Caring for a dog is a huge responsibility. What will your dog eat? Where will your dog sleep? Who will take of him while you are at work? What vet will you use when he is sick? These are some of the things that you must think about.
Owning a dog can be fun, but it can also be costly. Dog food, toys, training and vet visits can all add up. This is something you should think about if you are on a tight budget.
When you are ready to take on the responsibility of owning a dog, here are some aspects of dog care you should be aware of in order to ensure you raise a happy, healthy dog.
Feeding
A dog cannot choose his own food, so it depends on its owner to make the right choice to meet a dog’s nutritional needs. A trip to your local pet store will result in many types of dog food to choose from. Which one is best for your dog? If your dog is still a puppy, you will want a dog food formulated for puppies. Purina Puppy Chow is the most well-known puppy food, although there are some other brands available. Other dogs should eat a dog food fortified with vitamins and minerals. Check the ingredients of various dog foods. A good choice would be one that has meat as the first ingredient. Avoid any that contains corn or sugar as the main ingredient. These are fillers that do not provide much nutrition for your dog. A local vet or breeder can recommend a good food for your dog. If your dog is underweight or overweight, ask the vet about a specially formulated food.
Puppies up to 12 weeks old should eat four times a day. After that, they can be reduced to three meals per day. Once a dog turns six months old, they are fine with two meals a day. After dogs reach a year, feedings can be reduced to one meal per day, although some dog owners prefer to continue feeding two small meals per day.
Fresh water should be available to dogs at all times. Water helps with a dog’s digestive systems and keeps the organs functioning properly.
Housing
Even house dogs should have a crate to sleep in or at least a comfortable dog bed. If you use towels or blankets, be sure to wash them often. If the dog stays outdoors, provide him with a dog house or other type of covered area so he can stay in the shade during the hot summer months and stay dry when it rains.
Exercise
Just like humans, dogs need exercise for good health. Exercise and play help let out pent-up energy. It can also strengthen the bond between dog and owner, as dogs love to spend time with their owners. If dogs are locked up all day without exercise, they can become bored and destructive. You should let your dog out several times a day to play. A walk is sufficient for some dogs, while some prefer to play fetch or run around. Observe your dog to see how he likes to play. Some prefer tennis balls, while others may like chew toys best. Ceser Millan has a list of types of exercise and games you can play with a dog.
Grooming
Some breeds of dogs, such as poodles, require frequent grooming, while others require minor brushing every month or so. Brushing often will reduce shedding. While brushing your dog, check for fleas and ticks, which can be bothersome to a dog. Most dogs need to be bathed only a few times a year. When bathing, use a shampoo specially designed for dogs. Be sure to fully rinse the dog before drying.
Vet visits
If you notice changes in your dog’s appearance or behavior, take him to the vet for a checkup. A dog should also visit the vet if he is injured or requires immunizations. Even if your dog is healthy, an annual vet visit is recommended to detect any diseases before they spread and cause serious illness in the dog.
A puppy should be taken to the vet before he or she reaches six months of age to be neutered or spayed. In addition to preventing unwanted puppy litters, neutering and spaying also reduces a dog’s risk of contracting certain cancers.
If you want to breed your dog, discuss this option with your vet. Only purebred dogs with excellent genetic backgrounds should be bred. Take a look at your dog’s pedigree and look for any inheritable diseases that may run in the dog’s family. Your dog should also have eye, joint and elbow tests done before breeding to ensure that she is healthy enough to reproduce. For most breeds of dogs, it is recommended that you wait until the dog has had three heats, or is 18 months of age, before breeding, as dogs are still growing and developing up until this time.
Medications
Heartworms, fleas and ticks are common in dogs, especially in those that live near bodies of water or swim often. Your dog should be on a heartworm medication. You can buy it from your vet or buy it online at a number of pet stores to include 1-800-PetMeds. Make sure to get a prescription from your vet and shop around. You can often get it cheaper online, especially if you buy in bulk.
Flea and tick medication should be applied on dogs every month. No prescription is required for it and it can be found at many retailers. Even some supermarkets carry low-cost flea and tick medications in the pet care aisle. However, if you are looking for a brand name, such as Frontline or Advantage, buy from pet store chains including Petsmart or Petco. There are also many online pet stores that carry flea and tick medication, such as 1-800-PetMeds and Drs. Foster and Smith.
Safety
If your dog is allowed in the house, keep toxic objects away from him. Do a sweep of the floors and clean up any items that the dog may chew up or eat. Dogs should not eat chocolate, as it is considered toxic. Keep all people food away from dogs. Some types of meat bones are fine, but avoid feeding dogs chicken bones, as they are small and easily splinter, which can cause a dog to choke. Keep cleaners, soaps, chemicals and other toxic items away from dogs.
As you can see, there are many things you should know about dog care. For more information, the ASPCA has many articles about pet care.
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