Many people have pets throughout their lives. If you’re in the market for a dog, you need to know some stuff. This article is going to give you tips on dogs so that you can be prepared to care for one.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. Getting into a vet if you have an emergency can cost quite a bit of money, sometimes in the thousands, so you may need pet health insurance too.
You should not kiss your dog. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. Many people believe that the human mouth has more germs than that of a dog – this isn’t true. Definitely do not believe that!
Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Obviously, dogs don’t speak, so it can be hard to figure out when they’re having problems with their bones or teeth. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.
Flea Treatments
Be careful with canine flea treatments. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Discuss family-friendly alternative flea treatments with your vet. Be sure to store all flea treatments out of the reach of children.
Think about your own lifestyle when considering the dog breed you want. Do not buy a dog that is lazy if you are very active. If you prefer to stay home curled up on your couch, go for a small dog that likes to be spoiled and that will curl up along with you. Don’t get a dog that you don’t fit in with if you can avoid that.
Be sure to praise your dog thoroughly any time it behaves correctly, such as sitting when it is time to put their leash on. Always make sure your dog knows when they perform a behavior you wish to see repeated. This also shows the dog that good behavior will earn praise.
Avoid cheap dog food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren’t the best for your dog. Try using animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness to get a list of great dog foods that have high professional recommendations. Your dog will benefit greatly from better food.
Brushing your dog on a daily basis has other benefits aside from the fact that he will shed less fur on your furniture clothing. It leaves them looking gorgeous, for one thing. Oil is distributed as you brush their hair, which keeps both fur and skin healthy.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. The veterinarian will make sure your pet is as healthy as you think he is and also talk to you about vaccinations. Also see about getting your dog fixed because there are tons of animals in shelters and adding to that problem isn’t good.
If you’d like to be a dog owner, but think you might not be able to handle the commitment, consider fostering dogs. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. Become a foster parent to test the waters.
Female Dog
Be careful with your female dog when she is in heat, if you don’t want her getting pregnant. Male dogs can pick up the scent of a female dog in full heat up to five miles away. Your dog could get into fights with other dogs or become pregnant.
You need to ensure your dog will come back if he runs away; that is why you need to have a collar with his information on it. One way to do this is to always have your dog wear a collar, and ensure that the collar has an identification tag attached. This tag needs to contain all of your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. Additionally, you can put a micro-chip on your dog.
Never miss one of your pet’s annual check-ups. This allows the vet to catch any diseases in the early stages before they can cause enough damage for you to even notice. This saves you money on vet bills later on, or heartache from your pet’s suffering.
If you already have a dog and want to get another one, allow your existing dog to meet the new one before you make your final decision. Dogs can be quite social, but some are more effective at socializing than others. Finding a compatible dog will save you anguish and trouble.
Even if your dog spends most of its time outdoors, it still needs lots of attention. They’ll develop bad habits like chewing, digging, and barking if they’re constantly left alone. They could turn aggressive, too. Give him lots of love and playtime to keep him happy.
Your dog needs to be protected in the summer time. It is easy for a dog to become overheated, and this can cause health problems. In the summertime, be sure they can lay in a cool, shaded area. Also, be sure your dog has clean, cold water. In addition, dogs are affected by the sun’s rays, so ask your vet about doggie sunscreens.
You should now have some good information about provided a dog with good care. Once you put your techniques into practice, things will become easier for you as the owner. Keep this article as a handy reference, in case you find yourself wondering what to do again sometime in the future.
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