Easy Ways You Can Be A Better Dog Owner
Dogs offer an amazing capacity for love and companionship. Therefore, it is essential for any dog owner to learn all they can about caring for their animals properly and keeping them in the best shape possible. The article below can help.
Always neuter or spay your pet. Studies have shown that this leads to the pet living a longer and much healthier life. Besides, a neutered dog will be less likely to run away or to get in fights with other animals.
Carefully consider what your home is like when deciding on a breed of dog. For instance, if you like to go running, you’re not going to want a little dog that can’t keep up with you. On the other hand, if you are the type of person to sit at home, you need a smaller breed that will enjoy lounging around with you. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.
Avoid buying your dog bargain-based food. Many of the cheapest brands contain additives, preservatives and other things that can compromise the health of your dog. Use an animal advocacy group or some kind of consumer awareness group to see if you can get a list of good foods that are professionally recommended. Your dog will be in better health when he has high quality food.
Build or buy a house for your dog if he has to stay outdoors for any length of time in cold weather. If the dog gets wet feet that could make him stressed out and cause other health problems as well. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.
If you want a dog but don’t know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. There are many less than fortunate dogs in shelters that would love to find a forever home. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.
Prevent matting on your dogs paws by keeping the area well trimmed. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.
Listen to your vet when he tells you how to administer medication or care. Dogs do not like having a cone around their head, but it was given for a reason. The recommendations of your vet are always in your dog’s best interest.
Certain health issues plague particular dog breeds, and you need to know what those conditions are for the type of dog you own. Find out what health problems to expect and learn how to prevent those that your dog is prone to developing. Speak with your vet to determine the correct course of action.
Your dog needs to have mental stimulation as well as ways to become physically active too. You can even teach your dog useful tricks such as fetching the newspaper for you. Your dog is always going to feel like it’s a part of your family while getting trained so that it’s mentally fit.
There are many advantages to owning a dog, including companionship and unconditional love. What any person that wants a dog should do is learn whatever they can about caring for one before they start caring for it. Even if you have a dog already, you need the knowledge you just read. This information will remain useful now and in the future.