Humans have been friends with dogs for as long as man has been writing his history. The relationship seems reciprocal, with both dogs and humans benefiting from the arrangement. The human’s job is to care for that dog. Here are some tips to help you to know what you can do to ensure your dog is a healthy dog.
You should have your dog spayed or neutered. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. Also, dogs that get fixed won’t feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won’t get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
Don’t allow your dog to leave your property without being on a leash even if you think your dog is well behaved. A feral animal might catch their attention, causing them to pursue them, or an unplanned incitement might lead to a bad situation with other pet owners. Your dog is your responsibility, so treat him right.
Take a photo of your dog when you plan to take him on vacation. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. In fact, do it the same day as you bring the pet home so you don’t forget. Your vet will provide a full check up and establish vaccination dates. Also talk to your vet about getting the dog spayed or neutered – there are already way too many dogs in shelters, and you really don’t want to add to this problem.
Consult with your vet about the types of foods that are good for your dog. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.
Get your new pet a veterinary exam. Make a vet appointment right after the dog comes home. Your vet can make health recommendations, make sure that vaccinations are up to date and help with maintenance items like flea care and proper diet. Speak with a vet about getting your dog neutered or spayed since there is a massive dog overpopulation problem that you don’t need to add to.
Take time and correct bad behavior when you first see it. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. 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!
If you only have one dog and they aren’t happy or can’t handle being alone a lot, consider getting them a companion. Dogs are pack animals by their very nature and usually prefer the company of their own kind. Match them on energy and temperament for the best selection.
Always make sure that your dog is wearing some sort of identification on their collar. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. Include your dog’s name and your phone number on the tag. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
You don’t just have to “wing it” when it comes to your dog’s care. There are a lot more dog foods than what you see in the grocery store. Just remember the information from this article and provide your dog with the best possible care.
