Your dog needs a lot more than a daily feeding and a quick pet. Your dog also needs constant TLC. But do you know how to care for your dog? There is a wealth of dog advice in this article that might be of use to you.
Make sure your house is free of doggy danger. It is important that you try to foresee any problems your dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Put cleaning supplies and medications away and keep indoor trash 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.
A physical is good for you, and a yearly vet trip is good for your dog. Even the best dog owner will find it difficult or impossible to detect the first signs of health troubles, like a tooth infection or arthritic joints. A yearly checkup will help you find any problems before they become huge issues.
Spay or neuter your dog. Studies have shown that this leads to the pet living a longer and much healthier life. Not only that, but neutered and spayed dogs feel less need to wander away from home, so they are not as likely to be hit by a vehicle or become lost.
Whenever you bring your dog along on vacations, take a quick snapshot of him and keep it 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.
Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed weekly. If they start to curl under then your dog may start to feel pain. Nails can easily be clipped. Your local pet store will have the tool you need. Can’t hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.
Become acquainted with dog food labels and avoid buying based solely on cost. Your dog will enjoy greater health benefits from nutritious food. Although it will cost you more, you can feel good about the fact that you aren’t skimping when it comes to what your pet eats.
When you get a new dog, it is best that you schedule a check-up at the vet right away. Do this as soon as your dog arrives at your doorstep. The veterinarian will make sure your pet is as healthy as you think he is and also talk to you about vaccinations. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Always follow through with instructions from your vet if your dog has medication or needs special attention. Your dog won’t like a cone, but he has to wear it. If your veterinarian recommends something, it’s because it’s what’s best for your dog. If you ignore recommendations, your dog could have some major health issues.
Some dogs are more likely to have certain health issues, so you need to know what is expected for your dog. Check out their heritage and try to prevent problems that you know they’re prone to. Ask your veterinarian what steps can be taken to prevent issues that are common with your dog’s breed.
You are more likely to become a dog expert when you do your research. This means that you will give your dog the life he deserves for being a loyal friend. Imagine yourself in your dog’s position. You would certainly hope your owners educate themselves as much as possible.
