Lots of folks have pets now, or have had them in the past. If you are contemplating dog ownership or already have a dog, there are many things you ought to know. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find top notch advice that’ll help you to care for your dog.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. Every dog is going to need supplies, good food, and will also need medical care. After all is said and done this could cost about $800 or more. It can cost a lot of money to take your dog to the vet in an emergency, so you will want to investigate health insurance for your pet.
It’s good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. They eat garbage or poop and even sniff other dog’s butts. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. It simply is not the case.
You need to have a physical every year, and so does your dog. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. A veterinary checkup can speak when your dog cannot, and it might help you to detect health problems before they become severe.
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print “lost” flyers.
Flea Treatments
Be wary when it comes to flea treatments. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Talk to your vet to learn about flea treatments that are safer and more family friendly, and always keep flea medication out of reach of children.
Don’t allow your dog to leave your property without being on a leash even if you think your dog is well behaved. Wild animals could get the dog’s attention and lead him into dangerous places, or unanticipated circumstances could provoke conflicts with others. It is your job to keep your dog safe, and to keep him from harming anyone else or causing anyone problems.
Schedule a vet appointment before adopting a shelter dog. Shelter dogs may have come into contact with viruses or may be ill already. Error on the side of caution and get your dog all its shots.
Always teach your dog to walk properly on a leash. He should stay by your side, not in front of or behind you, and respond to the command “heel”. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. Your dog needs to get used to this.
If your dog has separation anxiety or you wish to be really nice to them, keep music on while you are going to work. Having noise will help your dog feel more secure and comfortable while you are away. When it comes to treating your pet’s anxiety, a little music could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Keep a close eye on a female dog when she’s in heat to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. A male dog can smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. Your dog could get into fights with other dogs or become pregnant.
Bring your dog to a veterinarian regularly. Dogs must see their vet for full exams, vaccinations and routine testing. When you own a puppy, you may need to see a vet more often. At the first sign of illness or if your dog is injured, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet.
If you already own a dog and are getting another one, have the two meet before bringing the new one home. Dogs are quite social, but sometimes two particular dogs just are not compatible with each other. Finding a compatible dog will save you anguish and trouble.
It is important that you find out before you do this in your dog’s life. Do not adopt a puppy simply because it is cute. Think it through carefully and talk to friends with dogs so you fully understand all that is involved.
Some vitamins can be bad for your dog’s health. Don’t give your dog extra vitamins if he’s eating a well-balanced diet. Too much of certain vitamins could cause damage to the blood vessels, bones and joints. Before you begin giving your dog any vitamins or supplements, make sure that you check with your vet first.
Having read the information above, you should now possess a solid understanding of dog care. Use these different tips and do more research on the things you need to know about to properly take care of your dog. Read this article over as many times as you must.
