Owning dogs, especially providing care for the lhasa apso, is a specialty of people across the globe. Zoologists speculate that dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since those days, we have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which vary in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the title of the tallest pooch. But the most preferred pooches are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The lhasa apso is also a favorite pick with canine owners. Many owners are uninformed, however, of many of the most critical lhasa apso care tips.
Health care cost for the lhasa apso
The yearly cost of providing for the lhasa apso—to include everything from meals and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—can vary between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This does not even account for capital costs for sterilization operations, a collar and a leash, a dog carrier and a doggie crate. Note: Make sure you have all your items before getting your lhasa apso home.
Typical lhasa apso Care
lhasa apso Feeding Outline
- lhasa apso puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old need four meals in a day.
- lhasa apso puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed three meals daily.
- Feed puppies six months old to 1 year 2 times in a twenty-four hour period.
- When the lhasa apso hits his or her 1st birthday, one feeding every 24 hours is all that’s necessary.
- Sometimes lhasa apsos, however, eat two smaller meals. It is your duty to adapt to your lhasa apso’s eating habits.
Excellent-quality dry dog food ensures balanced nutrition to grown lhasa apsos and may be mixed with broth, canned food, or water. Your lhasa apso may dig cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these additions should be less than 10 pct of his daily allowance. lhasa apso puppies need to be fed excellent-quality, name brand puppy food. You should cut down on “table food”, however, because it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, tooth and bone problems, and may result in some extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Clean, potable water should be available only, and be certain to clean water and food dishes frequently.
lhasa apso Care Tips: Make sure your lhasa apso gets plenty of daily exercise
lhasa apsos must have some exercise so they can stay healthy, recharge their brains, and maintain their health. Physical activity also really helps lhasa apsos fight boredom, which would often lead to naughty behavior. Getting out of the house would satisfy many of your lhasa apso’s desires to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Exercise needs are dependent on your lhasa apso’s level of health and his or her age—but 10 minutes in the backyard and a couple of walks around the block every day probably won’t be sufficient. If your lhasa apso is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will be higher.
lhasa apso Grooming Tips
You can help reduce shedding and keep your lhasa apso clean with brushing. Check for ticks and fleas daily during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes lhasa apsos don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Prior to bathing, cut out or comb any and all mats from the lhasa apso’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap residue.
Handling Your lhasa apso
Puppies are obviously the easiest to manage. When carrying the lhasa apso pup, take 1 hand and put it under the dog’s chest, with either the forearm or your other hand supporting the back legs and rear. Don’t ever try to lift or grab your puppy by his front legs, back of the neck or tail. When you must lift a larger, full-grown lhasa apso, lift from the underside, supporting her chest with one arm and rear end with the other arm.
How to House the lhasa apso
lhasa apsos need a comfortable peaceful location to be able to relax away from all the breezes and away from the ground. You might want to buy a dog bed, or feel like making one from a wooden box. Put a clean blanket or pillow inside the bed. Wash the lhasa apso’s bed covering frequently. If the lhasa apso will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure he has plenty of cool water and shade in the summer, and a warm, dry, covered shelter in the cold.
lhasa apso Identification
Follow the community’s licensing regulations. Make sure you affix the license to your lhasa apso’s collar. The license, together with an ID tattoo or tag, will most likely help secure your lhasa apso’s return should she get lost.
lhasa apso Temperament Facts
Thoughts on lhasa apso Training
A well-mannered, companion lhasa apso can be a a joy. But left untrained, your lhasa apso will most likely be trouble. Teaching your lhasa apso the fundamentals—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen your relationship with both the pooch and the friends. If you have a puppy, start training her on the appropriate behavior quickly! Use snacks as an incentive and a reward. Puppies should begin obedience classes when they are sufficiently vaccinated. Call the local humane society or SPCA for information about obedience courses. Always keep your lhasa apso leashed while in public, even as a puppy. Just be sure your dog will come to you at all times whenever you tell him to. A disobedient or aggressive lhasa apso cannot play with other people.
Knowing Your lhasa apso’s Health
lhasa apsos should visit the vet for a complete screening, immunizations and heartworm exam annualy, and ASAP if she is injured or ill.
The Dental Health of Your lhasa apso
Although we might object to our lhasa apso’s halitosis, we should pay attention to what it may represent. Halitosis is a symptom that your lhasa apso requires an oral check up. Dental plaque , which is brought on by unhealthy bacteria results in a bad smell that demands professional treatment. After you give your lhasa apso a professional dental cleaning, her mouth can be kept healthy by brushing regularly, feeding a special diet focused on dental health, and eliminating table food. Your veterinarian can provide you with other data for minimizing periodontal ailments as well as halitosis. You can easily brush the lhasa apso’s teeth with a dog paste or a baking-soda-and-water paste twice weekly. You can brush them with a sterile gauze pad, a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched across the finger, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Periodontal disease,which is an infection between the teeth and gums, often affects lhasa apsos. Sometimes, tooth loss takes place due to periodontal disease. Infections can sometimes also spread to other areas of your lhasa apso’s body. Your vet usually will clean the lhasa apso’s teeth during his regular health exam.
lhasa apso Bad Breath
Even though periodontal disease by itself is not critical when it is found early, the foul odors may also indicate fairly serious, persistent problems. Intestinal or liver diseases sometimes cause halitosis, whereas a sweet, even pleasant smell may often be indicative of diabetes. If your lhasa apso’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease may be the reason. If ever you notice your lhasa apso has halitosis accompanied by other indicators of disease, like diminished appetite, nausea or vomiting, loss of weight, bad mood, increased drinking and urinating, set a trip to the doctor.
lhasa apso Flea and Tick Issues
When it’s warm, it’s important for you to perform regular, daily inspections of your lhasa apso for ticks and fleas. You can remove and find fleas with a flea comb. There are many new techniques of tick and flea mitigation. Get advice from your vet about these and other recommendations.
lhasa apsos With Heartworm Issues
Your lhasa apso is at risk of heartworms if she is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes carry this parasite from dog to dog. Several lhasa apsos die annualy due to heartworm infections. It is critical that you ensure your lhasa apso submits to a blood test for worms each spring. A once-a-month tablet given during the warm, wet time of the year can help to protect your lhasa apso. If ever you vacation in a warmer-than-usual region with your lhasa apso in winter, she should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some warmer locations, veterinarians advise preemptive parasite medication year round.
Toxins and Medications
Never, ever give your lhasa apso medication that has not been prescribed by a veterinarian. Just one ibuprofen tablet can possibly create stomach ulcers in lhasa apsos. Make sure your lhasa apso is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Be sure you notify your dog’s veterinarian if you have reason to suspect your lhasa apso has consumed poison. You should also notify the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hour help.
lhasa apso Reproductive Surgery
Male lhasa apsos should be neutered – the extraction of the testicles – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by six months of age. You usually will greatly reduce your female lhasa apso’s chance of breast cancer by spaying before maturity. The possibility of a sick uterus, which is another serious disease that affects more mature females, will also be eliminated by spaying prior to six months. Prostate diseases, testicular cancer, certain aggressive behavior and some hernias can be prevented by neutering male lhasa apsos.
Innoculating your lhasa apso
- lhasa apso pups should be vaccinated with a combination immunization (called a “five-in-1”) at 2, three and four months of age, and again once per year. This vaccine immunizes your puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your lhasa apso must be immunized for at least the first four months of her life.
- If you have the rare lhasa apso who has not been innoculated and is older than four or 5 months, she must have a series of two innoculations two to 3 weeks apart, followed by a yearly innoculation.
- Your lhasa apso puppy’s innoculations should coincide with his socialization program. You may take your lhasa apso puppy to socialization classes by 8 to 9 weeks old, as recommended by most veterinarians. At this point, they should have already received their first series of vaccines.
Because laws vary so much around the country, call your neighborhood veterinarian for information on rabies innoculation. For instance, NYC laws declare that pets older than 3 months be innoculated for rabies. The first rabies shot must be followed up by a subsequent shot the next year, and then every three years. There are a variety of immunizations, many of which are appropriate for your lhasa apso. There are others that are not, however. Ask your lhasa apso’s vet for his recommendation. Also, if your lhasa apso gets sick because he is not properly innoculated, do not administer the shots until the dog has made a full recovery.
Hookworms in lhasa apsos
lhasa apsos are commonly exposed to worms—even in urban areas. Microscopic eggs produced by roundworms are passed in an infected lhasa apso’s feces. Even the healthiest of lhasa apso puppies carry intestinal worms. The key to treatment is early diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be highly effective against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best determine the culprit—and decide the most effective treatment.
lhasa apso: Miscellaneous Care Tips
Checklist of lhasa apso Supplies
- Top-quality dog food and treats designed for lhasa apsos and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Box or dog bed with sheet or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Never feed your lhasa apso the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Raisins & grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Dough
The scoop on poop
Retain your lhasa apso on a leash when you are outside, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in place. When your lhasa apso does number 2 on a neighbor’s lawn, the sidewalk or any other public place, please take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about lhasa apsos
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