If you already have a dog or maybe your thinking of getting one, you maybe familiar
with some of the responsibilities that accompany dog ownership.
Your dog is not going to let you forget when he wants some serious attention from you or his meal times, but he can't remind you about the other things that are necessary for dog care -- things like Careing for his appearance, providing a proper place to sleep or regular checkups at the vet to prevent him from getting sick.
If you're serious about your roll as a responsible dog owner, it's great that you are taking
the time and effort to learn about proper dog care in order to help your dog to live a long
and healthy life.
Now lets look at all the areas that make up dog care in greater detail…
Feeding your dog
Dog care starts with quality (dog food). Be sure to provide premium quality dog
food that will provide the best (nutrition) for your beloved furry friend. Good nutrition is
the cornerstone to good health – not only will he have more energy, remaining healthy,
he will be able to fend off disease and recover more quickly if he does get sick.
By all means avoid the cheaper dog food that you find in supermarkets or
department stores. Dog food manufacturers are legally allowed to use meat
and grain products that are unfit for human consumption. Cheap dog food
often have meat products from diseased or disabled animals, and feeding
these types of substandard food products to your dog can make him get sick.
Premium dog food costs a bit more but it will save you money in the long
run.
If you are going to change your dog’s diet or you have a new puppy, introduce the new
food in little amounts to his usual diet, and then gradually increase the portions until he is
eating only the new food you have selected for him. This will give his stomach time to
adjust and avoid vomiting or diarrhea. Keep plenty of fresh water available for your dog
at all times. Be sure to use clean dishes and store dog food in a cool and dry location or if
you decide to cook your own, in the refrigerator.
To your dogs health
In many cases, a dog is a 10-15 year commitment. You can do your part to help ensure he
stays healthy for that long by taking him to the veterinarian regularly for health check
ups. To protect him from the most common diseases that dogs can get, you need to condsider vaccinations and learn which ones are required.
If you see a litter of puppies in your future and are well prepared to take care of the needs
of your dog and the brew then good for you! If this is not in your plans then you should
consider spaying or neutering to prevent increasing the population as well as the other
health benefits it provides.
At some point, you’re going to have to deal with the dreaded (internal
and external parasite) problems that crop up with owning a dog and how
best to treat them or prevent them all together. Should your dog get
sick or injured, there a special ways for caring for a sick dog that helps speed up his recovery time.
Fitness - dog style
Another step in dog care is regular (exercise and play).Dogs are active creatures and they
need plenty of exercise to keep them in top shape. Exactly how much exercise they need
depends on their age and their breed, but you should plan on taking your dog for a walk
and making time to play with him, thus giving him the attention he craves.
This type of dog care is human care too! Owning a dog often gives us the exercise that
we might otherwise miss out on. This helps your dog burn off excess energy which is
good for both his health and his temperament -- he will be calmer in the house and less
likely to engage in destructive behavior.
Dogs love physical contact and grooming gives you the opportunity to supply that.
Regular coat brushing is good for his coat and helps to control fleas and ticks – and nothing
makes a dog look and feel better than a good bath every month or so.
And there’s more…
Up till now we have been talking about looking after your dog's physical well-being, but there is much more to dog care! Your dog must be properly socialized in order to fit into your community, and you must follow the rules and regulations concerning dog licenses and dog control.
A well-trained dog is a pleasure to her owner and to everyone she meets. If you
begin training your pup the moment he becomes a member of your household, he will quickly
learn what is expected of him and how to behave properly, both at home and when you
are out traveling with your dog. Many owners overlook this aspect of dog care until
they realize they have an unruly and obnoxious dog on their hands.
To sum it all up- If you are willing to put the time and effort in creating and maintaining
a regular routine of dog care, you will be richly rewarded with the experience of great joy
that comes with living your life with a healthy and happy canine companion for many
years to come.