Dogs require much more than some food and a few pats on the head. Your dog needs love and care all day. How can you know what to do with your dog? There is a wealth of dog advice in this article that might be of use to you.
In the same way that a yearly physical is helpful to you, a yearly trip to the veterinarian is a must for your dog. It can be difficult to know what could be causing your dog pain since they cant talk to you. Regular checkups will assure these issues are caught before they turn into something big.
Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.
Your vet can give you some good advice on what you should feed your dog. Certain brands may not be right for a small pup and could cause him to get a stomachache or become sick. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health over time. You should contact an animal advocacy group or a consumer awareness program to get some recommendations for quality dog foods. Your dog will be in better health when he has high quality food.
Try not to force your dog to eat things. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. It’s important to take your pets likes and dislikes into consideration and to not push them into anything unnecessary.
If you want to get a pet from a shelter, find a vet who can examine your new dog. Animals from shelters sometimes have viruses or might have already been sick when taken in by the shelter. The best thing to do is to ensure that you new dog has all the necessary vaccinations before it comes home with you.
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. Dogs need game time and regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically healthy and happy. Whether you decide to take the dog for a walk or if you’re just playing fetch, it will benefit both of you. In addition to providing much needed exercise, you will develop a lifelong bond with your pup.
Make sure that your dog is not kept outside your home all day long. This is done for various reasons, but your dog needs interaction with people. A dog with no companions can feel very isolated and stressed out if he is left alone outside. Also, when the weather gets bad, you need to keep your dog inside.
Always follow any instructions from the vet carefully, especially if your dog requires medication or other special attention. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but it’s prescribed for a reason! Your vet makes recommendations that will help your dog be happy and healthy, so you should follow your vet’s advice.
Learning more about dogs will ensure that you can become an expert. This means that you can give your dog a longer life by letting it become your loyal companion. Doesn’t it stand to reason that your dog craves responsible care from you as well as love and affection?