Do you feel like your grocery store is lacking in the dog food department? Many people think that they could be taking better care of their furry friends if they knew how. Many dog owners have decided to something about it. Follow the tips presented here to learn how to provide your dog with the kind of responsible care needed for a long and happy canine life.

Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. 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. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.

Neuter or spay your dog. This helps reduce the probability of cancer and extends the life of your dog. Spayed and neutered dogs wander less often as well, so this reduces likelihood of your dog getting hit on the road or lost.

Flea Treatments

Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. Lots of treatments contain things that can be harmful to kids. Talk to your vet to learn about flea treatments that are safer and more family friendly, and always keep flea medication out of reach of children.

Never take your dog away from home without a leash, even if he is well-behaved. A feral animal might catch their attention, causing them to pursue them, or an unplanned incitement might lead to a bad situation with other pet owners. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.

If your dog displays a good behavior, praise it or reward it with a treat. After all, your goal is for your dog to know when it is doing something good. It teaches the dog that he gets praised when he does what you’d like him to do.

If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. Most dog food packages include guidelines but keep in mind that these instructions might not be adapted to your dog. Speak with a vet about your dog’s needs and what they should have.

When you brush your dog every day, you reduce shedding problems and benefit your dog’s health in many ways. It leaves them looking gorgeous, for one thing. This is mainly due to the fact that brushing allows the oils in the skin to be distributed evenly. That keeps the skin soft, shiny, and healthy.

Take some time to trim your dog’s paw beds during every grooming session. This can help prevent mats. A comb is a good tool to straighten the dog’s fur before trimming. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.

Take care any time a female dog is in heat, as you likely do not want her to become pregnant. A male canine might sense her from a distance of five miles. She could also cause fighting among other dogs, along with becoming pregnant with an unwanted litter of unknown origin.

Tag your dog with proper identification to make sure that you can bring him home if he is lost. This is typically a collar with a tag on it. Include your dog’s name and information on how to contact you. It is also possible to get your dog micro-chipped.

Dogs paws can be damaged by walking through areas that are rife with debris and broken glass. If your dog gets a small cut, wash it with an antiseptic and place a bandage around the area. If the cut is deep, check with your vet.

Clean your dog’s food bowls on a daily basis. Just like you, your dog doesn’t want to use food and water bowls that are dirty. Wash bowls daily and fill them up with fresh water and food.

Your dog doesn’t have to eat store-bought dog food. There are plenty of food choices that are available to dog owners, some of which you may not see in your food aisle. Keep these tips in mind for your dog.