Raising dogs, especially taking care of the blue lacy, is old hat for humans across the globe. Some historians have proven that dogs were domesticated sometime between 12,000 and 25,000 years ago—and that dogs evolved from the wolf. Since those days, people have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, which vary in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of tallest pooch. However, the most widespread pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The blue lacy is another popular pick with canine owners. Some owners are uninformed, however, of many important blue lacy care tips.
Health care cost for your blue lacy
The annual cost of caring for your blue lacy—including nutrition and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—can range between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even accounting for capital costs for sterilization operations, a collar and a leash, a dog carrier and a dog crate. Tip: Be positive you have procured all of the required supplies before you get your blue lacy home.
General blue lacy Care
blue lacy Feeding Outline
- blue lacy pups between eight and 12 weeks old need 4 meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- blue lacy puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals per day.
- Feed pups six months to one year old two meals in a day.
- When the blue lacy reaches his first birthday, one bowl in a day is enough.
- Sometimes blue lacys, however, prefer two lighter meals. It’s your job to adapt to your blue lacy’s eating schedule.
High-quality dry dog food ensures a well-rounded diet to grown blue lacys and may be mixed with canned food, broth, or water. Your blue lacy may also dig fruits and vegetables, cottage cheese, and cooked eggs, but these additions should not be more than 10 pct of his daily food. blue lacy pups ought to be given premium-quality, brand-name puppy food. You should try to cut down on “table food”, though, because it can result in mineral and vitamin imbalances, tooth and bone problems, and may create some very finicky eating habits and obesity. Clean, potable water should be made always, and be sure to clean food and water dishes very regularly.
blue lacy Care Tips: Your blue lacy needs physical activity daily
blue lacys must get exercise in order to stay fit, stimulate their brains, and keep healthy. Exercise also seems to help blue lacys avoid boredom, which often has the potential to lead to to destructive behavior. Getting out can quench most of your blue lacy’s desires to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Exercise needs can depend on your blue lacy’s age and his level of health—but 10 minutes outside and just a walk down the street every day probably is not enough. If your blue lacy is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will probably be much greater.
blue lacy Grooming
You can help reduce shedding and keep your blue lacy clean with brushing. Check for ticks and fleas daily during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes blue lacys don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Before the bath, comb or cut out any and all mats from the blue lacy’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your blue lacy
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to handle. To carry your blue lacy pup, take one hand and place it beneath the dog’s chest, with either the forearm or other hand supporting the back legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your pup by the front legs, tail or nape. If you have to pick up a bigger, full-grown blue lacy, lift from the underside, supporting her chest with one arm and rump with your other.
blue lacy housing
Your blue lacy needs a comfortable peaceful location to rest away from all breezes and off the ground or floor. You may want to think about buying a doggie bed, or try making one from a wooden box. Put a clean sheet, blanket, or pillow inside the bed as cushioning. Wash your blue lacy’s bedding frequently. If the blue lacy will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make certain she has plenty of cool water and shade in hot weather, and a dry, warm, covered area when it’s cold.
Licensing and Identification for blue lacys
Your town has licensing regulations to follow. You should affix the license to your blue lacy’s collar. The license, along with an ID tattoo or tag, can easily help you recover your blue lacy should he go missing.
Information on blue lacy Behavior
About Training your blue lacy
Well-mannered, companion blue lacys can be a blessing to raise. But untrained, your blue lacy will most likely be nothing but trouble. Teaching your blue lacy the standards—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen your relationship both with your pooch and your visitors. If you’re the owner of a puppy, start training him on the appropriate behavior as soon as possible! Use snacks as recognition and incentive. Pups can join obedience classes when they are adequately vaccinated. Call the local humane society or SPCA for details about obedience classes. It is best to walk your blue lacy on a leash when, even while a pup. Be positive your blue lacy will come to you whenever you say so. A disobedient or aggressive blue lacy can’t play with kids.
Knowing Your blue lacy’s Health
Your blue lacy should see the vet for a complete screening, innoculations and heartworm assessment each year, and immediately if he is ill or hurt.
About your blue lacy’s Oral Health
While many of us may simply dislike our blue lacy’s halitosis, it’s important to be aware of what it might represent. Halitosis is most commonly a symptom which means that your blue lacy should get an oral examination. Plaque , which is brought on by unhealthy bacteria creates a terrible odor that can only be cured with treatment by a professional. After a cleaning done by a professional, his teeth and gums can be kept healthy by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. The veterinarian can supply you with additional data for eradicating oral disease as well as halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your blue lacy’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, sometimes affects blue lacys. Often, teeth loss occurs as a result of periodontal disease. Infections can also spread to other areas of your blue lacy’s body. The vet may clean the teeth at a typical checkup.
Bad Breath in blue lacys
Even though periodontal disease alone is not that serious if found early, the foul odors may also be indicative of serious, long-term problems. A pleasant, even sweet smell may often be indicative of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. If your blue lacy’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease might be the cause. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your blue lacy has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
blue lacy Flea and Tick Issues
Daily, regular inspections of your blue lacy for fleas and ticks throughout the summer are important. You can remove and find fleas using a flea comb. There are several new procedures of flea and tick elimination. Get advice from your veterinarian about his or her recommendations.
Heartworm problems in blue lacys
Your blue lacy is at risk of contracting heartworms if he is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes carry the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infections are known to be fatal. It’s very important to ensure your blue lacy submits to a blood screening for this parasite each spring. You should also give your blue lacy a monthly tablet in the warm, wet time of the year to help protect him from heartworms. If ever you vacation in a warmer-than-usual climate with your blue lacy in the winter, he should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some warmer locations, veterinarians recommend preventive worm medication throughout the year.
Poisons and Medications
Never give your blue lacy medicine that hasn’t been prescribed by her veterinarian. For example, are you aware that just 1 regular-strength ibuprofen caplet could cause ulcers in blue lacys? Make sure your blue lacy is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Be sure to call your blue lacy’s doctor if you have cause to believe your blue lacy has been exposed to poison. You may also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hour help.
blue lacy Sterilization Procedures
It is recommended that female blue lacys be spayed—which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—removal of the testicles—by 6 months old. You can greatly reduce your female blue lacy’s risk of breast cancer by spaying before maturity. The risk of a sick uterus, which is also a serious disease that impacts older females, will be removed by spaying before 6 months. Neutering male blue lacys prevents testicular and prostate diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias.
blue lacy Innoculating
- blue lacy puppies should be vaccinated with a combination shot (called the “5-in-1”) at 2, three and 4 months old, and then once per year. This shot immunizes your puppy from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Your blue lacy puppy’s immunization regimen cannot be finished prior to 4 months of age.
- If you have the rare blue lacy who has not been immunized and is older than four or 5 months, she must have a series of two innoculations given two or 3 weeks apart, followed by an annual vaccination.
- blue lacy puppy immunization and socialization should coincide. Many vets recommend that new owners take their blue lacy puppies to socialization classes, beginning at eight to nine weeks of age. They should have received their first innoculations by then.
Because statutes are so different around the country, call a local veterinarian for instructions about rabies immunization. For example, in NYC, the regulation states that any pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the original shot, he must get a second innoculation the following year, and then every 3 years. There are several immunizations, many of which are effective for your blue lacy. Others, however, are not. Ask your blue lacy’s vet for her recommendation. By the way, if your blue lacy gets sick because she is not vaccinated, do not give the shots until the dog has made a full recovery.
Intestinal Parasites in blue lacys
blue lacys are often exposed to worms—especially in rural areas. Tiny eggs created by roundworms are transmitted through an infected dog’s stool. Even the healthiest of blue lacy puppies carry intestinal worms. The secret to treatment is early detection. This will maximize the possibility that the treatment is effective against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best define the culprit—and prescribe the appropriate medicine.
blue lacy Care Tips: Additional Information
blue lacy Supply Checklist
- Excellent-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for blue lacys and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with quilt or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to blue lacys:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins & grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured location, keep your blue lacy on a leash at all times. When your blue lacy goes #2 on your neighbor’s yard, his sidewalk or any other public location, please take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about blue lacys
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