Dog ownership isn’t easy. You will need to give them the right foods, take them out and care for them daily. There’s so much to do; how will you know where to start? Well, all you really have to do is read over this article to get some facts that will help you to care for your dog properly.
It costs a lot of money to own a dog. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. Getting into a vet if you have an emergency can cost quite a bit of money, sometimes in the thousands, so you may need pet health insurance too.
It’s very important to make sure that your home is safe for a dog. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Secure the trash can, stow way all medications and put away your regular cleaning supplies. Make sure no toxic plants are in the vicinity of your dogs.
If you have medication is your home, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. If the dog gets near the pills, then just a few of them could do serious harm and result in a trip to emergency room. When your dog happens to get at your meds, call the vet ASAP.
Avoid the bargain brands of pet food. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Check with an animal advocacy group for a list of foods you should be feeding your dog. Your dog will be much better off.
Rather than purchasing an actual meat bone for your dog, go with rawhide instead. Real bones can chip and become lodged in harmful place such as the digestive tract. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
The daily brushing of your dog’s coat is beneficial, in more ways that just stopping constant shedding. Brushing daily will give them a shiny, beautiful coat. The brushing motion encourages distribution of the skin’s oil, leaving the coat healthy, soft and glossy.
A trip to the vet should be at the top of your schedule if your new dog’s last home was the animal shelter. Shelter dogs have likely been exposed to all kinds of viruses, such as parvo and distemper, which are deadly. Therefore, you should have the animal looked at prior to taking it to your house.
Make sure you provide your dog with affection on a regular basis. A lot of owners focus on correcting bad behaviors rather than displaying affection for their dog. This could cause lots of problems for you. Instead make it a habit to praise your dog much more often than any scolding. Make it five times to any one. Your dog will do its best to please you.
Keep a dog tag on your dog at all times. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. Make sure that a current telephone number and the dog’s name are included on the tag. Micro-chipping your dog is another option.
Always go to your dog’s yearly check-up. Your vet can identify health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid abnormalities before the problem is apparent to you. By having a physical each year, you can avoid unnecessary expenses later on and your dog will not suffer.
Dogs often get cuts from debris or pieces of glass. If you notice a small cut on your dog, use antiseptic to wash it, and then put a bandage around it. If the cut continues to bleed, go to an emergency veterinary hospital.
Perform tick and flea inspections daily on the dog when it gets warmer out. If you find fleas, use a flea comb and get rid of them. There are lots of flea and tick products for dogs. Speak with your vet about which choices are best.
With these great tips, you can now really be an exceptional dog owner. You now know what it takes to be a responsible, caring master. Use all that you now know, and your dog will be eternally grateful for your love, support, and leadership!