No doubt! Pets, especially dogs, make our lives beautiful. If you already own a dog or are thinking of having a dog in the future, you should know that you are responsible for the health and happiness of your dog.
You have to meet the physical and emotional needs of your dog. This means providing a safe home, nutritious food, plenty of exercise and playtime, and more.
If you’re wondering how to care for dogs and what things are necessary, read this article through to the end.
Nutritional Requirement
Always select high-quality food for your dog. Read the label before selecting dog food. Dog food should contain some type of meat, not meat derived from the products. Dog food that contains meat has a higher nutritional value.
Always feed your dog on his regular schedule. It is recommended to feed your dog twice a day, once in the morning and the other half at night. Feed them based on their age, physical activities, and follow the written instructions on the dog food label.
If you follow a stable feeding routine for your dog, it will help in the house training of your pet because dogs go to the bathroom after 20-30 minutes of eating. Do not feed your dog excess food and treat, as it can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
Never feed your dog foods that are dangerous to his health, such as avocado, chocolate, grapes, onion, and xylitol. Give them plenty of water all day because food is not the only thing they need to survive.
Daily Exercise
Regular exercise is necessary for dog care. It will burn their calories and keep them healthy. The dog’s exercise needs depend on age, sex, and level of health. Exercise also prevents destructive behaviors like digging, chewing, and chasing dogs.
If you can’t get enough exercise, be sure to take them for a walk around the block. If you have a small dog like a toy poodle, you can play fetch games, while a German shepherd needs 30-45 minutes of play to burn its calories.
Regular Grooming
Grooming can help your dog stay clean and healthy and is an important part of pet care. While grooming your dog, always look for fleas and ticks. Some breeds of dogs do not require a regular bath, on the other hand, some hairless breeds, such as the Crested Chinese, require a regular bath.
Comb your dog before bathing to remove all mats from the coat. The frequency of brushing varies in dogs and is highly dependent on your dog’s coat type and shedding. While brushing your dog, you can access your dog’s health.
Veterinary Care
It is recommended to take your dog to the vet for a regular health checkup and pet care. If you have a young dog, once a year, the checkup is sufficient, but for older dogs, it is necessary to make regular veterinary visits.
Vaccination is an essential aspect of dog care. Start vaccinating your puppy from an early age. There are certain viral diseases such as parvovirus, canine distemper, and rabies that can be prevented by following the proper vaccination regimen.
Your vets can give your dog flea and tick treatment during the warmer season. A single flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs, so it is best to keep your pet free of them. There are many flea and tick control methods available, you can ask your vet if your pet has any flea related problems.
Similarly, never self-medicate your dog. If your dog suffers from any disease, poisoning, or health problem, take it to the vet immediately and admit it if necessary.
Spaying and Neutering
Spaying and neutering are necessary for male and female dogs before six months of age. Spaying in females helps prevent uterine infections, breast tumors, and other health problems. Spaying your pet before its first heat will provide the best protection against disease.
Similarly, neutering in men helps prevent prostate problems, testicular cancer, and behavioral problems.
Pet care is itself a big responsibility. You must take care of your dog’s needs. This includes adequate nutrition, daily exercise, regular grooming, regular veterinary visits, and spaying and neutering at an early age. If you take care of all these aspects of your dog’s life, you will have a healthy pet for life.