Owning dogs, in particular taking care of the tosa, is nothing new for people. Historians have proven dogs were originally domesticated between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all canines evolved from the wolf. Since those days, we have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, which vary in size from 4-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose three-ft stature has earned them the distinction of tallest canine. However, the most preferred canines are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The tosa is another favorite pick with canine owners. Many owners are oblivious, however, of some of the most important tosa care tips.
General cost of care for your tosa
The annual budget for taking care of the tosa—including everything from food and snacks, to doctor bills, toys and license—could range between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This figure doesn’t include capital expenses for sterilization surgery, collar and leash, dog carrier and dog crate. Tip: Be sure you have procured all your supplies before getting your tosa home for the 1st time.
Typical tosa Care
Feeding the tosa
- tosa puppies between eight and twelve weeks old need 4 meals every 24 hours.
- Feed tosa puppies three to 6 months old 3 meals every twenty-four hour period.
- Feed puppies six months to one year 2 times in a day.
- By the time the tosa hits his or her 1st birthday, 1 feeding in a 24 hour period is typically sufficient.
- Some tosas, however, prefer two lighter meals. It’s your job to learn your tosa’s eating schedule.
High-quality dry dog food provides balanced nutrition to full-grown tosas and can mix with water, canned food, or broth. Your tosa may also be fond of cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, and cooked eggs, but these shouldn’t add up to more than ten percent of his or her daily nutrition. tosa pups need to be fed premium-quality, name brand puppy food. Try to cut down on “table food”, however, since it can cause mineral and vitamin deficiencies, bone and teeth issues, and might cause some very finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Give fresh, potable water exclusively, and make certain to wash food and water dishes often.
tosa Care Tips: Your tosa needs exercise daily
tosas must get daily exercise so they can stay in shape, recharge their brains, and keep healthy. Physical activity also seems to help tosas avoid boredom, which would often lead to destructive behavior. Getting out will cure most of your tosa’s instinctual urges to dig, chase, herd, chew and retrieve. Individual exercise needs depend on your tosa’s level of health and his or her age—but ten minutes in back of the house and merely a walk around the block every day probably will not be sufficient. If your tosa is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will probably be much more.
tosa Grooming Tips
Regular brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your tosa clean. Check for ticks and fleas daily during warm weather. Most tosas don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Prior to bathing, comb or cut out any and all mats from the tosa’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
Handling Your tosa
Pups, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to manage. To carry your tosa pup, take one hand and place it beneath the dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting his hind legs and rump. Don’t ever try to lift or grab your puppy by the front legs, nape or tail. When you must lift a larger, full-grown tosa, lift from underneath, supporting her chest with 1 arm and rump with your other.
tosa housing
tosas need a warm quiet spot in order to relax away from all the drafts and away from the ground or floor. You may wish to think about purchasing a dog bed, or make one out of a wood box. Put a clean comforter or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash the tosa’s bed covering often. If your tosa will be outdoors frequently, be certain she has covering and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a covered, dry, warm shelter during the winter.
tosa Identification
There are licensing rules to heed in your town. You should connect the license to your tosa’s collar. The license, along with an identification tag or tattoo, could help secure your tosa’s return should she go missing.
tosa Behavior Facts
About Training the tosa
Well-behaved, companion tosas are a a joy. However, when left untrained, your dog can possibly be a big pain. Teaching your tosa the standards—”Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen your relationship with both your pooch and the neighbors. If you’re the owner of a puppy, begin training her on the appropriate responses as fast as you can! Use snacks as incentive and reward. Puppies should enroll in obedience classes when they have been sufficiently vaccinated. Call the local humane society or SPCA for information on training classes. It is wise to walk your tosa on a leash while in public, even while a puppy. Just be certain your doggie will come back to you whenever you call him. An aggressive or disobedient tosa shouldn’t play with people.
tosa Health
tosas should visit the veterinarian for a full assessment, vaccinations and a heartworm blood test each year, and immediately when he is sick or injured.
tosa Dental Health
While many of us might object to our tosa’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it may be a sign of. Foul breath usually means that your tosa needs an oral screening. Plaque brought on by bacteria creates a bad stench that can only be cured with treatment by a professional. After you give your tosa a professional dental cleaning, the gums and teeth may be be preserved in a healthy state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. The vet can supply you with more guidance on eliminating oral diseases and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your tosa’s teeth. Clean them with a gauze pad, nylon stocking stretched over the finger, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Sometimes, tosas are prone to periodontal disease, another name for an infection between the teeth and gums. This painful condition can sometimes result in loss of teeth and spread diseases to his body. Your vet will clean the tosa’s teeth in her typical health diagnosis.
Halitosis in tosas
Even though halitosis brought on by periodontal disease may not be very serious if caught early enough, some halitosis may be indicative of serious, long-term problems. A sweet, even pleasant smell can usually be a sign of diabetes, while diseases of the liver or intestines may cause foul breath. When your tosa’s breath smells of ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possible cause. If ever you notice your tosa has smelly breath and other symptoms of ill health, such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, loss of weight, depression, increased urination and drinking, schedule a trip to his doctor.
Fleas and Ticks in tosas
When it’s warm, it’s important for you to perform regular, daily inspections of your tosa for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to remove fleas. There are many new techniques of flea and tick control. Visit your tosa’s doctor about these and other recommendations.
tosas With Heartworm Issues
This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from an infested dog to your tosa by way of mosquitoes. Heartworm infestations are potentially deadly. It’s critical you make sure your tosa submits to a blood screening for this parasite each spring. It is recommended that you give your tosa a once-a-month pill during mosquito season to help you protect her from heartworms. Your tosa should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some areas, usually the locations with hotter climates, where the vets advise heartworm tablets be taken year round.
Toxins and Medications
If you’re pondering giving your tosa medication that was not prescribed for him by his doctor, don’t even think about it. Just one ibuprofen tablet can possibly create stomach ulcers in tosas. Make sure your tosa is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Make sure you call your dog’s veterinarian when you have reason to believe your tosa has consumed a poison. You should also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hr. help.
tosa Reproductive Surgery
It is recommended that male tosas should be neutered – the removal of the testicles – and females spayed – the extraction of the uterus and ovaries – by 6 months old. You usually will greatly diminish your female’s risk of breast cancer by spaying prior to adulthood. Spaying also eradicates the chance of an infected uterus, a very serious condition in older females that demands surgery. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias can be prevented by neutering males.
tosa Vaccinating
- The combination vaccine (also called a “5-in-1 shot”) should be given to your tosa at 2, three, and four months of age and again once every year. This innoculation immunizes your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The tosa must be innoculated for at least the first four months of his life.
- If you have an uninnoculated tosa older than 4 or five months, she must get a set of two vaccinations given two or three weeks apart, followed by an annual vaccination.
- tosa puppy immunization and socialization should go together. You should take your tosa pup to socialization courses as early as eight to nine weeks old, according to many doctors. At this age, they should have received at least their first innoculations.
Since rules vary around the country, contact a community veterinarian to get instructions on rabies innoculation. For example, NYC rules state that pets older than 3 months be immunized for rabies. After the initial innoculation, he must have a second vaccination the following year, and then every 3 years. There are a variety of vaccines, many of which are right for your tosa. Others, however, are not. Your vet can tell you about them. Take note, if your tosa gets sick because he is not innoculated, the innoculation should be given after your companion animal has recovered.
Worms in tosas
tosas are commonly exposed to worms—even in urban areas. Tiny eggs made by hookworms and roundworms are passed in an infected dog’s feces. Even the healthiest of tosa puppies carry intestinal worms. An accurate, early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment. This will maximize the possibility that the medication is highly effective against the parasite your tosa has. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best figure out the culprit—and prescribe the best medication.
tosa Care Tips: Additional Information
tosa Supply Checklist
- Top-quality dog food and snacks designed for tosas and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb & brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Quality leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with blanket or towel
- Dog toothbrush
The no-no list
Never, ever feed your tosa the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Coffee, tea, or chocolate
- Grapes & raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Onions, chives & garlic
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Dough
The scoop on poop
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in space, always keep your tosa on a leash. And please, when your tosa defecates on your neighbor’s yard, clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about tosas
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