Are you dreaming of owning a dog who is also your best friend? What actually happens could be completely different. No matter what, you’ll have a dog you must care for and this article can show you how.
Hugging is okay but kissing should be avoided. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. After all, dogs eat out of the garbage, drink from toilet bowls, and lick all over their body. Your dog’s mouth is not really any cleaner than a human’s mouth. This statement is most definitely not true.
Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. A large number of them contain high doses of carcinogens and other hazardous ingredients. Find out about healthy treatments that can keep you and your pet safe.
Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. For instance, joggers may want dogs that can run along with them, instead of a toy breed that cannot. When you prefer to stay home, choose a small dog who doesn’t need much outdoor time. You will be much happier when you make a choice that is complementary to your lifestyle.
Speak to your vet about your dog’s eating habits. Some people refer to the label on the package to determine the quantity of food to feed their dogs, but those guidelines are not always right and using them can cause your dog to become overweight. Check with you vet to find out about the feeding guidelines for your particular dog.
Offer rawhide rather than actual meat bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide is very healthy and will help your dog develop some strong teeth. Never ever give him a real bone!
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. Remember that dogs exposed to cold and damp or excessive heat are far more likely to become ill. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.
Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed weekly. Once they get to a length where they are curling under, this is likely to cause your dog some pain. Purchasing some nail clippers at your local pet store is a good idea. If you’d prefer, you can have the groomers trim your pup’s nails.
Bring your shelter dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible after you adopt him. A shelter is often a haven for kennel cough and other diseases. Therefore, you should have the animal looked at prior to taking it to your house.
Become acquainted with dog food labels and avoid buying based solely on cost. It is best to invest in quality dog food. Quality brands are more expensive but they will significantly increase the life expectancy of your dog.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. Make a vet appointment right after the dog comes home. The veterinarian will do a full checkup and set a schedule for his vaccinations. Also see about getting your dog fixed because there are tons of animals in shelters and adding to that problem isn’t good.
Certain health issues plague particular dog breeds, and you need to know what those conditions are for the type of dog you own. Research his ancestry and take steps to prevent problems he might be prone to. Your vet can also tell you how to give your dog the best odds for overcoming any conditions that are typical for his breed.
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 noise make them feel more secure and keeps them company. Doing this might help your dog get past its anxiety while it awaits your return.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. It is easy to overlook the good behavior your dog shows while you concentrate on eliminating the bad. This could lead to trouble down the line. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold them. This will make it more likely that your dog will behave well.
Your dog needs to wear some sort of identification in case he escapes your house. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. On the tag, make sure to include your pet’s name and your phone number. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put in your dog.
When the weather heats up, ticks and fleas become active. If you find fleas, use a flea comb and get rid of them. There are lots of flea and tick products for dogs. Talk to a vet regarding these products or some other options.
Take this advice to heart. Use it so that your dog can be all you wish him to be. Dogs that are happy really show it no matter what, so work hard and you’ll see the rewards!