If you take care of your dog, you will enjoy him more. The trick is to acquire an understanding of what dogs need to truly thrive. Keep reading to learn more about the many things you can do to keep your dog happy.
If you’re taking your dog on a trip, be sure that you have a recent picture of them on-hand. This way, if you find out that your dog went missing along the way, you will have a recent picture that you can show to people when you go out to look for you pet.
Ask your vet what kinds of foods you should feed to your dog and what to stay away from. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.
If you’re trying to figure out what type of dog you might want to get, take a look at your lifestyle. If you are a hunter for example, perhaps a retriever is the dog for you. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. By selecting the right dog breed, both you and your dog will be more content.
If you want to keep your dog outside, build him or her a small shelter. If the dog gets wet feet that could make him stressed out and cause other health problems as well. Keep your dog safe from precipitation and winds by providing him with a place that is spacious, with a dry floor.
Speak with a vet as soon as possible if you are adopting a dog. Shelters expose dogs to a number of illnesses, and your pet could be ill already. Make sure the new puppy gets their required shots before going home.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food you can find. In the long term, it’s crucial to feed healthy, high-quality food to your dog. While this could mean that you’re going to have to pay more money, you can know that you’re doing the best for your dog to keep it healthy.
Alone Outside
Your dog should not be left alone outside all day. While this is what many people do, dogs require socialization with people and/or other animals. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. Plus, bad weather can be health and even life threatening to your pet.
If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. Your dog won’t like a cone, but he has to wear it. Your vet will recommend things that are good for the health of your dog, so make sure that you follow his advice.
Dogs need to be exercised physically and mentally in order to stay healthy. Find ways for your dog to help you each day, such as training it to fetch the morning paper. Your dog will feel like a useful member of the family, and the reinforcement will keep his training sharp.
If you do not want your female dog to become pregnant, be careful with her when she goes into heat. A male dog can smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. Your dog could cause some fights and you will be responsible for finding new homes for the puppies if your dog gets pregnant.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas every day when the weather gets warm. Use a flea comb on your dog’s fur. There are a lot of available products that can control fleas and ticks on your dog. Try talking to your vet about these products or other available options.
If you’re adding a second dog to your home, try to let your first dog meet the second before bringing it home. Dogs are usually social creatures, but sometimes they just won’t get along. You can prevent future problems if you are able to get a dog that is compatible with the dog you already have.
Even a properly contained, outdoor dogs need a lot of attention. Your dog will acquire poor habits like digging or barking if it’s left isolated for too long. He may also become a little aggressive. Make sure that dog gets playtime and lots of love to be as happy as can be.
The bowls your dog eats and drinks from need to be washed regularly. Just like you do not want to continuously eat and drink from bowls that are not very clean, your dog doesn’t either. Wash bowls daily and put in fresh water and food afterwards.
Dogs bring joy to all they meet. It is very vital that you know what is going to make your dog happy. Hopefully what you learned today offered some valuable insights on how to properly care for your furry companion.
