Would you like to save a little puppy from the pound? Are you interesting in getting a pure bred dog? Whether you want a show dog or a loving old mutt, bringing a dog into your life will supply you with hours of love. Responsibility comes with that love, so check out the following article to help you understand what’s involved in caring for your pet.
Hugs are great to give your pets, but kisses are not that great. Your dog’s mouth is fairly dirty at any given time. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. Many people say that dogs have cleaner mouths than people. This is completely wrong!
Just like humans benefit from an annual physical, your dog should see the vet at least once a year. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. Making an annual trip to the vet is the best way to discover and deal with these kinds of problems when they’re still manageable.
Spay or neuter your dog. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. Besides, a neutered dog will be less likely to run away or to get in fights with other animals.
Consult with your vet about the types of foods that are good for your dog. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Use your vets advice and common sense to feed your dog properly.
Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Real bones can splinter and can get caught in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract. Rawhide is a great treat you can use in lieu of real bones.
Grooming your dog every day will ensure it doesn’t shed all over the place. Brushing daily can ensure your dog’s coat is shiny and healthy looking. When you brush fur, you’re also spreading around the oils that help keep your pet’s coat looking shiny and healthy.
If you’re adopting your pet from a shelter, it’s important that you take it to see a vet immediately. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to viruses or might already be sick. That is why it’s important to have a full checkup and a course of vaccinations before you bring your puppy home.
When you buy dog food, avoid the cheap stuff. Your dog will benefit from eating healthy, quality food. While this could mean paying more for higher-end brands, your dog’s proper health will be guaranteed through eating healthfully.
Certain health issues plague particular dog breeds, and you need to know what those conditions are for the type of dog you own. Check your dog’s genetic background if possible to determine if he is more likely to develop certain medical conditions. You can also speak with the vet about steps you can take to increase their lifespan.
After reading this article, you have been supplied with the information necessary to bring the new family member home! Use online resources, which change fairly frequently, to learn as much as you can about dog ownership. You can go to message boards to find out from other people who are new and fist time dog owners. There’s always more to learn about caring for dogs, so get in the habit of educating yourself!