Dogs are wonderful pets. They are reliable, loyal, and often very loving to their owners. Many people, over time, begin to see their dog as another member of their family. Therefore, you must care for your pet in the best way possible to ensure that they live a healthy, happy, and productive life. The following tips will help you as you attempt to raise and care for a canine companion.
If the cost of your dog’s high-quality food is a burden for your family, team up with another one and buy in bulk. The big-name pet store chains offer top-rated names in pet cuisine at a significant discount when bought in larger quantities. You can minimize the cost for you and some friends while still providing your dogs with fresh and wholesome meals.
Whenever you travel with your pet, don’t skimp on the packing. Of course, you need to be well supplied with his food, water, and any medications he may be on, but experts advise that you also bring his grooming supplies, vaccination paperwork, tags, and an extra leash. Also, bring a flat sheet for when your dog will be on hotel furniture.
Never bring your dog with you while flying during the hot summer months unless the airline provides a climate-controlled cabin for him. Most major carriers use the same area for pets as they do for cargo, meaning your dog will have to endure pretty high temperatures as you travel to your destination, jeopardizing his safety.
Always make sure to keep any prescription medications away from your dog. The same holds for over-the-counter meds. Your dog could be seriously injured or killed by ingesting a couple of small pills. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.
If you are thinking about adopting a dog, try taking a couple of weeks off work to spend some time with your puppy and teach it a few good habits. Training your puppy and helping it get used to its new environment will be much easier if you are home.
Be careful around Christmas time with a dog in your home; it’s the busiest time at 24/7 animal clinics! Things like hanging and tree lights pose a danger to your dog, as they could become tangled or gnaw their way down to bare wires. The loveliest of Christmas plants are hazardous to a dog’s health, so take extra care during holidays.
Keep your dog warm during winter with the latest canine fashion and accessories. You may think it’s just for show, but dogs also need protection from the elements! Keeping your dog’s paw-pads dry is essential to their health in sub-freezing weather, so invest in suede or leather footwear and pick him up a coat while you’re at it. Make them instead if you are creative!
Don’t assume your toy-sized dog’s bite isn’t dangerous just because he’s little. Many owners brush off training, thinking that the smaller breed dog can get away with a little bad behavior, and this isn’t true. As a responsible canine master, you’ve got to make sure your dog does not threaten anyone by having him well trained.
Like humans, dogs need to get a good amount of exercise every day. If your dog does not get the exercise it needs, its health will decline, and so will his attitude towards life. Take the time to exercise your dog for at least a half-hour each day for the best results.
Respect your pet. When out on a walk, do not force your dog to interact with other people or animals if he does not want to. There is a reason why your dog may not want to get too close, and you must listen to him. If you try and make him interact, your dog may begin to act out over time.
When you own a dog, you typically understand the general costs of ownership, such as food, vet visits, and grooming. A generally overlooked cost is emergencies. Although it may not happen frequently, you should have a bit of money set aside for any emergency. It’s better to be prepared for an emergency vet visit than to wonder how you will pay for it.
Tag your dog with proper identification to ensure that you can bring him home if he is lost. A common way to find a lost dog is to ensure it has a collar with an ID tag. Include your dog’s name and your phone number on the tag. Additionally, you can put a micro-chip on your dog.
Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,” “Heel,” “Sit,” and “Stay” can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself or learn about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.
Take your dog to the vet regularly. Your pet will need to go to the vet to get tested for heartworms, get a general check-up, and see if the shots are still updated. Puppies must visit the vet more often. If your dog seems sick or hurt, you should go to the vet immediately.
Use an olive oil spray to keep your dog’s dish sparkling clean. Particularly if you feed him canned food, it can quickly cake up and dry on the inside of the bowl, making it hard to wash later. As a bonus, the olive oil will help keep his coat shiny.
Dogs and the people they belong to develop an extraordinary bond often. You owe it to your pet to do everything you can to ensure they are safe and happy while in your care. The advice included in this article will give you a head start on making sure you give your dog the life that it deserves.
