Raising dogs, especially providing care for the kerry blue terrier, is a specialty of humans across the world. Experts speculate that dogs were first domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all dogs evolved from the wolf. Since then, we have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the distinction of tallest canine. But the most widespread pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The kerry blue terrier is also a favorite choice among dog owners. Some owners are misinformed, however, of some crucial kerry blue terrier care tips.
Typical health care cost of the kerry blue terrier
The annual budget for rearing the kerry blue terrier—to include everything from nutrition and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between $420 and $780. This doesn’t even include capital costs for spay/neuter procedures, dog collar and a leash, carrier and a doggie crate. Tip: Make sure you have all your supplies before getting your kerry blue terrier home.
Typical kerry blue terrier Care
How To Feed your kerry blue terrier
- kerry blue terrier pups between eight and 12 weeks old need four bowls of food a day.
- Feed kerry blue terrier pups three to 6 months old 3 meals every day.
- Feed pups six months to one year two meals in a 24 hour period.
- By the time the kerry blue terrier hits his 1st birthday, 1 bowl daily is sufficient.
- Many times adult kerry blue terriers might do better with 2 smaller meals. It’s your duty to learn your kerry blue terrier’s eating schedule.
Top-quality dry food ensures a balanced diet for full-grown kerry blue terriers and can mix with broth, water, or canned food. Your kerry blue terrier may like cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these foods should not result in more than ten percent of his daily food. kerry blue terrier puppies ought to be fed excellent-quality, brand-name puppy food. You should limit “table food”, though, since it can result in mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth concerns, and may create some extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Give clean, potable water exclusively, and make sure to wash water and food dishes very often.
kerry blue terrier Care Tips: Make sure your kerry blue terrier gets plenty of daily physical activity
kerry blue terriers need daily physical activity so they can burn calories, recharge their brains, and stay healthy. Daily activity also seems to help kerry blue terriers fight boredom, which often has the potential to lead to to naughty behavior. Going outside would cure most of your kerry blue terrier’s instinctual urges to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Individual exercise needs will depend on your kerry blue terrier’s age and his level of health—but just a couple of walks around the block every day and ten minutes outside probably isn’t enough. If your kerry blue terrier is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be much higher.
kerry blue terrier Grooming Tips
You can help keep your kerry blue terrier clean and reduce shedding with regular brushing. Check for ticks and fleas every day during the summer or other warm weather. Many kerry blue terriers don’t need a bath more than a few times a year. Prior to bathing, comb or cut out all mats from the kerry blue terrier’s hair. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your kerry blue terrier
Pups are clearly easier to manage. When carrying your kerry blue terrier pup, take 1 hand and put it under your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting his or her back legs and rear. Never try to lift or grab your pup by the front legs, tail or nape. If you need to lift a larger, full-grown kerry blue terrier, lift from underneath, bracing her chest with 1 arm and rear end with the other arm.
kerry blue terrier housing
Your kerry blue terrier needs a cozy quiet location to relax apart from all breezes and away from the ground or floor. You might want to think about purchasing a doggie bed, or make one out of a wood box. Put a clean sheet or pillow inside the bed as cushion. Wash the kerry blue terrier’s bedding often. If your kerry blue terrier will be outdoors much, be sure she has access to plenty of cool water and covering in the summer, and a covered, dry, warm area in the cold.
kerry blue terrier Identification
Your city has licensing rules to follow. You should attach the license to your kerry blue terrier’s collar. This, along with an ID tag or tattoo, may help secure your kerry blue terrier’s return should he go missing.
kerry blue terrier Temperament Info
About Training your kerry blue terrier
Well-mannered, companion kerry blue terriers can be a blessing. However, when untrained, your kerry blue terrier may be a headache. Teaching your kerry blue terrier the minimums—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—strengthens the relationship with both the kerry blue terrier and your relatives. If you’re the owner of a pup, begin training her on manners as soon as possible! Use doggie snacks as an incentive and a reward. Pups should commence obedience classes when they are sufficiently vaccinated. Contact your local humane society or SPCA for details about training classes. It is best to walk your kerry blue terrier on a leash while in public, even as a puppy. Just be certain your doggie will come back to you every time you tell him to. A disobedient or aggressive kerry blue terrier shouldn’t play with other people.
Knowing Your kerry blue terrier’s Health
kerry blue terriers should visit the vet for a thorough diagnosis, immunizations and heartworm exam each year, and immediately when he is ill or hurt.
About your kerry blue terrier’s Oral Health
Although we might object to our kerry blue terrier’s halitosis, we should be aware of what it may be telling us. Foul-smelling breath is a symptom that your kerry blue terrier needs an oral screening. Plaque triggered by unhealthy bacteria results in a bad smell that can only be freshened with treatment by a professional. Once your kerry blue terrier has had a professional dental cleaning, his teeth and gums may be maintained in a healthy state by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. The vet can provide you more data for mitigating dental disease as well as stinky breath. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your kerry blue terrier’s teeth. You can brush them with a sterile gauze pad, a piece of nylon stocking wrapped around your finger, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, sometimes affects kerry blue terriers. Frequently, loss of teeth occurs due to periodontal infection. Infections can possibly also spread to other areas of your kerry blue terrier’s body. The vet will most likely brush his teeth as a regular part of your kerry blue terrier’s health appointment.
Bad Breath in kerry blue terriers
Even though bad breath due to dental disease may not be serious if found early, sometimes odors may be indicative of serious, chronic causes for concern. Liver or intestinal diseases also cause bad breath, whereas a fruity, sweet smell can be indicative of diabetes. If your kerry blue terrier’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease might be the reason. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your kerry blue terrier has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in kerry blue terriers
Daily, regular inspections of your kerry blue terrier for ticks and fleas during the summer are critical. Remove and find fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new procedures of tick and flea elimination. Ask your kerry blue terrier’s doctor about his or her options.
Heartworm problems in kerry blue terriers
Your kerry blue terrier is at risk of developing heartworms if he is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. The insect carries heartworms from dog to dog. Heartworm infections are deadly. It is wise to make sure your kerry blue terrier has a heartworm screen every single spring—this is important for catching infestations from the past year. It is also good to give your kerry blue terrier a once-a-month tablet throughout the warm, wet time of the year in order to protect him from heartworms. Should you ever vacation in warmer regions with your kerry blue terrier in the winter, your dog needs to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. There are some locations, usually the regions with hotter temperatures, where doctors recommend parasite tablets be given throughout the year.
Toxins and Medications
Never give your kerry blue terrier medication that hasn’t been prescribed by his vet. For example, are you aware that 1 ibuprofen pill can sometimes cause ulcers in some dogs Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your kerry blue terrier. Make sure you immediately call your kerry blue terrier’s vet if you believe your kerry blue terrier has been exposed to a poisonous substance. You could also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hr. help.
kerry blue terrier Reproductive Surgery
It is recommended that female kerry blue terriers be spayed—which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—extraction of the testicles—by six months old. Spaying before maturity greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer, which is a frequently deadly and common disease of more mature female kerry blue terriers. The possibility of a diseased uterus, which is also a serious affliction that impacts older females, can also be eliminated by spaying when young. Neutering males prevents testicular diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
kerry blue terrier Immunizations
- The combo vaccine (also called the “5-in-1 shot”) must be given to your kerry blue terrier at 2, three, and four months old and then once every year. This shot immunizes your puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your kerry blue terrier must be innoculated for at least the first 4 months of her life.
- If your kerry blue terrier has not been innoculated and is older than four months, she will need 2 vaccinations promptly, two to 3 weeks apart. Then you must immunize annualy.
- Your kerry blue terrier puppy’s socialization should coincide with her vaccination program. Many doctors advise that new owners bring their kerry blue terrier pups to socialization classes, as early as 8 or nine weeks of age. At this point, they should have received at least their first series of vaccines.
Because laws vary so much around the country, contact your community doctor to get info about rabies vaccination. As an example, NYC statutes declare that pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. The original rabies innoculation must be followed up by a subsequent shot the next year, and then every 3 years after that. There are several innoculations, many of which are right for your kerry blue terrier. Others, however, are not. Ask your kerry blue terrier’s vet for her recommendation. Another thing, if your kerry blue terrier happens to get sick because she is not immunized, the vaccination ought to be given once your dog is better.
Roundworms in kerry blue terriers
kerry blue terriers are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—especially in rural areas. Tiny eggs created by hookworms and roundworms are transmitted through an infected dog’s feces. Most puppies, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry roundworms or hookworms. The secret to effective treatment is early detection. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be successful against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best figure out the culprit—and decide the appropriate medicine.
kerry blue terrier Care Tips: Additional Information
kerry blue terrier Supply Checklist
- Top-quality dog food and snacks designed for kerry blue terriers and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush & comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with sheet or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to kerry blue terriers:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins and grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit or stems
- Dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured spot, always keep your kerry blue terrier on a leash. And please, when your kerry blue terrier defecates on your neighbor’s grass, take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about kerry blue terriers
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