Owning dogs, especially taking care of the australian cattle dog, is nothing new for people. Some zoologists speculate dogs were domesticated between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that dogs evolved from the wolf. Since those days, people have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-foot stature has earned them the title of the tallest canine. But the most popular dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The australian cattle dog is also a popular choice among canine owners. Many owners are uninformed, however, of some common australian cattle dog care tips.
Typical health care cost of the australian cattle dog
The annual cost of taking care of your australian cattle dog—including everything from meals, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even including capital costs for sterilization procedures, collar and leash, dog carrier and a doggie crate. Note: Be positive you have procured all of your items before getting your australian cattle dog home.
General australian cattle dog Care
Feeding the australian cattle dog
- australian cattle dog puppies between eight and twelve weeks old need four bowls of food daily.
- Feed australian cattle dog pups three to 6 months old three meals per day.
- Feed puppies six months to one year old two meals every 24 hours.
- By the time your australian cattle dog reaches his or her first birthday, 1 meal per day is enough.
- Many times australian cattle dogs, however, eat two lighter bowls. It’s your responsibility to adapt to your australian cattle dog’s eating schedule.
Top-quality dry dogfood ensures balanced nutrition to full-grown australian cattle dogs and may be mixed with broth, canned food, or water. Your australian cattle dog may also like cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these should be less than 10 percent of her daily nutrition. australian cattle dog puppies should probably be fed high-quality, name brand puppy food. Try to limit “table food”, though, because it can result in vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth concerns, and might result in some very picky food choices as well as obesity. Give clean, fresh water exclusively, and make certain to clean water and food bowls regularly.
australian cattle dog Care Tips: Your australian cattle dog needs exercise daily
australian cattle dogs must get daily physical activity in order to burn calories, recharge their brains, and maintain their health. Exercise also tends to help australian cattle dogs avoid boredom, which would often lead to naughty behavior. Playing outside would curb many of your australian cattle dog’s desires to dig, chase, herd, chew and retrieve. Exercise needs will depend on your australian cattle dog’s level of health and his age—but just a couple of walks around the block every day and 10 minutes outside probably won’t do. If your australian cattle dog is a six to eighteen month adolescent, his requirements will probably be much more.
Grooming tips for australian cattle dogs
Frequent brushing will help keep your australian cattle dog clean and reduce shedding. Check for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes australian cattle dogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times during the year. Prior to bathing, comb or cut out any and all mats from the australian cattle dog’s coat. Rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to soap residue.
How to Handle Your australian cattle dog
Pups, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to manage. To carry the australian cattle dog puppy, put 1 hand under the dog’s chest, with either your forearm or your other hand supporting the hind legs and rear. Never attempt to lift or grab your puppy by his or her front legs, nape or tail. When you have to lift a bigger, full-grown australian cattle dog, pick it up from underneath, supporting his chest with one arm and rump with your other.
australian cattle dog housing
australian cattle dogs need a warm quiet spot to rest away from all the breezes and off the floor or ground. You may want to think about purchasing a doggie bed, or make one from a wooden box. Place a clean comforter, sheet, or pillow in the bed for cushion. Wash the australian cattle dog’s bedding often. If the australian cattle dog will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be certain he has access to plenty of cool water and covering in the summer, and a warm, covered, dry shelter when it’s cold.
australian cattle dog Licensing and Identification
Make sure to heed the city’s licensing rules. You should affix the license to your australian cattle dog’s collar. The license, together with an identification tag or tattoo, can easily help you recover your australian cattle dog if she happens to go missing.
australian cattle dog Behavior Facts
australian cattle dog Training
Well-behaved, companion australian cattle dogs can truly be a blessing to raise. But left untrained, your dog could be a big headache. Teaching your australian cattle dog the minimums—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—will improve the relationship both with the australian cattle dog as well as your company. If you’re the owner of a puppy, begin teaching him or her the appropriate behavior ASAP! Use little bits of food as recognition and incentive. Pups can begin obedience courses when they have been adequately vaccinated. Contact your local humane society or SPCA for information about obedience classes. You should always walk your australian cattle dog on a leash in public, even as a puppy. Just be sure your dog will come back to you if you tell her to. An aggressive or disobedient australian cattle dog cannot play with other people.
Your australian cattle dog’s Health
australian cattle dogs should see the veterinarian for a full diagnosis, innoculations and a heartworm screening every year, and promptly when he is hurt or sick.
About your australian cattle dog’s Dental Health
Although we might object to our australian cattle dog’s halitosis, we should be aware of what it might be a symptom of. Halitosis usually means that your australian cattle dog needs a dental examination. Dental plaque , which is caused by bacteria brings a foul smell that requires the help of a professional. Once you have given your australian cattle dog a professional dental cleaning, the mouth can be maintained in a healthy state by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. The vet can supply you with additional information on minimizing oral diseases and stinky breath. You can brush your australian cattle dog’s teeth using a dog toothpaste or a baking-soda-and-water paste twice weekly. Brush them with a piece of nylon pantyhose wrapped around the finger, a gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Some australian cattle dogs can develop periodontal disease, which is an infection between the gum and tooth. This dreadful affliction can possibly result in loss of your australian cattle dog’s teeth and also propagate disease to the rest of her body. Veterinarians will brush his teeth as a regular part of your australian cattle dog’s health checkup.
Halitosis in australian cattle dogs
Although bad breath due to dental disease might not be that serious if found early, sometimes bad breath may also indicate more serious, chronic causes for concern. Diseases of the liver or intestines may cause halitosis, while a sweet, even pleasant smell can often be a sign of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possibility when your australian cattle dog’s breath smells of urine or ammonia. Any time you find your australian cattle dog has foul breath accompanied by other signs of ill health, such as diminished appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, depression, increasing drinking or urination, plan a trip to the doctor.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in australian cattle dogs
When it’s warm, it’s critical for you to perform regular, daily inspections of your australian cattle dog for fleas and ticks. Remove fleas using a flea comb. There are several new technologies of flea control. Visit your vet about her recommendations.
australian cattle dogs With Heartworm Issues
Your australian cattle dog is at risk of heartworms if she is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transport the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infections can be deadly. It is very critical that you ensure your australian cattle dog takes a blood test for this parasite annually each spring. A once-a-month tablet taken during the warm, wet time of the year can protect your australian cattle dog. Your australian cattle dog should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some milder locations, veterinarians recommend preemptive worm medication be taken continually.
Poisons and Medications
If you’re thinking about giving your australian cattle dog tablets that was not prescribed for him by his doctor, forget it. One little ibuprofen tablet can cause stomach ulcers in australian cattle dogs. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your australian cattle dog. If you suspect your dog has consumed a poison, contact the veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four-hour animal poison information.
Neutering and Spaying australian cattle dogs
Male australian cattle dogs should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the extraction of the uterus and ovaries – by 6 months old. You will usually significantly diminish your female australian cattle dog’s breast cancer risk by spaying before maturity. Spaying also eliminates the risk of an infected uterus, a traumatic problem in older females that necessitates surgery and intensive medical care. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias are all preventable by neutering male australian cattle dogs.
Innoculating your australian cattle dog
- The combination vaccine (also known as the “5-in-one shot”) needs to be given to your australian cattle dog at 2, three, and four months of age and then once each year. This shot immunizes your pup from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your australian cattle dog must be vaccinated for at least the first 4 months of his life.
- If you have an unvaccinated australian cattle dog older than four or 5 months, he must have a set of 2 vaccinations given 2 or 3 weeks apart, followed by an annual immunization.
- Your australian cattle dog puppy’s socialization should coincide with her innoculation program. Many veterinarians advise that new owners bring their australian cattle dog pups to socialization classes, beginning at 8 to 9 weeks old. At this point, they should have already received their first immunizations.
Regulations vary so much between different areas, that it’s best to call your neighborhood veterinarian for rabies immunization info. For example, New York City rules state that pets older than three months be vaccinated for rabies. The original rabies immunization must be followed up by a subsequent shot the following year, and then every three years. There are many innoculations that may right for your australian cattle dog. Your veterinarian can give you his recommendation. Also, if your australian cattle dog gets sick because he is not immunized, do not administer the shot until the dog has made a full recovery.
Hookworms in australian cattle dogs
australian cattle dogs are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Tiny eggs produced by intestinal worms are passed in an infested dog’s feces. Even the healthiest of australian cattle dog puppies carry intestinal worms. The key to effective treatment is early diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be effective against your australian cattle dog’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best identify the culprit—and prescribe the best medicine.
Additional australian cattle dog Care Tips
Checklist of australian cattle dog Supplies
- Top-quality dog food and snacks designed for australian cattle dogs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- 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 pups)
- Training crate
- Dog box or bed with blanket or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
Never feed your australian cattle dog the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate
- Raisins & grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit and stems
- Dough
The scoop on poop
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured spot, always keep your australian cattle dog on a leash. If your australian cattle dog defecates on your neighbor’s grass, his sidewalk or any other public spot, please dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about australian cattle dogs
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