When cared for by a responsible and attentive owner, a dog can provide unparalleled affection and companionship. Learning about his needs is the key to your dog being healthy and happy. Continue reading to find out how to properly care for your dog.
Your home needs to be 'dog-proofed'. Before you bring a new dog home, make sure the whole area is safe. Put all medication and cleaning supplies away, and keep your indoor trash can inside a cabinet. Since some plants are very harmful because of their toxicity, it's best to get rid of them or put them in an area that the dog cannot get to.
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Your dog can't talk, it might be difficult to find out what is wrong if there is an issue. Regular checkups will help you find these issues prior to them becoming a serious problem.
Neuter or spay the dog. Your pet stands to enjoy a significantly better (and longer) life. It's been verified through research that this simple procedure reduces cancer risks and provides other benefits, too. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don't have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.
If your dog comes with you on vacations, you need to have an up-to-date picture of it on hand and in your phone. By doing this, in case your dog gets lost, you can provide others with a picture and easily put up flyers, which will assist in finding your dog.
Try not to buy low quality food for your dog. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog's health over time. You should contact an animal advocacy group or a consumer awareness program to get some recommendations for quality dog foods. Your dog will appreciate your research.
Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog's teeth or digestive system. Rawhide is great for oral health, so don't give Rover any of your T-bone, regardless of how much you know he wants it.
Don't force your dog to do anything. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. Find out your dog's likes and dislikes and feed him accordingly.
Take the time to correct bad behavior in your dog at the first sign of it. Turning a blind eye to it just makes it harder to fix down the road. You could end up with a dog that hurts other people, so make sure you're in control at all times.
There's nothing that is the same as the happiness a dog brings to everyone. It's important to have the right advice and knowledge to keep your dog energetic and happy. Hopefully, this article has given you the information to help you with taking care of your furry best friend.
