Friday, September 5, 2014

Taking Care Of Your Furry Friends: Dog Care Advice

By Marissa Delossantos


A dog is a person's very best friend, as the saying goes. Millions of dog owners know that to be true. The challenge that you must be as good a friend to your dog as he is to you. If you use the tips below, you are going to be able to know you are a great friend to your dog.

Whenever you travel with your pet, don't skimp on the packing. Of course you need to be well supplied with his food, water and any medications he may be on, but experts advise that you also bring his grooming supplies, vaccination paperwork, tags and an extra leash. Also, bring a flat sheet for when your dog will be on hotel furniture.

Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.

Your dog needs a stimulating environment if it is going to live a long and healthy life. Providing him or her with one is not really that hard. Simply make sure you take your dog for walks each day, and purchase a few toys that you and your pet can play with together.

Do not feed your dog "people food". Not only will table scraps turn your dog off on their regular food, but it will also teach them to constantly beg. Scraps can be terrible for his diet and lead to obesity and other health problems. Put your dog in another room while the family eats, and do not allow him to reenter the dining space until dinner is done.

Talk to your vet about what you feed your dog. A lot of the time a dog might not want to eat some brands of dog food, this might make them sick. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.

Giving your dog a bath is essential to his health. Depending on his size and activity level, toss him in the tub weekly or monthly and always use a shampoo that is made for dogs and is pH balanced. Pets have different pH levels than humans and a good dog shampoo will leave your canine clean with a beautiful shiny coat.

Brush your dog often, even if he's got short hair. It's good for his coat and skin and can alert you of possible issues like fleas, tics and eczema. The dog will also enjoy the attention and brushing him regularly will keep more of his fur from flying around the house and landing on your furniture and carpets.

Timing is key when bringing your dog home. Try to introduce him to his new home over the weekend or when you have a couple of days off. Take the time to get to know one other - this will make him feel much more comfortable when he has to spend time in the home alone. Also, if you have children, make sure that they don't overwhelm him at first. If you have other pets in the house, be extra cautious when introducing the new arrival.

Get creative with your dog's ongoing training. For example, teach him commands in other languages or show him how to do something that will really impress everyone he meets. He will love showing off to people and the extra learning will create a more well-behaved animal who is happier with himself.

It's not rare for dogs to acquire cuts by stepping on debris or glass pieces. If your dog gets a cut, make sure that it is washed with antiseptic and then have a bandage wrapped around the wound. If the cut is relatively deep, bring your dog to the vet.

When the weather gets warm, start checking your dog for ticks and fleas. Use a comb for fleas to get rid of them. You should invest in some quality products designed to kills fleas and ticks. Talk to a vet regarding these products or some other options.

If you have a lone dog think about getting another if he is feeling lonely. Dogs prefer living in groups with other animals. Get dogs of similar energy levels and temperaments for the best results.

Since you asked for advice, and now have received it, the next step is to put it to use. That means truly implementing what you have learned and then enjoying the rewards it brings. When you see your dog sleeping peacefully, bliss on his face, you'll appreciate putting in the effort.




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