If you are searching for a loving and loyal pet, consider a dog. For owners who live on their own with their canine companion or for large households who consider a dog part of the family, dog ownership comes with plenty of rewards. If you’re wanting to care for your dog better, the tips that follow can help.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. You will have to spend between $700 and $1000 a year to cover food and medical expenses. 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.
Your home needs to be ‘dog-proofed’. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. Do not have any pills out in the open and put all supplies in cabinets. Many common household plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog or get rid of them.
Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Your dog can’t talk, it might be difficult to find out what is wrong if there is an issue. Bringing your dog to the vet each year can help stop these health issues from becoming a huge problem.
If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to keep it away from your dog. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.
Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. You will be responsible for your dog’s actions and safety.
Don’t go for the cheap stuff when you buy dog food. The brands that are cheaper have preservatives, additives, as well as other things that aren’t good for your dog. Contact an animal advocacy group about which foods are best for your dog. Your dog is going to be healthier if he eats better.
Keep your dogâ”s nails trimmed. If they begin to curl under, you dog could experience quite a bit of pain. You can purchase clippers and do this at home. If you aren’t confident enough to do it yourself, take the dog to a local pet groomer.
Bring your shelter dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible after you adopt him. You never know what condition the dog might be in. A full check-up, a clean bill of health, and a full complement of the necessary shots is the best way to start off your relationship with your dog.
Set up a vet check for a new dog. In fact, do it the same day as you bring the pet home so you don’t forget. This allows the vet to look him over and schedule the necessary vaccines. Ask your vet about neutering your dog. Shelters are filled with unwanted animals and not neutering your dog means you could be making this problem worse.
Some dog breeds are more prone to problems than others and you should know if your dog could have problems. Do what you can to combat those issues early. Talk to the vet to find out what you are able to do to assist your dog in beating the prognoses of his breed.
Dog Shelter
You can find pure breeds at the dog shelter. A lot of dog owners leave their dogs in the city pound when they can’t look after their dog anymore. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. Taking this option may save the life of a dog.
If your female dog is in heat, be very careful with her around other dogs or she may become pregnant. A male will be able to smell her from a far distance. Your dog could get into fights with other dogs or become pregnant.
When you are training your dog, don’t have too many people telling your dog what to do. Training methods vary by person, and multiple trainers can confuse the dog. Designate one person to be in charge of training and have others reinforce everything the dog learns by adhering to the same rules and respecting the process.
It isn’t unusual for dogs to injure their paws by stepping on bits of glass or other debris. Small cuts can be treated by washing, flushing with hydrogen peroxide and bandaging. If it is a very deep cut, you should take him to a vet.
Sometimes we think it’s okay to feed our pups some of what we are eating. This is fine with some foods, but other foods aren’t healthy for dogs. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. They can cause illnesses and, in some cases, even death, and your dog will not benefit by receiving them.
Don’t be hasty when deciding if you will get a dog or not. A cute puppy tugs at the heartstrings, but you’re not thinking about all the responsibilities caring for it will involve. Think about finances, time commitment and your current household situation before making a decision.
A lot goes into owning and caring for a dog. There is more to it than taking him for walks and giving him food. Knowing how to care properly for your dog is important. When you follow through properly, you can enjoy life together for years to come.
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