Taking care of the dog, is old hat for humans across the globe. Zoologists theorize dogs were first domesticated between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, people have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, ranging in size from 4-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of tallest dog. But the most widespread dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The dog is another favorite choice among canine owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of many common dog care tips.
Typical health care cost for your dog
The yearly budget for rearing the dog—including everything from meals, veterinary care, toys and license—can range between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This doesn’t even count capital expenses for sterilization surgery, collar and leash, a dog carrier and dog crate.
Note: Be positive you have obtained all your supplies before you bring your dog home.
Basic dog Care
Feeding the dog
- dog pups between eight and 12 weeks old need four bowls of food in a 24 hour period.
- Feed dog puppies 3 to 6 months old three meals every 24 hour period.
- Feed pups six months to 1 year old 2 meals every 24 hours.
- When the dog reaches her 1st birthday, 1 bowl in a day is sufficient.
- Some dogs might prefer 2 smaller bowls. It’s your duty to learn your dog’s eating habits.
Premium-quality dry dogfood ensures a well-rounded diet for grown dogs and may be mixed with water, canned food, or broth. Your dog may also dig cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these foods should be less than 10 pct of his or her daily food allowance.
dog pups should be fed top-quality, name brand puppy food. You should limit “table food”, though, because it can result in vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth issues, and may create some extremely finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Give clean, potable water at all times, and make sure to clean water and food dishes very regularly.
dog Care Tips: Make sure to get your dog plenty of daily physical activity
dogs must have exercise so they can burn calories, recharge their minds, and maintain their health. Daily physical activity also really helps dogs fight boredom, which would often lead to naughty behavior. Playing outside can curb most of your dog’s instinctual urges to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd.
Exercise needs are dependent on your dog’s age and his level of health—but ten minutes outside and just a walk down the street every day probably won’t be enough. If your dog is a 6 to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will be much more.
dog Grooming
You can help reduce shedding and keep your dog clean with regular brushing. Check for ticks and fleas every day during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes dogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times a year. Prior to the bath, cut out or comb all mats from the dog’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
Handling Your dog
Puppies are clearly the easiest to manage. While carrying your dog puppy, take 1 hand and put it under your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or your other hand supporting his hind legs and rear. Never attempt to lift or grab your pup by his front legs, back of the neck or tail. When you need to pick up a larger, adult dog, pick it up from underneath, holding his chest with one arm and rump with your other.
Housing the dog
dogs need a cozy quiet location to sleep apart from all the drafts and away from the floor or ground. You may wish to purchase a dog bed, or try making one out of a wooden box. Place a clean sheet, blanket, comforter, or pillow inside the bed as cushion. Wash your dog’s bed covering often. If the dog will be outdoors much, be sure he has plenty of cool water and shade in the summer, and a covered, dry, warm shelter in winter.
dog Licensing
There are licensing rules to follow in your town. Be sure you attach the license to your dog’s collar. The license, together with an identification tag, can easily help secure your dog’s return should she go missing.
dog Behavior Info
About Training your dog
Well-mannered, companion dogs can be a pleasure to raise. However, when untrained, your dog could be a lot of trouble. Training your dog on the basics—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—will improve your relationship both with your dog and your house guests. If you’re the owner of a puppy, start training him on the right behavior as soon as humanly possible! Use doggie snacks as recognition and incentive. Pups should commence obedience courses when they are sufficiently immunized. Call the local humane society or SPCA for obedience schools.
Always keep your dog on a leash when, even as a puppy. Be certain your doggie will come back to you when you call her. An aggressive or disobedient dog can’t play with other people.
dog Health
Your dog should see the vet for a full check-up, vaccinations and heartworm test annualy, and ASAP when she is ill or hurt.
dog Dental Health
Although we may object to our dog’s bad breath, we must be aware of what it might be a symptom of. Foul breath usually means that your dog should have a dental exam. Plaque triggered by bacteria creates a foul stench that can only be eliminated by treatment by a professional. After a cleaning done by a professional, the teeth and gums may be maintained by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. Your vet can supply you with additional information on minimizing oral ailments and halitosis.
You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your dog’s teeth. You can clean them with a nylon pantyhose wrapped around the finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, sometimes affects dogs. Often, tooth loss takes place because of gum infection. Infections can also propagate to the rest of your dog’s body. The vet may clean his teeth as a regular part of your dog’s health physical.
dog Halitosis
Although the foul odors caused by periodontal disease may not be very serious if caught early enough, sometimes bad breath may indicate serious, persistent causes for concern. A fruity, even pleasant smell may often be a sign of diabetes, while diseases of the intestines or liver may cause foul breath. When your dog’s breath smells like urine or ammonia, kidney disease is a possible cause. Whenever you find your dog has smelly breath accompanied by other symptoms of ill health, like diminished appetite, vomiting, weight loss, bad mood, too much urinating or drinking, schedule a visit to her vet.
Fleas and Ticks in dogs
Throughout the summer, it’s important for you to perform daily inspections of your dog for fleas and ticks. Remove and find fleas using a flea comb. There are several new technologies of flea and tick management. Speak with your veterinarian about his or her options.
dogs With Heartworm Issues
Your dog is at risk of developing heartworms if he is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. The insect transports heartworms from dog to dog. Heartworm infestations are known to be deadly. Your dog should have a heartworm screen each spring—this is necessary to detect infections from the past year. A monthly tablet given in the warm, wet time of the year can help to protect your dog. If you ever vacation south with your dog in winter, he should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the milder climates, veterinarians recommend preventative heartworm medication be taken continually.
Toxins and Medications
Do not ever give your dog medication that hasn’t been prescribed by a veterinarian. As little as one ibuprofen tablet is known to create stomach ulcers in dogs. Make sure your dog is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Make sure you call your dog’s doctor when you have cause to think your dog has ingested a poisonous substance. You could also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hour help.
dog Sterilization Procedures
Female dogs should be spayed—which is the extraction of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—removal of the testicles—by 6 months old. You can greatly diminish your female’s risk of breast cancer by spaying before adulthood. Spaying also eliminates the risk of an infected uterus, a traumatic issue in older females that demands surgery. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggressions are preventable by neutering male dogs.
Vaccinating your dog
- The combination vaccine (also called the “five-in-one shot”) must be given to your dog at two, 3, and 4 months of age and then once every year. This vaccine protects your pup from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your dog must be vaccinated for at least the first 4 months of his life.
- If you have an unvaccinated dog older than four or 5 months, she must get a set of two immunizations given 2 to three weeks apart, followed by a yearly immunization.
- Your dog puppy’s innoculations should coincide with his socialization program. Many doctors recommend that new owners take their dog puppies to socialization courses, as early as 8 or nine weeks of age. They should have received their first vaccinations by then.
Since statutes are so different around the country, contact a local vet to get instructions about rabies immunization. For instance, in NYC, the rule states that all pets older than three months of age to be vaccinated for rabies. After the original shot, he must get another immunization the following year, and then every three years.
There are several innoculations that could be right for your dog. Your vet can give you her recommendation.
By the way, if your dog gets ill because he is not properly innoculated, the innoculation needs to be given after your companion animal is better.
Intestinal Worms in dogs
dogs are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Tiny eggs created by roundworms are transmitted through an infected dog’s feces. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry roundworms or hookworms.
Getting an accurate, early detection is the key to treatment. This will make certain that the medicine is effective against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best define the culprit—and decide the best medication.
Miscellaneous dog Care Tips
Checklist of dog Supplies
- High-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for dogs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb & brush for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with sheet or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to dogs:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, chives & garlic
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit and stems
- Dough
The “Bottom” Line
Keep your dog on a leash when you are outside, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in location. And please, when your dog defecates on your neighbor’s yard, clean it up!
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