Dog ownership is never easy. Dogs are like children, where they need proper food, exercise, cleaning and grooming and to visit a physician. Sometimes it can be hard to meet the challenges that come along with owning a pet. 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. 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. Also, should an emergency arise, this can cost thousands so you might consider pet health insurance.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. Dog kisses are adorable, but your dog’s mouth is really dirty. They eat garbage or poop and even sniff other dog’s butts. Many people say that dogs have cleaner mouths than people. It simply is not true.
If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to keep it away from your dog. 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. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Flea Treatments
When it comes to dog flea treatments, you should proceed with caution. A lot of them have chemicals that might be bad for kids! Discuss family-friendly alternative flea treatments with your vet. Be sure to store all flea treatments out of the reach of children.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide bones are tested and veterinary approved, and they can benefit your dog’s teeth and gums too. Treat your dog to one regularly.
Avoid trying to force things into your dog. If your dog doesn’t like a treat you give him, let it go. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.
Exercise your dog frequently. Regular exercise is a necessity, as is playtime in order to keep him physically and mentally happy. Your dog will get the exercise it needs (and you’ll be a little more active yourself!) from virtually any kind of outdoor activity you share with it. It also grows your bond with the dog.
If your vet gives you special instructions for your dog’s care, follow them to the letter. Dogs may resist wearing cones, but they are there for good reason. If you fail to listen to your vet, your dog may end up sick or injured.
Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. Train your dog to perform useful activities like fetching the newspaper. Your dog is always going to feel like it’s a part of your family while getting trained so that it’s mentally fit.
ID your pet. A common way to find a lost dog is to ensure it has a collar with an ID tag. All of the necessary contact information, including your dog’s name, should be included. Micro-chipping is an even better method.
You dog should go to the vet on a regular basis. He should visit once a year for tests, weighing and vaccinations. Puppies tend to need the vet more than adults. If your dog appears to be ill or injured, you should make a trip to the vet immediately.
Prior to getting a dog, take into consideration your lifestyle and the amount of time you are away from home. Most people want dogs, but sometimes they cannot give the dog everything that they need.
Bowls Daily
Change your dog’s bowls daily. Your dog doesn’t want to eat from a dirty bowl, just like you wouldn’t want to. Wash bowls daily and fill them up with fresh water and food.
Your dog needs to kept clean, just like you do. While it is not necessary to bathe your dog daily, washing him once a week might be beneficial. This will allow you to keep your house cleaner, as well as help the dog to have less skin problems.
Now that you know what to do, you can use these ideas every day as you care for and play with your dog. This information lets you take good care of your faithful pet. Your dog will be much happier and healthier if you put some effort into being a good dog owner.