Humans have been friends with dogs for as long as man has been writing his history. Humans and dogs are a natural fit, and the relationship makes many extremely happy. However, as the human, you have to make sure that your dog is well taken care of. Below is the information you need to make that happen.
If you have medication is your home, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. Make sure you have your veterinarian’s number handy in case your dog does accidentally swallow your medicine.
Anti-flea products are dangerous. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Ask your vet for recommendations instead, and keep children away while you’re applying flea treatments.
You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. Some foods can cause sickness or an upset stomach. You should be careful when you are feeding your dog.
Cheap Dog
Avoid cheap dog food. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health over time. Try using animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness to get a list of great dog foods that have high professional recommendations. Better food will be very beneficial to your dog.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. Rawhide is very healthy and will help your dog develop some strong teeth. Never ever give him a real bone!
If you want to keep your dog outside, build him or her a small shelter. If his feet are wet during very cold weather, it will stress him and lead to health problems. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.
You shouldn’t make your dog do something it doesn’t want to do. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. When you have a dog, get to know his likes and dislikes.
Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. Ignoring it for a while can make it harder to correct later and you don’t know what may happen if you don’t. Bad behaviors that are left uncontrolled can result in human injuries to you, your child, your friend or your neighbor. This is why it’s important to nip them in the bud immediately!
It’s very important for your dog to get the correct amount of exercise. A dog requires regular exercise and game time; it keeps him healthy and happy, both mentally and physically. Your dog will get the exercise it needs (and you’ll be a little more active yourself!) from virtually any kind of outdoor activity you share with it. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.
Avoid keeping your dog outdoors all day, every day. Many people do this, but dogs need interactions with others. A dog with no companions can feel very isolated and stressed out if he is left alone outside. In addition to the socializing need, you should not leave a dog to fend for himself in heavy rainstorms or very cold weather. Bring the dog indoors until the inclement weather passes.
If your vet prescribes medication, always carefully follow the provided instructions. Dogs do not like having a cone around their head, but it was given for a reason. Vets are professionals who have experience dealing with your situation.
If you have a dog that can’t function properly when they aren’t around you and develops separation anxiety, try putting on some soft music when you go out. The dog will be less likely to feel anxiety if there is a familiar noise. It could be just what he needs to get over his anxiety while he waits for you to come home.
As a dog owner, you must take the time to care for your dog’s physical and emotional needs. The information you have just read will help you know what needs to be done. Use what you learned here and you can have a healthy and happy dog.