The domestication of dogs began thousands and thousands of years ago. Humans and dogs have proven that they are just meant to be side by side, through thick and thin. But, since you’re the human, it’s up to you take care of your dog. Here you will find some advice that should guide you if you wish to have a healthy dog.
Owning a dog is quite a large financial commitment. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. Getting emergency care from the vet is costly, so you may need to take a look at health insurance for your pet.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Dogs will eat their own waste, dine on garbage, and gulp water straight from your toilet. Your dog’s mouth is not really any cleaner than a human’s mouth. This is not true, at all!
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Dogs can’t talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? Regular checkups will assure these issues are caught before they turn into something big.
If you’re taking your pup on a vacation, make sure that you take a picture of him for on your phone. In the event that he gets separated from you, you have easy access to a current photo to put on flyers that will help identify him.
Never take your dog outside your yard without a leash. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. As the owner, you will be held responsible for any damages your dog causes.
Clip your dog’s nails. If they get too long, they may start to curl under and cause your dog pain. Nails can easily be clipped. Your local pet store will have the tool you need. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
A trip to the vet should be at the top of your schedule if your new dog’s last home was the animal shelter. A shelter is often a haven for kennel cough and other diseases. Make sure the new puppy gets their required shots before going home.
Don’t feed your dog the cheap stuff. After a while it’s good for the dog if it has been eating nutritious and high quality food. Even though you are paying more, it will save on health bills down the road.
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. There are many less than fortunate dogs in shelters that would love to find a forever home. Fostering a dog will allow you to do some charity work and see if you really want a dog!
If your vet gives you special instructions for your dog’s care, follow them to the letter. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. Your vet makes recommendations that will help your dog be happy and healthy, so you should follow your vet’s advice.
Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop certain health issues. Research his background and prepare for problems he might have. Also, see what advice the vet has in terms of helping your dog overcome breed liabilities.
When you train your dog remember that the end result might be ruined if too many people try to take charge. If the other people who help you train your dog are not consistent with what you started teaching, your dog will have a hard time. Therefore, ensure that only one person is doing the training. The other people should only reinforce the person’s rules and stick by them.
Do not just think your dog is ok because he has a cold nose. It is certainly possible for your canine’s nose to feel cold or wet even if an illness is present. You can keep track of your dog’s heath by paying attention to it’s appetite, demeanor, and energy levels. These are all good ways to gauge how well your pet is doing. Dogs can have their temperature taken rectally.
Consider your daily routines, and decide whether a dog would fit into that scenario well. You may want to get a dog, but there are lots of hard responsibilities that are involved in being a great dog owner.
Your dog might be contained outdoors, but he needs as much of your attention as any indoor dog. He is likely to begin barking, digging holes or chewing if you do not give him enough attention. Your dog could also become nervous or fearful of people. Give him lots of love and playtime to keep him happy.
Take special care during the summer. It’s easy for dogs to overheat. Make sure that your dog has a shaded, cool spot for hot weather. Be certain that your dog always has clean, cool water. Also, the sun’s rays can affect your dog, so ask his vet about sunscreens that are made for dogs.
You have a duty to your dog, to make sure his needs are met and he is well taken care of. If you have the right information, this duty becomes easier to carry out. That is where the information you have just read comes in. Just implement a few of these tips into your household plan, and you will see some serious improvements in your dog very quickly.
