Owning dogs, in particular taking care of the shikoku, is a specialty of people across the globe. Some experts postulate dogs were domesticated between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that canines evolved from the wolf. Since those days, we have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, which vary in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature has earned them the distinction of tallest dog. But the most preferred pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The shikoku is also a favorite choice among dog owners. Some owners are uninformed, however, of some of the most crucial shikoku care tips.
Health care cost of your shikoku
The yearly cost of providing for your shikoku—to include meals and snacks, to veterinary care, toys and license—can vary between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even counting capital costs for spay/neuter operations, collar and leash, dog carrier and a doggie crate. Note: Make sure you have obtained all of the necessary supplies before you bring your shikoku home for the first time.
General shikoku Care
shikoku Feeding Plan
- shikoku pups between 8 and 12 weeks old need 4 meals in a day.
- Feed shikoku pups 3 to 6 months old three meals every 24 hour period.
- Feed puppies six months old to 1 year old two meals in a 24 hour period.
- When the shikoku reaches his or her 1st birthday, one bowl every 24 hours is usually sufficient.
- Some adult shikokus, however, prefer two smaller meals. It is your responsibility to learn your shikoku’s eating schedule.
Top-quality dry food provides balanced nutrition for adult shikokus and may be mixed with water, broth, or canned food. Your shikoku may be fond of cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cottage cheese, but these additions should be less than 10 percent of his or her daily food. shikoku puppies should be given excellent-quality, name brand puppy food. You should limit “people food”, however, since it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth problems, and might lead to extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Give fresh, clean water exclusively, and be certain to clean food and water bowls frequently.
shikoku Care Tips: Make sure to give your shikoku plenty of daily exercise
shikokus need some daily physical activity to stay healthy, stimulate their minds, and keep healthy. Exercise also tends to help shikokus avoid boredom, which has the potential to lead to naughty behavior. Supervised fun and games will satisfy most of your shikoku’s desires to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Individual exercise needs will depend on your shikoku’s level of health and his age—but 10 minutes in back of the house and just a couple of walks down the street every day probably won’t suffice. If your shikoku is a six to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will probably be much greater.
shikoku Grooming
You can help keep your shikoku clean and reduce shedding with regular brushing. Check for ticks and fleas every day during the summer or other warm weather. Most shikokus don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Prior to a bath, comb or cut out any mats from the shikoku’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap residue.
shikoku Handling
Pups are obviously easier to handle. To carry your shikoku puppy, put one hand beneath your dog’s chest, either with your forearm or other hand supporting his or her back legs and rump. Don’t try to lift or grab your pup by his or her front legs, nape or tail. When you have to lift a larger, adult shikoku, lift from underneath, holding his or her chest with one arm and rump with the other arm.
Housing your shikoku
shikokus need a warm peaceful place to be able to sleep away from all the breezes and away from the ground or floor. You might wish to think about buying a dog bed, or think about making one out of a wooden box. Place a clean sheet, blanket, comforter, or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash your shikoku’s bed covering often. If your shikoku will be outdoors frequently, be certain he has access to plenty of cool water and covering in hot weather, and a dry, covered, warm area when it’s cold.
shikoku Licensing and Identification
Make certain you follow the community’s licensing regulations. Make certain you attach the license to your shikoku’s collar. The license, together with an identification tattoo, can possibly help secure your shikoku’s return if he happens to go missing.
Facts on shikoku Behavior
Training shikokus
A well-mannered, companion shikoku is a blessing to own. However, when untrained, your shikoku may be a big pain. Training your shikoku on the standards—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—improves your relationship both with the shikoku as well as your house guests. If you’re the owner of a puppy, start training her on the appropriate behavior ASAP! Little bits of food can be used as incentive and recognition. Puppies can start obedience courses when they are sufficiently vaccinated. Call your local humane society or SPCA for details on obedience classes. You should always keep your shikoku on a leash when, even as a puppy. Be positive your dog will come back to you whenever you say. An aggressive or disobedient shikoku shouldn’t play with others.
About your shikoku’s Health
shikokus should visit the veterinarian for a complete assessment, innoculations and heartworm examination annualy, and as soon as possible when she is injured or sick.
Your shikoku’s Oral Health
Although we may simply dislike our shikoku’s halitosis, we should pay attention to what it may be a symptom of. Bad breath usually means that your shikoku is in need of an oral check up. Dental plaque , which is caused by germs brings a terrible odor that can only be cured by the help of a professional. After a cleaning done by a professional, his teeth and gums may be maintained in a healthy state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can supply you with additional advice for mitigating oral problems and bad breath. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your shikoku’s teeth. You can clean them with a gauze pad, a piece of nylon pantyhose wrapped around the finger, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects shikokus. Often, loss of teeth takes place because of periodontal disease. Diseases can also spread to the rest of your shikoku’s body. The vet will most likely brush your dog’s teeth as a regular part of your shikoku’s health physical.
Bad shikoku Breath
If your shikoku has smelly breath, periodontal disease may not necessarily be the issue, as other more serious illnesses have that symptom. Intestinal or liver diseases may cause halitosis, while a pleasant, even sweet smell can usually be a sign of diabetes. If your shikoku’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease might be the reason. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your shikoku 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 shikokus
Regular, daily inspections of your shikoku for ticks and fleas during the warm seasons are of utmost importance. Find and remove fleas using a flea comb. There are several new technologies of flea reduction. Refer to your shikoku’s doctor about her or his options.
Heartworms in shikokus
Your shikoku is at risk of heartworms if she is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes carry heartworms from dog to dog. Several shikokus die annualy due to heartworms. It is extremely critical to ensure your shikoku takes a blood screening for worms annually in the spring. You should also give your shikoku a once-a-month pill throughout the course of the warm, wet time of the year to help you protect her from heartworms. Should you ever travel in a warmer-than-usual climate with your shikoku during the winter, your dog needs to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. There are some areas, usually the places with hotter temperatures, where doctors recommend heartworm tablets be used year round.
Medications and Poisons
Remember to never give your shikoku medication that has not been prescribed by her vet. One little ibuprofen tablet can initiate stomach ulcers in shikokus. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your shikoku. Be sure you immediately call your dog’s doctor when you believe your shikoku has ingested a poisonous substance. You can also immediately call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hour help.
shikoku Sterilization Operations
It is recommended that female shikokus be spayed—the removal of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—extraction of the testes—by 6 months old. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the breast cancer risk, which is a common and often deadly illness of more mature female dogs. Spaying also eliminates the chance of a sick uterus, a very serious problem in older females that demands surgery. Neutering males prevents testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain aggressive behavior.
shikoku Innoculating
- The combo vaccine (also known as a “five-in-one shot”) should be given to your shikoku at two, three, and four months old and again once yearly. This shot immunizes your puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your shikoku must be vaccinated for at least the first four months of her life.
- If your shikoku has not been innoculated and is older than 4 months, she will need to be given two vaccinations asap, two or three weeks apart. After that you must immunize yearly.
- shikoku pup socialization and innoculation should coincide. You should take your shikoku puppy to socialization classes by eight or nine weeks of age, according to many vets. At this age, they should have received at least their first innoculations.
Laws are so different around the country, that it’s best to call your community veterinarian about rabies vaccination information. For instance, NYC statutes declare that pets older than three months must be vaccinated for rabies. The original rabies innoculation must be followed up by another shot the following year, and then every three years after that. There are several innoculations, many of which are right for your shikoku. There are others that are not, however. Your vet can give you her recommendation. Also, if your shikoku gets ill because she is not vaccinated, do not administer the vaccination until the dog has made a full recovery.
Hookworms in shikokus
shikokus are often exposed to worms—even in urban areas. Eggs that carry roundworms are transmitted through a dog’s stool. Most pups, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry roundworms or hookworms. The secret to treatment is early diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be successful against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best determine the culprit—and assign the most effective medicine.
shikoku Care Tips: Additional Information
Checklist of shikoku Supplies
- High-quality dog food and snacks designed for shikokus 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)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with sheet or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
Do not feed your shikoku the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coffee, tea, or chocolate
- Grapes & raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Keep your shikoku on a leash whenever you are outside, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in area. If your shikoku goes number 2 on your neighbor’s grass, on the sidewalk or any other public location, please remove it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about shikokus
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