Dogs are part of the family and it is important to understand how to care for dogs. Taking care of a dog should be a top priority for any pet owner, but many people don’t know how to do it right! For example, if you are planning to buy a spa, it is better to opt for chemical free hot tubs, because they are safer for your pets.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dog grooming, including bathing, brushing your teeth, and more. We’ve included 10 tips every home parent needs to know when grooming their furry friend.
Dog care tips
Do not overfeed your dog
Obesity is a huge problem for dogs today, and it has been shown to have many health risks such as diabetes or joint problems because of extra weight on bones and joints. If you feed your dog twice per day, measure the food so that they will get about an ounce per pound of their body weight. If you feed them once per day, use about two ounces of food for every pound that they weigh.
You need to have a slow-feeding bowl so that your dog eats at the right pace and can digest their meal properly without gorging themselves or fighting with other pets over who is going to get more food! Also make sure that you do not feed your dog table scraps, as this can lead to obesity too.
Touch the nose of your dog
If your dog is healthy, the nose should feel cool and moist.
If the nose feels dry or hot, your dog could be sick. You should take him to a vet right away for treatment.
Annual vet visits
Annual vet visits for your dog are a must to make sure they are in good health. A full check-up at the vet can ensure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations, if they are healthy enough for surgery, and that you have a good indication of how old your dog truly is.
Make sure you take any medical records along with you when taking your dog in for their yearly visit so that they have access to any health information they may need.
If your dog is overdue for a vaccination, you should wait until it has been updated before taking them in for their check-up. Talk to your veterinarian about what vaccinations are necessary and when they should be given so that you can spread out the yearly visits accordingly throughout the year instead of having one big check-up.
Create a “pet first-aid kit”
Put together a first-aid kit for your dog. In addition to the usual Band-Aids, hydrogen peroxide, and cotton swabs, include certain items that can help you quickly diagnose what’s wrong with him if he gets hurt or sick while you are away from home. The following list includes just some of those things:
- Thermometer;
- Magnifying glass to examine areas that can’t be seen easily with the naked eye, such as ticks or wounds;
- A disposable camera that you keep loaded and ready to go in case it is necessary for a veterinarian to have an image of your dog;
- A leash and collar;
- Food, water bowls, and additional dog food;
- Plastic bags for cleaning up after your pet.
Get pet insurance
If you have a pet, it’s important to get them the proper medical attention if they ever need it. This means getting insurance for your dog. This will make sure that the high costs of pet care won’t break your bank.
This is also important because emergencies can happen at any time, and you don’t want to have to choose between getting help for your dog or making ends meet.
Brush your dog’s teeth daily
Dogs can get tartar, plaque, and gingivitis just like humans do so it’s important to brush their teeth daily with canine toothpaste. You should also try flossing your dog’s teeth once or twice a week as well because dogs have crevices between each of their teeth that food gets stuck in.
If you’re not comfortable brushing your dog’s teeth yourself, then it’s a good idea to take them in twice a year for dental cleanings at the vet’s office which is about $60-$100 per cleaning session.
Prepare an emergency plan
Prepare an emergency plan for your dog in case of a natural disaster or family crisis. Make sure you have all their vaccinations and medical records on hand as well as contact information for at least one veterinarian who will see your pet outside normal business hours. If necessary, create a first aid kit with the supplies needed to deal with injuries such as bandages, gauze, and tape. You’ll also want to have a week’s worth of dog food on hand in case you are unable to leave your home after an emergency due to road closures or flooding.
Keep your dog away from human food
Keep your dog away from human food, especially while you’re cooking or eating. This can be dangerous and cause your dog to become sick or even die if there’s something toxic in the food (like, say, chocolate). Make sure to keep human food on a high shelf where your dog can’t reach it. If you do give them some of the food, make sure that they shouldn’t have too much, as it could cause digestive problems.
Ensure identification tags and proper licensing
Make sure to get your dog microchipped and tagged with a collar in addition to this so that they have the best chance of coming home.
Dog tags are an important part of any owner’s responsibility for their pets because it keeps track of all the necessary information about a dog including name, address, license number, vaccinations/treatments, and other important information.
Train your dog
Train your dog to be well-behaved. This is best done when they are a puppy, but it can also work with older dogs who have developed bad habits over time. Start by training them how to behave in their kennel – do not just leave them there for hours on end while you’re away. If the door’s open, they should be able to come out of the kennel on their own.
Start with crate training and then move into obedience commands. You’ll need them if you’re ever taking your dog in public places where it’s inappropriate for them to act up – like a restaurant or grocery store. If your pup is already an adult without any obedience training, you can find a trainer or sign them up for classes with an organization like the American Kennel Club.
Conclusion
As you can see, caring for your dog is relatively simple if you know what steps to take. From grooming to feeding and health care – it’s all quite easy when you follow the guide in this article! Making sure you include enough time and energy to care for your dog properly will result in a happy, healthy pet.
