Raising dogs, especially providing care for the american bulldog, is a specialty of humans across the world. Zoologists say dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that all dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, human beings have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, which vary in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest dog. But the most popular dogs are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The american bulldog is another favorite pick with canine owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of some common american bulldog care tips.
Health care cost of the american bulldog
The yearly budget for raising your american bulldog—which includes everything from nutrition and treats, to veterinary care, toys and license—can range between four hundred twenty and $780. This figure doesn’t include capital costs for spay/neuter surgery, a collar and a leash, dog carrier and crate. Note: Make sure you have all of the required supplies before you bring your american bulldog home.
Typical american bulldog Care
Feeding the american bulldog
- american bulldog pups between 8 and twelve weeks need four meals every twenty-four hours.
- Feed american bulldog puppies 3 to 6 months old three meals daily.
- Feed puppies six months old to 1 year old two meals in a day.
- When the american bulldog makes her 1st birthday, 1 meal per day is adequate.
- Some adult american bulldogs, however, do better with two smaller bowls. It’s your duty to adapt to your american bulldog’s eating tendencies.
Excellent-quality dry dogfood provides a well-rounded diet for grown american bulldogs and can mix with canned food, broth, or water. Your american bulldog may dig fruits and vegetables, cottage cheese, and cooked eggs, but these should not result in more than 10 pct of his daily allowance. american bulldog puppies should be fed a high-quality, brand-name puppy food. Try to cut down on “people food”, though, because it can result in vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth issues, and may create very finicky food choices as well as obesity. Clean, fresh water should be made only, and be certain to wash food and water bowls very frequently.
american bulldog Care Tips: Make sure your american bulldog gets some daily exercise
american bulldogs need some daily exercise to stay fit, recharge their brains, and maintain their health. Exercise also really helps american bulldogs fight boredom, which can often lead to destructive behavior. Getting out will appease many of your american bulldog’s instinctual urges to retrieve, dig, chew, chase and herd. Exercise needs are dependent on your american bulldog’s age and her level of health—but 10 minutes in the backyard and a couple of walks around the block every day probably will not be sufficient. If your american bulldog is a six to eighteen month adolescent, his requirements will probably be more.
Grooming tips for american bulldogs
You can help keep your american bulldog clean and reduce shedding with brushing. Check for fleas and ticks every day during warm weather. Most american bulldogs don’t need a bath more than a few times per year. Before giving him or her a bath, cut out or comb all mats from the american bulldog’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap residue.
Handling Your american bulldog
Pups, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to manage. While carrying your american bulldog puppy, take one of your hands and place it beneath your dog’s chest, with either the forearm or your other hand supporting her hind legs and rump. Never try to grab or lift your pup by the forelegs, back of the neck or tail. If you have to pick up a bigger, full-grown american bulldog, pick it up from the underside, bracing his chest with one of your arms and rear end with your other.
How to House the american bulldog
american bulldogs need a warm quiet spot in order to sleep away from all breezes and away from the ground or floor. You might want to think about buying a doggie bed, or feel like making one out of a wood box. Put a clean sheet, comforter, blanket, or pillow in the bed as cushioning. Wash the american bulldog’s bedding frequently. If your american bulldog will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be certain she has covering and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a covered, dry, warm area when it’s cold.
Licensing and Identification for american bulldogs
Be certain to heed your city’s licensing rules. You should affix the license to your american bulldog’s collar. This, together with an ID tag or tattoo, could help you recover your american bulldog should she become lost.
Info on american bulldog Behavior
Thoughts on american bulldog Training
Well-mannered, companion american bulldogs can be a blessing to have. But when untrained, your dog can be a big headache. Training your american bulldog on the basics—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—improves the relationship with both the pooch and your neighbors. If you’re the owner of a puppy, begin training her on the appropriate responses immediately! A snack can be used as incentive and recognition. Puppies can begin obedience class when they have been adequately immunized. Contact your local humane society or SPCA for information on training course recommendations. It is best to walk your american bulldog leashed while in public, even while a puppy. Just be certain your doggie will come back to you whenever you tell him to. An aggressive or disobedient american bulldog shouldn’t play with kids.
The Health of Your american bulldog
american bulldogs should visit the veterinarian for a complete exam, vaccinations and a heartworm blood test annualy, and as soon as possible when he is ill or injured.
Knowing Your american bulldog’s Oral Health
Although we may object to our american bulldog’s foul breath, it’s important to be aware of what it may mean. Bad breath is a sign that your american bulldog is in need of a dental exam. Dental plaque , which is brought on by unhealthy bacteria brings a foul odor that demands the help of a professional. After a cleaning done by a professional, the gums and teeth can be kept up by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can provide you with more advice on mitigating dental problems and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your american bulldog’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease,which is an infection between the gums and teeth, often affects american bulldogs. Frequently, teeth loss occurs as a result of periodontal infection. Infections can also propagate to the rest of your american bulldog’s body. The doctor will brush your american bulldog’s teeth during his typical health analysis.
Bad Breath in american bulldogs
If your american bulldog has bad breath, periodontal disease might not necessarily be the reason, as other ailments also have that symptom. Diseases of the intestines or liver also cause halitosis, whereas a fruity, sweet smell may frequently be a sign of diabetes. If your american bulldog’s breath smells of ammonia or urine, kidney disease may be the reason. If you determine your american bulldog has halitosis along with other symptoms of disease, such as diminished appetite, nausea and vomiting, loss of weight, depression, excessive drinking or urination, set an exam with his vet.
american bulldog Tick and Flea Issues
Throughout the warm seasons, it’s of utmost importance for you to perform daily checks of your american bulldog for fleas and ticks. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are many new techniques of tick and flea management. Visit your veterinarian about his or her recommendations.
Heartworm problems in american bulldogs
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and passes from a contaminated dog to your american bulldog by way of mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be fatal. It’s very important you ensure your american bulldog has a blood test for worms annually each spring. A once-a-month tablet taken in the warm, wet time of the year will help to protect your american bulldog. Your american bulldog should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some areas, usually the places with hotter temperatures, where veterinarians recommend heartworm medication be taken throughout the year.
Poisons and Medications
Remember to never give your american bulldog medicine that has not been prescribed by a vet. For example, did you know that just one regular-strength ibuprofen capsule can easily cause stomach ulcers in american bulldogs? Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your american bulldog. If you have reason to believe that your dog has consumed a poisonous substance, call your vet or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 24 hours a day for assistance.
american bulldog Sterilization Operations
It is recommended that female american bulldogs be spayed—the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—extraction of the testicles—by 6 months old. Spaying before maturity greatly diminishes the risk of breast cancer, a common and frequently fatal disorder for older female dogs. Spaying also eradicates the possibility of a sick uterus, a very serious condition in more mature females that demands intensive medical care. Prostate diseases, testicular cancer, some hernias and certain types of aggressions are all preventable by neutering males.
american bulldog Vaccinating
- Your american bulldog pup should be vaccinated with a combo vaccine (called a “five-in-one”) at two, three and four months old, and then once per year. This shot immunizes your american bulldog puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The american bulldog must be immunized for at least the first 4 months of her life.
- If you have an uninnoculized american bulldog older than 4 or 5 months, he must have a series of two innoculations two or 3 weeks apart, followed by a yearly vaccination.
- Your american bulldog pup’s socialization should coincide with his immunization program. Most veterinarians advise that new owners bring their american bulldog puppies to socialization classes, beginning at eight to nine weeks old. They should have received their first immunizations by this point.
Rules are so different around the country, the best thing is to call your community vet to get rabies innoculation details. For instance, New York City regulations declare that pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial immunization, she must have a second shot the following year, and then every three years. There are several innoculations that may or may not be appropriate for your american bulldog. Ask your american bulldog’s vet for his recommendation. Please be aware, if your american bulldog gets ill because he is not properly immunized, the shot ought to be given once your dog has recovered.
Roundworms in american bulldogs
american bulldogs are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—especially in rural areas. Eggs that carry roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through a dog’s stool. Even the healthiest of american bulldog puppies carry hookworms or roundworms. An accurate, early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medication will be highly effective against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your american bulldog’s doctor can best figure out the culprit—and decide the most effective medication.
Miscellaneous american bulldog Care Tips
american bulldog Supply Checklist
- High-quality dog food and snacks designed for american bulldogs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush & comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Box or dog bed with warm comforter or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to american bulldogs:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Grapes or raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit or stems
- Yeast dough
The scoop on poop
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in location, always keep your american bulldog on a leash. And please, when your american bulldog defecates on your neighbor’s yard, take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about american bulldogs
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