Have you shared a previous part of your life with a dog, or do you have one right now? If so, you surely realize how great having a dog can be. However, like with many other things, you can get a lot more out of owning a dog when you know what you’re doing. This article exists to supply you with high quality advice on dogs.
There are many pleasures derived from dog ownership, but it is also a serious financial commitment. High quality dog food, medical care, toys and treats can easily run close to $1,000 in a 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.
It’s good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Keep in mind that dogs drink from toilet bowls and eat whatever is on the ground. There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is not the truth!
Dog Gets
If you keep some medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. If the dog gets near the pills, then just a few of them could do serious harm and result in a trip to emergency room. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Make sure you are using the right flea treatments on your pet dog. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian, and see if he has more holistic treatment options that might help to keep your pet free from fleas and your family safe.
Dog Foods
Avoid cheap dog food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren’t the best for your dog. Find a list of recommended dog foods from the vet or an advocate for animals. Your dog will get good benefits from the right kind of food.
Correct your dog’s bad behavior immediately. The longer you ignore it, the more difficult it will be to correct it later, and the consequences could be dire. The dog may harm somebody, even you, so control them.
If you want to get a pet from a shelter, find a vet who can examine your new dog. Dogs in shelters could be sick or may have already been exposed to some viruses. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
If you’d like to be a dog owner, but think you might not be able to handle the commitment, consider fostering dogs. A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home – who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
Listen to your vet when he tells you how to administer medication or care. They may not like their cone, but they need it for a purpose. Your vet will recommend things that are good for the health of your dog, so make sure that you follow his advice.
Some dog breeds are more prone to problems than others and you should know if your dog could have problems. Research his heritage and take preventative steps for problems you know he is a candidate for. Ask your veterinarian what steps can be taken to prevent issues that are common with your dog’s breed.
Show the dog that he is loved. As with most things, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. This could lead to trouble down the line. Try keeping track of how often you praise and scold your pet in a day. For every one negative thing, make sure you say five positive things as well. He’ll behave better more often this way.
Schedule a visit to the vet for your dog on a regular basis. Your pet will need to go to the vet so it can get tested for heart worms, get a general check up, and to see if the shots are still up to date. If your dog is younger, make sure that you go to the vet often. At the first sign of illness or if your dog is injured, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet.
Dogs do not necessarily need vitamin supplements like humans. If you are feeding your dog a well-balanced dog food, specific to his age, weight and health needs, additional vitamins can do damage. Do not give your dog too many vitamins as this can get them sick. You should always speak to your vet concerning your dog’s vitamin regimen.
As stated at the start of this article, it is extremely rewarding to own a dog. Whenever you educate yourself on dogs, this can be even more enriching. Now that you’ve gone over the things in the article above, dogs should be something you understand more. Take this tips to heart, and love every minute of your life with your dog!
Find someone to look after your family pets. If you have a pet cat or puppy or other household pets who needa sitter, search our site and locate the most suitable pet sitter for you.
