A dog is a great pet. There is a reason that dogs are the most popular pet! They are active, enjoy having fun, and are affectionate. Dogs make excellent friends. That means you need to be a great companion for them too. Here is how you can do that.
It takes a lot of money to raise 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. One huge expense you might encounter is emergency vet care, so you may want to think about getting health insurance for your pet.
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.
Keep your medications out of paw’s reach. Your dog could have a heart attack or a seizure if it swallows some pills. Make sure you have your veterinarian’s number handy in case your dog does accidentally swallow your medicine.
When it comes to dog flea treatments, you should proceed with caution. A large number of them contain high doses of carcinogens and other hazardous ingredients. Ask your vet about alternative treatments that are more family-friendly, and be sure to keep small children away during applications.
Table Scraps
Resist the urge to give your dog table scraps. This teaches dogs bad habits. Table scraps can also be unhealthy and lead to excess weight and digestive problems. Resist the temptation and only give dog food to your pup.
Trim your dog’s nails regularly. If they start curling under, your dog may experience a lot of pain. Purchasing some nail clippers at your local pet store is a good idea. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
Do not leave your dog outdoors for extended periods of time. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. If you don’t have more than one dog, the dog will get lonely when he’s not around you. Plan on bringing your dog inside when the weather is rainy, snowy, very hot, or very cold.
Avoid matting on your dog’s paws by keeping the hair on them trimmed. A comb should be used first to straighten it before you do any cutting. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
If your dog is a female and in heat, you need to be careful if you’re not trying to get her pregnant. A male canine might sense her from a distance of five miles. The end result of letting an in heat dog run free is not only an unwanted litter, but also a dog who is prone to fighting and the resulting injuries.
It’s not rare for dogs to acquire cuts by stepping on debris or glass pieces. If your dog gets a small cut, wash it with an antiseptic and place a bandage around the area. If the cut seems like it’s too deep, then head off to see the vet.
If you already have a dog at home, take your existing dog to meet the potential new one. Just like people, dogs can have a personality clash. Finding a compatible dog will save you anguish and trouble.
You might be tempted to share your food with your dog. Some foods are fine to give, but others really are not. Chocolate, caffeine, and grapes are some examples of food that should not be given to dogs. They can cause illnesses and, in some cases, even death, and your dog will not benefit by receiving them.
You need to think everything through before you bring a dog home. It’s a great deal of responsibility, after all. In order to make sure you are ready for dog ownership, think it through carefully.
Before committing to a dog, consider the kind of life you currently have, from how often you vacation to the sort of events you engage in. Wanting a dog is the easy part, but is your lifestyle ready to handle a full time commitment like a canine?
Take steps to keep your dog cool in the summer. Dogs can quickly overheat and become dehydrated, which can be extremely dangerous. Make sure they have somewhere shady to hang out during the summer months. Be sure there is always cool and clean water within the dog’s reach. Also, your dog might not like the sun’s rays, so ask the vet if you can get some sunscreen for your dog.
Clean your dog’s water and food bowls regularly. You wouldn’t want to always eat from the same dirty plate, so why should you expect your dog to? You need to wash the bowls on a daily basis.
Crate training a puppy is a good idea if you’re going to be gone all day and will have nobody there to watch your pet for you. You can prevent unwanted accidents and damage to your belongings by using an appropriate crate.
Your dog should be as clean as you are. While your dog will not need a bath every day, you do want to be sure to give it a good cleaning at least once a week. This keeps skin issues at bay, and also keeps your home clean.
It’s important to be a loyal friend to your pet. Use these tips to care for your dog better. It is important to provide your dog with a good environment and take good care of it so it lives a long happy life.
