Raising dogs, in particular providing care for the molossus, is old hat for humans. Historians theorize dogs were first domesticated sometime between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that canines evolved from wolves. Since then, human beings have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of tallest dog. However, the most widespread dogs are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The molossus is another favorite choice among canine owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of many critical molossus care tips.
Health care cost of your molossus
The yearly budget for taking care of the molossus—which includes everything from nutrition, to vet bills, toys and license—can vary between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even including capital expenses for sterilization surgery, dog collar and a leash, a dog carrier and dog crate. Tip: Make sure you have obtained all the required supplies before bringing your molossus home for the 1st time.
General molossus Care
How To Feed your molossus
- molossus pups between eight and twelve weeks need four meals a day.
- molossus puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals every 24 hour period.
- Feed pups 6 months old to one year 2 meals in a 24 hour period.
- By the time the molossus makes his or her first birthday, 1 meal per day is adequate.
- Many times molossuss, however, prefer 2 lighter servings. It’s your job to learn your molossus’s eating schedule.
Premium-quality dry dog food provides balanced nutrition to full-grown molossuss and may be mixed with broth, water, or canned food. Your molossus may be fond of cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cottage cheese, but these foods should be less than ten percent of his or her daily food. molossus puppies must be given excellent-quality, name brand puppy food. Please cut down on “table food”, though, since it can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, tooth and bone issues, and may result in some very picky eating habits and obesity. Give clean, fresh water exclusively, and make certain to clean food and water bowls frequently.
molossus Care Tips: Your molossus needs exercise daily
molossuss must get daily exercise so they can stay in shape, stimulate their minds, and maintain good health. Daily physical activity also seems to help molossuss avoid boredom, which would often lead to destructive behavior. Outside playtime will quench most of your molossus’s instinctual urges to retrieve, dig, chew, chase and herd. Individual exercise needs depend on your molossus’s level of health and his age—but ten minutes in back of the house and merely a couple of walks down the street every day probably won’t be enough. If your molossus is a six to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will probably be a little higher.
Grooming tips for molossuss
You can help keep your molossus clean and reduce shedding with regular brushing. Inspect for fleas and ticks daily during warm weather. Most molossuss don’t need a bath more than a few times per year. Before giving her a bath, cut out or comb all mats from the molossus’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap residue.
molossus Handling
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are clearly the easiest to handle. While carrying your molossus puppy, take 1 of your hands and place it beneath your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or your other hand supporting her hind legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your pup by her forelegs, back of the neck or tail. If you must pick up a larger, full-grown molossus, lift from the underside, holding her chest with 1 arm and rear end with the other arm.
molossus housing
molossuss need a cozy peaceful spot to be able to relax apart from all the breezes and off the floor. You may wish to think about purchasing a doggie bed, or make one from a wooden box. Place a clean comforter or pillow in the bed as cushion. Wash the molossus’s bed covering frequently. If your molossus will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a dry, warm, covered area when it’s cold.
molossus Licensing
Your town has licensing regulations to follow. You should connect the license to the molossus’s collar. The license, along with an ID tag, will most likely help you recover your molossus should she get lost.
Facts on molossus Behavior
Training Your molossus
Well-behaved, companion molossuss are a a joy. But untrained, your dog may be a big headache. Training your molossus on the standards—”Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, and “Leave it”—strengthens your relationship both with the pooch and the family. If you own a pup, start teaching him manners as soon as possible! Use meals as recognition and incentive. Puppies can enroll in obedience courses when they have been adequately immunized. Call the community SPCA or humane society for details about obedience schools. It is wise to walk your molossus on a leash when, even as a puppy. Be sure your dog will come to you if you say the word. An aggressive or disobedient molossus should not play with kids.
molossus Health
Your molossus should visit the veterinarian for a thorough check-up, vaccinations and heartworm examination each year, and ASAP if he is hurt or sick.
Your molossus’s Dental Health
Although we might object to our molossus’s foul breath, we should pay attention to what it may be a symptom of. Halitosis usually means that your molossus requires a dental check up. Dental plaque caused by bacteria brings a bad smell that necessitates the help of a professional. Once your molossus has had a professional cleaning, her mouth can be maintained by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. The vet can supply you with more guidance for minimizing dental diseases and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your molossus’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease,which is an infection between the gums and teeth, often affects molossuss. This troublesome affliction can possibly initiate tooth loss as well as propagate diseases to the body. Veterinarians may clean her teeth at a typical physical.
Halitosis in molossuss
Although the foul odors due to oral disease may not be serious if detected early, some halitosis may indicate more serious, persistent problems. Diseases of the intestines or liver sometimes also cause stinky breath, while a fruity, sweet smell can often be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease might be the reason if your molossus’s breath smells of urine or ammonia. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your molossus 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 molossuss
When it’s warm, it’s of utmost importance for you to perform daily checks of your molossus for ticks and fleas. Find and remove fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new techniques of flea and tick mitigation. Visit your veterinarian about her recommendations.
molossuss With Heartworm Issues
This parasite resides in the heart and is passed from an infested dog to your molossus by way of mosquitoes. Heartworm infections are potentially fatal. It is important you ensure your molossus has a blood screening for heartworms each year in the spring. A once-a-month pill given throughout mosquito season can protect your molossus. Your molossus should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some regions, usually the regions with milder climates, where the veterinarians recommend parasite medication be used continuously.
Poisions and Medicines
If you’re pondering giving your molossus medication that was not prescribed for him by his veterinarian, forget about it. As little as one ibuprofen tablet can initiate stomach ulcers in molossuss. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your molossus. If you think your doggie has eaten a toxin, notify the veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four-hr. animal poison help.
molossuss: Spaying and Neutering
Male molossuss should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by 6 months old. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the breast cancer risk, a usually fatal and common disease for more mature females. Spaying also eradicates the possibility of a sick uterus, a very serious condition in older females that demands intensive medical care. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias are preventable by neutering males.
molossus Immunizations
- Your molossus pup should be vaccinated with a combination shot (called the “five-in-1”) at two, three and 4 months old, and then once yearly. This innoculation immunizes your pup from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your molossus puppy’s vaccination program cannot be finished prior to four months old.
- If your molossus has not been immunized and is older than four months, he will need two immunizations asap, two or 3 weeks apart. After that you must immunize annualy.
- molossus pup socialization and innoculation should go together. Most veterinarians recommend that new owners bring their molossus puppies to socialization courses, beginning at eight to nine weeks old. At this age, they should have already received their first innoculations.
Since regulations are so different between different areas, contact your neighborhood vet for instructions about rabies shots. For instance, New York City laws declare that pets older than three months must be vaccinated for rabies. The original rabies shot must be followed up by another innoculation the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are several innoculations, many of which are right for your molossus. There are others that are not, however. Ask your molossus’s vet for his opinion. By the way, if your molossus gets ill because she is not properly innoculated, do not administer the immunization until the dog has made a full recovery.
Worms in molossuss
molossuss are often exposed to worms—in all areas, both urban and rural. Microscopic eggs created by roundworms and hookworms are passed in an infected molossus’s feces. Even the healthiest of molossus puppies carry roundworms or hookworms. The secret to effective treatment is early diagnosis. This will ensure that the treatment is highly effective against the parasite your molossus has. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best figure out the culprit—and prescribe the right medication.
Additional molossus Care Tips
Checklist of molossus Supplies
- High-quality dog food and treats specifically for molossuss and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush & comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with blanket or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to molossuss:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Raisins or grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Retain your molossus on a leash when you are outside, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured place. Whenever your molossus goes number two on a neighbor’s grass, the sidewalk or any other public location, please clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about molossuss
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