Keeping A Dog Healthy Well Into Old Age
Dog ownership isn’t easy. Dogs need to eat, exercise, and be groomed to be happy. Can you expect to be a responsible dog owner without educating yourself on the topic, though? Continue reading and learn more about being a responsible pet owner.
Being a dog owner can be very costly. Good quality dog food and medical care can cost between $700-1000 a year. Health insurance for your pet can be a great idea to help you in emergency situations.
Neuter or spay your dog. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. Additionally, dogs who undergo this procedure are much less likely to wander off and maybe get into to an accident.
Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. If you notice the dog being hesitant in a new situation, don’t force your dog to socialize if it doesn’t want to. This may lead to someone getting bitten. Look for your dog’s non verbal cues and react accordingly.
Be careful with canine flea treatments. Some medicines can put your children in harms way. Ask your vet for recommendations instead, and keep children away while you’re applying flea treatments.
There are more advantages to daily brushing of your dog than just keeping your home hair free. Brushing every day can also help your dog to have a shiny and beautiful coat. When you brush the coat, oils from the skin are distributed throughout, and this is makes the coat soft and silky.
Put a leash on your dog at all times when walking him. He should be on your side, not behind or ahead of you, and he should know how to respond when told to “heel.” Following this tip can make walking safer for your pet, and it can also make walks more enjoyable for both of you. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.
If you’ve been considering adopting a dog but still aren’t sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. Fostering a dog will allow you to do some charity work and see if you really want a dog!
If you are looking for dog of a particular breed, don’t discount your local pound. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Call the pound to see what they have available. Taking this option may save the life of a dog.
A dog needs both mental and physical exercise. Find ways for your dog to help you each day, such as training it to fetch the morning paper. Your dog is going to feel useful and also stay quite sharp.
Make sure your dog gets an annual health check-up. A good vet will be able to easily spot problems with your dog way before you actually see something. It’s best to take your dog for annual physical, since that is the best way to ensure that there aren’t an problems that have gone undiagnosed for a long time. In the end, you will save money.
Take your dog to the vet regularly. You must keep up with vaccinations, heartworm testing and physical exams for your dog. It’s important to go more often if it’s a pup. You will also need to see a vet right away if your dog starts showing signs of illness or injury.
If your dog accidentally goes to the bathroom inside, remove every trace of it. Clean it well, and then snuff out any remaining smell with an odor remover. If the smell from your pet’s mess stays there, it might motivate your dog to continue defecating there.
Have your current dog choose your new dog. Dogs are social animals and may or may not get along. If you find that your dogs are compatible, a lot of anguish and trouble can be saved.
Don’t be hasty when deciding if you will get a dog or not. Falling in love with a puppy is easy, but there is more to taking care of a dog than that. Consider everything beforehand so that you know whether or not you can confidently manage it all.
You have to watch what kind of food your dog consumes. When a dog is a puppy, he can eat calorie filled foods because he is growing. Eating the same sorts of food once they’re fully grown can be bad for dogs, though, making them overweight and putting them at risk for all sorts of health problems.
It may be cute when your plays with your slippers, but you won’t appreciate it if he chews them up. You must do something about these habits right away. When your puppy is engaging in an inappropriate behavior, stop him immediately. This will prevent future headaches.
If your dog chews a lot, consider buying him some dog toys or raw hide bones. These toys and treats are made with dogs in mind, and can provide an outlet for your dog’s need to chew. You can generally find these items at pet stores or big box stores.
You shouldn’t allow your dog to be alone for extended periods of time. The majority of people must work, and that absence is something that your dog can deal with, but try to limit your absences at other times. Consider putting on a little background noise, like music, to help keep your dog company when you are out. Another idea is to hire a pet sitter so that your dog is not lonely.
After reading this advice, start putting it to use on a daily basis. You now have some basic dog-care tips that can be quite helpful. Using these suggestions, treat your dog right!