You might already own a dog or are thinking about becoming an owner – either way you are aware that it’s a huge responsibility. This isn’t something that you can just do from day one. Read through the following guide for some hints on how you can take better care of dogs.
Hugs are great, but steer clear of kisses. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs love to dig in garbage, get into the toilet, and then they lick their butts, yuck! Many people believe that dogs’ mouths do not have as much germs as humans’ mouths. This is not in the least bit true.
If you are going to taking your dog on vacation, take a pic of him on your phone. If they’re separated from you, then you’ll have a current photo that you can easily access and show others or to download for “lost” flyers.
If you have over-the-counter medication or prescription medication in your home, keep it in a place the dog can’t access it. If your dog ingests your medications, it could be fatal. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Make sure you are using the right flea treatments on your pet dog. A large number of them contain high doses of carcinogens and other hazardous ingredients. Talk to a vet about safe alternatives and keep little kids away when applying any flea treatment.
Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.
It is important that your dog’s nails are not allowed to get too long. Once the nails start to curl under, they can cause your dog a great deal of pain. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. If you aren’t confident enough to do it yourself, take the dog to a local pet groomer.
What types of health problems are typical for your dog? Research his history and figure out what problems he may be a candidate for. Talk to your vet about prevention, too.
For pure bred dogs, don’t discount local pounds to find one. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. Speak to the nearest pound to see if an option suits you. You’ll be saving a life.
Ensure your dog will return by placing some type of identification on them. One way to do this is to always have your dog wear a collar, and ensure that the collar has an identification tag attached. This tag needs to contain all of your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. Having your vet equip your dog with a micro-chip is a good idea.
Now that you know more about dogs, you shouldn’t have serious concerns about caring for them. Your pet will appreciate you being loving and patient. You need to look around to find out more information to make your dog happy.