It is important to never take the responsibility involved in owning a dog too lightly. You must make sure your dog is happy and healthy all the time. If you know how to find a balance with your canine, make sure you learn by reading ahead.
It costs a lot to own a dog. Dogs need good food, medical care and other supplies. This can add up to $500-$1000 a year. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
Hug your dog, but don’t kiss him. Kisses from dogs are adorable, but they’re a lot less cute when you realize how filthy your dog’s mouth actually is. Dogs will eat their own waste, dine on garbage, and gulp water straight from your toilet. Many people say that dogs have cleaner mouths than people. This is simply false.
Always have your dogs spayed or neutered. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.
Make sure you are using the right flea treatments on your pet dog. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Ask your vet for recommendations instead, and keep children away while you’re applying flea treatments.
Do not fall prey to the temptation to feed table scraps to your dog. If you feed from the table, he’ll become a beggar and stop eating his own food. Table scraps are also not nutritionally sound for a dog, and this might mean digestive problems, obesity, and other ailments. Make sure your dog does not sit near the table and beg, so you aren’t tempted.
Think about your life and then find a dog breed that will fit in well with your habits. For instance, if you like to go running, you’re not going to want a little dog that can’t keep up with you. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.
Talk to your vet about how much your dog should eat. Even though many people stick to the label on the can or package of the dog’s food, sometimes these guidelines might not work for the type of dog that you have. This could lead to your dog becoming obese. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.
It is important that your dog’s nails are not allowed to get too long. If they start to curl under then your dog may start to feel pain. Simply purchase a pair of clippers from the store. If you can’t do it by yourself, you might want to try the groomers; it does not cost a lot.;
If you want to get a pet from a shelter, find a vet who can examine your new dog. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to viruses or might already be sick. Have your dog checked over and given vaccinations as soon as possible.
Get your new pet a veterinary exam. Make an appointment as early as possible. Your vet will provide a full check up and establish vaccination dates. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Train your pet on how to behave correctly when leashed. Your dog should walk beside you, not lag behind or run ahead, and should obey the command “heel.” Walking like this can keep them safe and help you enjoy walks too. The heel command is crucial for your dog, even if a loose leash walk is being used.
You now have some helpful information. Make an effort to accommodate your dog’s needs, and you will be rewarded. Surely you want your dog to be as happy and healthy as possible.
