Are you at a loss for competent, responsible information on caring for your dog and what type of food to buy him? A lot of people agree with you. It is important that you understand how to properly care for your dog. It is easy to use the solid advice below to learn how to properly care for and feed your dog.

Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. A checkup once a year will help diagnose any problems.

Choose the correct flea medicine for your dog. Some treatments contain dangerous ingredients that may put your kids at risk for diseases like cancer. Talk with your vet concerning alternative treatments, and do not let small children come near while treating your dog.

Talk to your vet about which foods you should be feeding your dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to handle particular foods, which may cause stomach issues. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.

Ask your vet how much food your dog should get every day. Even though many people stick to the label on the can or package of the dog’s food, sometimes these guidelines might not work for the type of dog that you have. This could lead to your dog becoming obese. Speak with your veterinarian about what your dog’s needs are and what amounts are proper.

Take your dog outside so that he can get fresh air and exercise. Dogs need game time and regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically healthy and happy. Whether you decide to take the dog for a walk or if you’re just playing fetch, it will benefit both of you. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.

When you’re choosing your dog’s food, don’t cut costs by going with the cheapest option. In the long run, it is beneficial to be feeding your dog high quality, nutritious food. Sure, it’s more expensive. But, isn’t your pet worth it?

Schedule a veterinary checkup for your new dog. This should be one of the first things that you attend to when you’re bringing home a new pet. The vet will provide a full health check and create a vaccination schedule. Also talk to your vet about getting the dog spayed or neutered – there are already way too many dogs in shelters, and you really don’t want to add to this problem.

Certain health issues plague particular dog breeds, and you need to know what those conditions are for the type of dog you own. You might be able to prevent some conditions from developing by taking a little extra care of him from the beginning. Talk to the vet to find out what you are able to do to assist your dog in beating the prognoses of his breed.

Male Dogs

Be cautious with female dogs in the heat. If you aren’t, you may have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. Male dogs from as far as 5 miles away may pick up the scent. As well as possibly causing a fight amongst male dogs in the area, she might actually get pregnant.

Carefully choose your dog’s food. There are plenty of options, and you should find what best matches your dog’s age, weight and other characteristics. Letting your dog eat leftovers is something you may think can save you money, but really that’s not healthy for it at all.

If you have a snack, you might think that it’s okay for your dog to take a bite. This is okay with certain foods, but some things are very bad for a dog. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. Such foods tend to harm the health of dogs.

When you first start out training the dog see what kinds of rewards work best. Do what you can to learn what motivates your dog. Pieces of sausage or tasty dog treats will work for a dog that is motivated by food. If your dog prefers toys, have a quick game of tug of war once your pup does what you want. Quality time spent giving them a good petting can even do the trick.

You don’t just have to “wing it” when it comes to your dog’s care. There’s plenty of food options for dogs beyond the grocery store. Just use the information here to help you find the best program of care for your dog.