Tips To Properly Care For Your Dog

Having a dog as a pet provides you with loyalty, affection and love. Dogs are great family companions and also companions of people that live alone. Continue on for some excellent tips about understanding how to properly care for your dog.

Since dogs cannot talk, you need to learn your dog’s cues. Hesitant dogs need to be taken out of fearful situations. This may cause a human or the other canine to get bit. Take heed of these non-verbal cues, and act accordingly.

It can be quite costly to own a dog. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. Health insurance for your pet can be a great idea to help you in emergency situations.

Whenever you bring your dog along on vacations, take a quick snapshot of him and keep it on your phone. That way, if he happens to get separated from the family, you have an up-to-date picture of him that is easily accessible for showing people or can be downloaded for printing up “lost” flyers.

Be sure your house is dog-proofed. Prior to bringing the pooch home, check that the whole home is safe. Do not have any pills out in the open and put all supplies in cabinets. Many common household plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog or get rid of them.

Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. This will make him want human food every time you have a meal. Table scraps can also be unhealthy and lead to excess weight and digestive problems. Put your dog in another room while the family eats, and do not allow him to reenter the dining space until dinner is done.

It is fine to hug your dog, but avoid those wet kisses. Your dog’s mouth is fairly dirty at any given time. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is completely wrong!

Ask your vet what kinds of foods you should feed to your dog and what to stay away from. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Be safe when taking care of your dog.

Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. Since your dog does not speak the human language, he simply cannot tell you if his tooth aches or his arthritis is making it difficult for him to walk. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.

It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. Do not buy a dog that is lazy if you are very active. On the other hand, a cuddly small dog may be perfect for those who enjoy a quiet evening reading on the couch. You will be much happier when you make a choice that is complementary to your lifestyle.

When vacationing with your dog, use the camera on your phone to snap a quick picture. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print “lost” flyers.

If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.

Talk to your vet about how much your dog should eat. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. Your vet should be able to let you know what your dog’s specific needs are.

Try not to force your dog to eat things. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. Find out your dog’s likes and dislikes and feed him accordingly.

Don’t buy cheap dog food. 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 is going to be healthier if he eats better.

Whenever you adopt from the pound, take the dog straight to the vet. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to viruses or might already be sick. Error on the side of caution and get your dog all its shots.

Daily brushing for your dog does more than simply prevent shedding. Brushing your pup daily will help make their coat shiny. Brushing distributes the natural oils of the skin throughout the hair coat for added sheen and softness.

When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. Your vet will provide a full check up and establish vaccination dates. Talk with a vet about your dog being spayed or neutered. There are lots of homeless dogs and you don’t want to make the problem worse.

Make sure your let your dog know you love him. Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. This could lead to trouble down the line. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. When you do this, you will probably end up with a better behaved dog.

Make sure that your dog is not left alone outdoors all day. A lot of people allow this, but dogs are social creatures that need other beings. A dog with no companions can feel very isolated and stressed out if he is left alone outside. Plan on bringing your dog inside when the weather is rainy, snowy, very hot, or very cold.

If you have one dog that seems lonely or is by himself often, consider another dog. Dogs are known to be pack animals and enjoy the company of other dogs. By choosing another dog that matches your pup’s energy level and temperament, you’ll ensure that your dogs will be great companions for each other.

You may need to trim hair that grows near the dog’s paws to help keep it from matting. Use a comb first, then start cutting. You can always use a dog groomer if you find the process difficult.

Always make an annual checkup appointment for your dog. The vet can detect things like diabetes, thyroid problems and kidney issues long before you see the signs of them. An annual check-up for your pet can help to avoid future expense and needless suffering for your dog.

If you have just one dog who spends lots of time alone, consider getting a buddy dog. Dogs generally like to have companions that are dogs. Match them up carefully by temperament and energy levels and your dog should be in canine heaven!

Taking care of a dog can be complicated. It is more than just providing food and walking your dog occasionally. You need to be aware of how to properly look after your dog. If you do, you will have a happy, healthy dog for many years to come.

Annual vet check-ups are important. Vets can do early screening for thyroid issues, diabetes and kidney problems before your dog has symptoms. Yearly physical exams can save money down the line and save the dog from suffering unnecessarily.