You can pick from various pets today. You may choose a cat, fish, reptile, or even a rodent. If what you’re looking for is unconditional love, though, there’s no better bet than getting a dog. The following piece will give you tips for properly caring for a dog.

Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.

If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to keep it away from your dog. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog’s health and even cause death. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

If your dog displays a good behavior, praise it or reward it with a treat. You need to reward good behavior. This will also give your dog incentive to be good.

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. Contact an animal advocacy group about which foods are best for your dog. The higher quality food will benefit your dog profoundly.

Never give your dog a real bone to chew on. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. It has been shown that rawhide bones are safe and great for their teeth, so be sure to not give your dog that ham bone next time.

Build or buy a house for your dog if he has to stay outdoors for any length of time in cold weather. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Always protect him from wind, sun and rain by making sure he has a dry shelter to go to.

Always buy high quality food for your best friend. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. While this could mean paying more for higher-end brands, your dog’s proper health will be guaranteed through eating healthfully.

Get your new pet a veterinary exam. Do this as soon as your dog arrives at your doorstep. The vet will check him over and prepare him for vaccinations. Remember that there is a tremendous dog overpopulation problem, so you should have your dog spayed/neutered.

Some dog breeds are more prone to problems than others and you should know if your dog could have problems. Take the time to read up on your breed so that you don’t get any surprises down the road. Speak with your vet about the positive steps you can take to help your dog avoid these sorts of breed related problems.

Dog Feel

Separation anxiety could be a problem with your dog. If so, show him extra love and attention and leave music on while you are away. The sounds help your dog feel like others are still home and help your dog feel more secure. This can significantly help reduce its anxiety.

Having a dog is kind of a big deal, but with the tips you’ve learned, you should be prepared. Continue your education on dogs and their care by reading all you can find. You’ll be able to take great care of your pet, and will have a fun little hobby.