There is a reason that dogs are man’s best friend; they are generally sweet, attentive and loving toward their owners. As can be seen, a healthy dog is the result of an informed owner who searches out the information needed to properly care for the pet. Continue on and begin your journey to taking care of dogs.
When you take your dog on vacation with you, get a snapshot of them for your phone. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.
You should talk to your vet about the foods you give your dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Be careful when it comes to what you feed your pet.
When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. However, if you’re someone who stays mainly at home then seek out a small dog that loves to be adorned with lots of love while lounging around the house. Keeping a mismatch out of play makes both of you happy.
If you have an outdoor pet, build a shelter for him or buy one that is ready to use. This is especially important during wet weather. Make sure that your dog has a spacious home that they can go into to get out of the weather.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If your dog doesn’t want it, don’t force him to eat it. It will take you a little while to figure out what your dog likes and what he doesn’t, but you’ll get the hang of it.
Your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. When they start curling under, the dog runs the risk of experiencing pain. These can be trimmed at home if you use nail clippers from the store. If you are worried about doing this, simply take him to a groomer – it doesn’t cost very much to get his nails trimmed.
Bring your shelter dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible after you adopt him. Illness is common in shelters, and your new pet could be at risk or already nursing an ailment. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Regular exercise and play time promotes the health and happiness of your dog. Not only will your dog benefit from exercise, you will as well. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.
When you’re choosing your dog’s food, don’t cut costs by going with the cheapest option. Over the course of the dogs life he will be much healthier if you stick to high quality food with plenty of nutritional value. This may mean that you have to pay a higher price, but you will know your dog is receiving all of the nutrients he needs.
Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. He should know the “heel” command, stay close to you and not veer far ahead or drag behind. Your dog will be safer in this position, and you’ll both enjoy your walks more this way. When you dog understands the command to heel, you can relax occasionally and walk with a loose leash without having your arm pulled off.
Follow your vet’s advice when it comes to medications and special care requirements. While a cone around the head is not a pleasant experience for your pet, it may be a necessary requirement for a short time. Recommendations that a vet makes are for the good of your pet and if you don’t adhere to these things it could be bad for your pet.
Health Issues
Certain dog breeds are prone to particular health issues, so find out what is typical for the type of dog you have. You should do some research on the dog breeds you are interested in to learn more about the health issues they are likely to develop. Talk to your vet about prevention, too.
If you are in the market for a pedigree pup, you just may find him at the pound. A lot of dog owners leave their pet at the pound if they do not want them or cannot keep them. Make a phone call to local pounds and shelters and see what kinds of dogs are there. You may even save a poor dog’s life.
Dog ownership has many benefits and can create great friendships. If you own a dog or are thinking of getting one, get off to a great start by learning how to properly care for your pet. Take what you’ve just learned to heart, and enjoy the life of your dog.
