Would you like to save a little puppy from the pound? Or do you prefer to get a dog from a dog breeder? Any dog will enrich your life, whether it is a plain old mixed breed or comes with a fancy pedigree. Responsibility comes with that love, so check out the following article to help you understand what’s involved in caring for your pet.
It can cost a lot to take care of a dog. Food, vet care and supplies can add up quickly. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. Many people believe that dogs’ mouths do not have as much germs as humans’ mouths. It certainly isn’t the truth.
Be sure to keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets. Even if the dog were to eat a couple of pills, it could have very life threatening effects. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Speak with your vet to determine whether or not certain foods are okay to give to your dog. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.
Rawhide bones are the best options for your dog. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Rawhide is healthy and good for their teeth, so don’t share that T-bone no matter what faces they make.
Do not try to feed your dog something they do not like. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. It will take you a little while to figure out what your dog likes and what he doesn’t, but you’ll get the hang of it.
Trim your dog’s nails regularly. The nails can cause the dog discomfort if they start to curl under. You can buy clippers in a pet store and do them yourself. Can’t hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.
The cheapest dog food may not always be the best buy when considering what food to feed your dog. It will benefit your dog greatly if he is fed food that is nutritious and high in quality. You’ll have to pay more, but you can be certain your dog gets the right vitamins and minerals from good sources.
Make sure you heed the vet’s instructions when it comes to medications and special care requirements. He may want out of that cone immediately, but he needs to keep wearing it! If your veterinarian recommends something, it’s because it’s what’s best for your dog. If you ignore recommendations, your dog could have some major health issues.
Certain health issues plague particular dog breeds, and you need to know what those conditions are for the type of dog you own. Research his background and prepare for problems he might have. You can also speak with the vet about steps you can take to increase their lifespan.
It’s time to bring Fido home. Keep learning more about owning dogs if you have any further questions on the subject. Think about joining online forums to talk about dogs with other dog owners. Do not ever stop teaching your dog.
