroughly and regularly clean the bowls that your dog uses. Just like for humans, it is not sanitary for your pets to continuously eat from a dirty bowl. Clean the bowl every day and refill with clean water and fresh food.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Exercise and play are necessary for a dog. They keep the dog fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. From a walk to chasing a ball, everything counts. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.
Do not have overly high expectations for your dog. He can’t attend to tasks as long as you are able to. Keep training sessions short, especially at first. This prevents both of you from getting frustrated and keeps the training fun.
Become acquainted with dog food labels and avoid buying based solely on cost. It is vital to give your dog the best quality food. Although the food may cost more, you know that your dog is receiving the correct nutrients from quality food.
Crate training a puppy is a great idea if no one is available during the day to watch him. This can help lessen the damage in the home and assist in housebreaking your dog.
Trimming around the paws of your dog will ensure your dog’s fur doesn’t get matted. Straighten hair with a comb a bit before you trim it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, a professional can always step in to help.
When you buy a puppy, socialize him with dogs as much as possible. Taking your dog to a dog park, on a play date, or to a groomer is a good way for them to socialize with other dogs.
Your job as the human in your human/dog relationship is to take care of your dog’s needs. If you have the right information, this duty becomes easier to carry out. That is where the information you have just read comes in. Use the suggested tips and put them into practice with your new dog.
Don’t let your dog chew on your shoes and other belongings. Teach your dog while he is young what kind of behavior is acceptable. When your puppy is doing things it shouldn’t be doing, get that behavior under control right then and there. Doing this can prevent you from having big troubles down the line.
