Is the range of dog food available at your store not to your satisfaction? A lot of people agree with you. This is why many of them do things themselves. There’s a vast array of dog-care knowledge waiting for you, so check out the tips below and expand your knowledge base.
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Talk to the vet to determine if there are other options for your dog.
Table Scraps
Fight the urge to feed table scraps to your dog. This will make your dog beg all of the time and also will make it not want to eat its regular food as much. A dog fed on table scraps will be prone to unhealthy weight gain, disruptive digestive problems, and other health issues. Train your dog to sit far away from your dining room so that you and your family won’t be tempted to feed it table scraps.
Practice your training regimen for your puppy near your home. You shouldn’t train your dog where many other people are present. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
Never take your dog outside your yard without a leash. There are quite a few things that could cause your dog to run off unexpectedly. You’re responsible for their actions and safety.
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.
Check with your vet to determine the amount of food to feed your dog daily. 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. Your vet will know how much to feed your particular dog.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Real bones can splinter and can get caught in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract. Rawhide is a healthy alternative and will help keep your dog’s teeth clean as he satisfies his need to chew.
When a dog behaves badly, correct him immediately. If you let it fester it can only make the problem much worse and eventually the dog becomes extremely difficult to train. It is possible that your dog could injure a person, and that person could be you! So correct unwanted behavior right away.
Pay attention to the nails of your canine. Long nails cause huge amounts of pain. Nails can easily be clipped. Your local pet store will have the tool you need. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.
When obtaining a shelter dog, you need to set up an appointment with your local vet immediately. Shelter dogs could be sick or exposed to different viruses. You should also get your dog all of his shots before bringing him into your home.
When buying your dog’s food, do not get the cheap stuff. It will benefit your dog greatly if he is fed food that is nutritious and high in quality. Though better brands cost more, it is worth it to know your dog is receiving the nutrients it needs.
Take the dog to see the vet often. At regular intervals your dog needs heartworm testing, vaccinations, and general check-ups. Puppies must visit the vet more often. Never hesitate to take your dog to the vet if something seems off; remember that your dog can not tell you something is wrong.
When the weather heats up, start checking your pet for ticks and fleas daily. If you find fleas, use a flea comb and get rid of them. The market is full of products that will assist you in keeping your pet’s fleas and ticks in check. Ask your vet which are best.
You might be tempted to share your food with your dog. It might be alright to give your dog some foods, but not all foods are good for dogs. Dogs should never be given caffeine, grapes, or chocolate. These types of food are very detrimental to your dog’s health.
Don’t judge the health of your dog by his wet, cold nose. There are lots of reasons why his nose may be this way, even if he is feeling ill. Instead, monitor your dog’s health through energy levels, demeanor, and appetite. They’ll all really tell the story of your pet’s health. A rectal thermometer can be used on the dog to do a temperature check.
Always stay firm. Sometimes a dog owner feels that it’s okay to sneak them food or let them destroy a toy. This is often true with dogs that are particularly adorable. Consistency is key. You might not mind giving table scraps, but if you fail to be consistent, your dog might one day help himself to your dinner!
The bowls your dog eats and drinks from need to be washed regularly. Dogs require a clean environment to drink from just like humans. Food bowls should be cleaned on a daily basis and fresh drinking water provided.
It’s important to keep in mind that your dog is a dog, not a human. His attention span might be limited, meaning you cannot fit everything in to one training session. Keep training sessions short and sweet (just a few minutes, if that’s all that works) so that your dog won’t get frustrated and form negative associations with the training process.
You can be a great dog owner. There are other options. Keep in mind all the great tips you read here about caring for your dog.
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