If you take care of your dog, you will enjoy him more. The secret to keeping your dog in good spirits and good health is to educate yourself about what your pet needs. In this article, you’ll find excellent advice that will help you and your pet live in harmony.
It can be quite costly to own a dog. Every dog is going to need supplies, good food, and will also need medical care. After all is said and done this could cost about $800 or more. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
Because dogs cannot speak to you, it is important to learn their non-verbal cues. Don’t force interaction with other pets or people if your dog is showing reluctance. This can lead to a bad ending for your dog, the other pooch or the other person. Watch for any of these non-verbal cues and let these guide your actions.
Keep your medications out of paw’s reach. Dogs can have very negative side effects from even small amounts of medications intended for humans. If your dog does ingest some of your medication, get in touch with your veterinarian immediately.
Look into the flea treatments. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.
Table Scraps
Do not fall prey to the temptation to feed table scraps to your dog. This will only teach him to beg constantly and also inhibit his appetite toward his regular food. Feeding table scraps to your dog could lead to digestive problems or obesity. Insist that your dog wait away from the table during family meals to avoid temptation on his part – and yours.
If you are not sure of how much to feed your dog each day, talk to your vet about it. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. Your vet will know how much to feed your particular dog.
Pay attention to the nails of your canine. Long nails cause huge amounts of pain. Purchasing some nail clippers at your local pet store is a good idea. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this on your own then you can hire a groomer to do it for a little bit of money.
When you get a new dog, it is best that you schedule a check-up at the vet right away. This should be done as soon as he is adopted. Your vet will provide a full check up and establish vaccination dates. Also discuss the spaying or neutering process with your vet. This can help to eliminate unwanted animals and keep your dog happy and healthy for a longer period of time.
Teach your dog the proper way to walk while on a leash. The dog needs to stay beside you, not behind or in front of you. It also needs to know the command “heel”. Having a dog that can properly walk on a leash will be more enjoyable for both you and your pup. Even if you decide to give him additional slack on the leash from time to time, teaching your dog to heel remains an important task as a pet owner.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, but aren’t sure you want to make the commitment, try serving as a foster home. Shelters for abused or homeless dogs are often looking for temporary homes, called foster homes, where dogs can live until they are adopted out to a permanent home. Fostering a dog will allow you to do some charity work and see if you really want a dog!
Make sure that your dog is not kept outside your home all day long. A lot of people allow this, but dogs are social creatures that need other beings. If there is only one dog in your household, he may feel lonely outdoors. It’s especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.
Dogs bring great joy to the lives of many. But, it is necessary to understand what must be done to have a happy, healthy pet. Hopefully this article gave you lots of excellent information about looking after “man’s best friend.”