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The 4 Ultimate Dog Care Tips
Ultimate dog care encompasses all of your dog's physical,
emotional, psychological and medical needs. Here are some of the
things your dog needs to live a long, happy, healthy life.
1. Feed and Water Your Dog Correctly
Obviously, your dog or puppy needs both food and water. You
should make sure your dog has an adequate amount of nutritious
food; commercial pet foods are formulated to meet your dog's
dietary needs. Your dog should also have an uninterrupted supply
of fresh water.
Puppies between the ages of eight and twelve weeks should be
fed four times daily, then three times a day until the age of
six months. From six months to one year, two daily meals should
be given. After the first year, your dog will only need one
daily meal. Look on the dog food package to determine how much
food you should give your dog depending on his weight.
Don't feed him any of the below items, as they are toxic to
dogs:
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Grapes and raisins
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Bones from poultry, which could splinter
- Salt
- Tomato
- Walnuts
- Raw dough made with yeast
2. Dogs Need Exercise and Training
Your dog needs exercise to help keep him lean and fit,
stimulate his intellect and help stave away boredom and stress.
Walk your dog as often as you can, at least once a day, but
preferably two or three times a day. Play with him as often as
possible; if you can't play games outside due to foul weather or
lack of outdoor space, find indoor games that you can play
together. Try to arrange play dates with other dogs; your dog
needs companionship and an active social life as well.
Ultimate dog care should include obedience training, which
can form a part of your dog's exercise routine. Obedience
training teaches your dog discipline and makes him easier to
handle. It also helps sharpen his mind and can serve to burn off
any nervous energy that he doesn't expel during play.
3. Importance of Prevention
Ultimate dog care includes good veterinary care; with proper
preventative care, your dog can enjoy much greater health.
Dogs need to be vaccinated against rabies, canine distemper,
parvovirus and canine hepatitis. Vaccinations should begin at
eight weeks of age, and should be readministered at twelve weeks
of age, six months of age, and one year. After the first year,
your dog will need yearly shots.
Annual veterinary check ups are also necessary. These can nip
many health problems in the bud, making them easier to treat, or
preventing them altogether. Your dog will also need yearly
veterinary dental exams and teeth cleaning. Tooth decay can
serious health problems and even lead to life-threatening
systemic infections.
Spaying or neutering your dog not only prevents unwanted
puppies, but can prevent health problems of a reproductive
nature.
4. Watch Out for Parasites
Most dogs succumb to parasitic infection sometime during
their lives, whether it's infestation by fleas, ticks, worms or
earmites. These sorts of infestations are difficult to avoid,
but easy to treat, and if left untreated, may lead to
complications.
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