Taking Care Of Fido: Dog Care Tips

By Sally Byrd


It's a big responsibility to care for a dog. Providing for your dog is kind of similar to having a child, expect you have one that barks. While it is a tough job, it is possible to succeed by using smarts and patience. Tips about dog care follow in this article.

Being a dog owner requires a financial commitment. Every dog is going to need supplies, good food, and will also need medical care. After all is said and done this could cost about $800 or more. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.

Your home needs to be 'dog-proofed'. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Place any meds or household cleaning supplies out of reach, and place any trash cans in a cabinet. Keep house plants out of his reach, especially if they could be poisonous.

When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. Make an appointment as early as possible. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. Remember that there is a tremendous dog overpopulation problem, so you should have your dog spayed/neutered.

You can always choose to foster a dog for a few weeks if you're not sure about making the full commitment of dog ownership. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. Become a foster parent to test the waters.

If you are interested in adopting a pure breed, consider visiting the dog pound. There are often pure bred dogs at shelters and rescues, and they are desperately in need of homes. All you have to do is give your local shelter a call, and you can find out which breeds they have. You may even save a poor dog's life.

Buy or build a home for the dog if they need to stay outside when it's cold. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Always protect him from wind, sun and rain by making sure he has a dry shelter to go to.

Talk to your vet about how much your dog should eat. While some people follow the direction on the back of the dog food packaging, they are sometimes incorrect and may make your dog overweight. Your vet should be able to let you know what your dog's specific needs are.

Avoid trying to force things into your dog. If you offer him a treat he doesn't seem to like, do not make him eat it. Get to know your dog better to figure out how you can make it happy.

Be careful about the kind of food your dog is eating. There are many kinds of dog food to pick from, but you must locate a type of food that is best for your dog's size and age. When you give your dog leftovers to save money, you have to make sure your dog is getting the right nutrients and vitamins.

When selecting a new dog to come and live with an existing dog, take your current dog to meet him if at all possible. While dogs are naturally social, some find it easier to get along with newcomers than others. If you find one that gets along with your current one, you'll save yourself a lifetime of headaches.

Were you aware that some vitamins could hurt your dog? If your dog eats commercial foods, he doesn't need vitamin supplements unless your vet advises you to give them to him. Some vitamins cause irreversible damage. Before giving your dog vitamins, get your vet's OK.

Choose your dog's food carefully. There are quite a few different types of food out there but you have to get one that works with your dog's size and age. Letting your dog eat leftovers is something you may think can save you money, but really that's not healthy for it at all.

Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop certain health issues. Research his background and prepare for problems he might have. Also, seek advice from your vet.

In the case your dog has separation anxiety, leave music or the television on when you leave your house. The sounds will help your pet feel safer and will make it feel like it's not alone. It might help with any anxiety issues.

You should give your dog the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. Socializing your dog can be done by going to dog parks, play dates and the groomer.

Find a good training course for your new puppy. A well-trained dog who responds properly to commands is a happy dog. You will be happier with him, too. While training a puppy is usually easier, it is far from impossible to train an older dog that you might acquire.

Ask your vet what to feed your dog. Dogs with medical issues will need special foods. If you have a dog that has health problems, you need to feed them the correct kinds of food. Your veterinarian can recommend the best diet plan.

You dog doesn't need you to comfort it if it's whining a lot. It may be tempting to reassure them, but that would make your dog think that there is something that they should to worry about. It is best to play a game your dog is familiar with so your pup forgets about its anxieties.

You may be able to tell what your pet needs just by studying their body language. However, now that you've read this, you can understand that dogs are deeper than just body language. This is something that your pet will appreciate.




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