Do you wish the grocery store had more choices when it comes to what you feed your dog? Do you want to be a better dog owner? Many people just don’t know where to start. Continue reading to learn more about owning a dog and all that it entails.
You must dog-proof your residence. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Medicine and cleaners should be stored, and indoor trash should be placed in a cabinet. Some houseplants are toxic and need to be kept out of your dog’s reach.
Never give your dog a real bone to chew on. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. 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.
Your dog needs a dog house if he or she has to remain outside in cold weather. If his feet are wet, extreme temperatures can be stressful and bad for his health. Make sure that your dog has a spacious home that they can go into to get out of the weather.
Do not force your dog to eat things. Some dogs won’t love all treats, and you shouldn’t push your dog to like something. When you first get a dog, you should take some time to get to know what it likes and what it dislikes.
If you get your dog from the pound, make sure you have a vet check him out right away. 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.
Exercise your dog frequently. In order to stay fit and sharp-minded, a dog needs to spend plenty of time being physically active and playing constructive games. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. Exercising with your dog will help you establish a bond with it.
Become acquainted with dog food labels and avoid buying based solely on cost. High quality foods are always your best bet. While this could mean paying more for higher-end brands, your dog’s proper health will be guaranteed through eating healthfully.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. This should be done as soon as he is adopted. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. Ask your vet about neutering your dog. Shelters are filled with unwanted animals and not neutering your dog means you could be making this problem worse.
You can always choose to foster a dog for a few weeks if you’re not sure about making the full commitment of dog ownership. Dogs who have been abused or left without a home stay in shelters until someone adopts them. Since there are so many dogs in shelters, there are little resources. You can give one a home for a while to help the cause and you can also keep it if you like it!
As you can see, caring for a dog is a big responsibility. There is a world of dog dietary options beyond what you can see in the dog food aisle. Take the advice in this article to heart, and provide the best care and feeding for your particular dog.