It's natural for you to want to care for your dog so he can be with you for many years. The good news is that there is much that can be done to care for dogs. Learn how to maintain a diet of quality food, be alert to veterinary care, and do your best to provide a healthy and loving environment.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Maintaining a Good Diet
Step 1. Provide high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food and treats
This should be the dog's main source of nutrition. Read the first five ingredients listed on the dog food label. These ingredients are the main ingredients of the dog food. Meat (not mixed meat products) and vegetables should be the first few ingredients in a dog's diet. The list below could be mixed meats and whole grains.
- Avoid substitute ingredients in dog food that can harm your dog's health. Some of them are: Ethoxyquin, Propylene Glycol, BHT/BHA, corn and corn syrup, and mixed animal meat products.
- Occasionally, some dogs will show signs of a food sensitivity or intolerance. Watch for: diarrhea, vomiting, or skin conditions. Talk to your vet to determine what foods your dog can and can't eat.
Step 2. Be careful when giving dogs human food
Be aware that certain human foods can harm or kill dogs. Dogs' bodies don't always metabolize food like humans do, so make sure your dog can't eat the following foods: grapes, raisins, chocolate, avocados, yeast dough, nuts, alcohol, onions, garlic, chives, and gum without sugar (mostly contains xylitol). All of these foods are toxic to dogs.
While you can make your own dog food, you should discuss it with a veterinary nutritionist or veterinarian who is knowledgeable about pet food nutrition. This will ensure that the dog's diet is nutritionally balanced
Step 3. Keep your dog's weight at a healthy level
Dogs are said to be overweight if they are 10-20% heavier than their ideal body weight. If a dog is 20% overweight, he is considered obese. Obese dogs have a higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and bladder stones. Talk to your vet about your dog's ideal weight and feed him accordingly.
Most dogs are overweight or obese from not getting enough exercise and eating too much. Read the specific guidelines listed on the dog food package regarding the portion of food based on the ideal body weight
Step 4. Give treats to dogs
Like humans, treats or snacks can add a few calories to a dog's daily calorie allowance. This can make the dog gain weight. Try giving home-made treats instead of store-bought ones.
Offer low-calorie snacks like carrots, canned chickpeas (low in sodium and washed to remove added salt), or a small piece of sweet potato
Step 5. Always provide your dog with fresh water
Dogs need lots of clean water for their bodies to work properly and digest food. The water should also be clean and fresh, so change the water at least once a day. Clean the bowl or bucket of drinking water with dish soap and water occasionally. Clean and dry the container before adding fresh water.
Bacteria and algae can grow in the bowl, especially in the dry season. In winter, you should prevent the bowl of water from freezing
Part 2 of 4: Caring for Dogs
Step 1. Treat your dog every day
Comb your dog's coat to keep it shiny and healthy. This will also encourage good circulation. Watch for lumps, swelling, or cysts on the skin and see a veterinarian. Scabies, redness, or itching of the skin should be checked by a veterinarian.
Grooming a dog is also a good time to check for skin problems such as fleas
Step 2. Trim the dog's nails
While your dog will take some time to get used to, trimming his nails can be a part of caring for your dog. Be careful not to cut the inside of the nail as it contains sensitive blood vessels and nerves.
If you're not sure how to trim your nails, have a vet show you how to trim your dog's nails
Step 3. Brush your dog's teeth daily
Brushing your teeth will remove any plaque or bacteria that has built up on your dog's teeth. This is also a good opportunity to check for mouth swelling, loose or cracked teeth, or other odd problems. Only use toothpaste specifically for dogs. The fluoride content in human toothpaste is toxic to dogs and can cause serious health problems.
Sometimes, a dog's teeth need to be cleaned at the vet. He will be sedated while the vet performs a thorough dental examination and cleaning
Step 4. Examine the dog's ears
Ears should not smell or emit discharge. The inside of the ear should be white; but dark haired dogs can have dark inside ears. Turn your ear to check it out. Ears must be clean of dirt, dust, or parasites such as lice. Plants can also get into the ear. This must be cleaned carefully.
If your dog has a drooping ear type, the dog's ears should be checked daily or regularly
Step 5. Clean the dog's ears
Use a product made specifically for cleaning dog ears or use a mixture of half white vinegar and half alcohol. Wet a cotton swab with the mixture and wipe the inside of the dog's ear. If you see blood on the surface of the cotton swab, stop cleaning it and consult a veterinarian.
Excessive shaking of the head, scratching of the ears, presence of odor or discharge (sticky, liquid, or brown) are not normal. If you think your dog has an ear infection or other ear health problem, take him to the vet
Part 3 of 4: Caring for Dogs
Step 1. Provide shelter for the dog
Most people who own dogs choose to keep them indoors. If you keep your dog outside, provide an insulated dog house, warm bedding for cold weather, shelter for hot weather, food, and water (which won't freeze or pool). Never leash your dog as this can cause injury to the dog's legs and neck.
Don't keep your dog outdoors if he's not used to extreme weather. You will be called an abandoned dog if you keep your dog outside without proper shelter. If you can't protect your dog properly, keep him indoors or don't have a dog
Step 2. Give your dog plenty of exercise
Depending on the breed of dog, exercise can be a 10-15 minute walk or an hour of play in the park. A fun game of throw and catch or Frisbee can also be challenging for very active dogs. Playing or taking walks are good opportunities to bond with your dog.
Exercise and play can reduce bad behaviors, such as messing around the house, biting carelessly, and being aggressive. It can also maintain the dog's weight so that the body stays healthy
Step 3. Socialize with the dog
Once he has received all the most important initial vaccinations, socialize. This means that you can gently introduce him to other people, animals, and dogs, as well as to situations other than his home environment. Getting into the habit of walking your dog in the car or walking around neighborhoods and dog parks are great ways to introduce him to people and other dogs.
As long as your dog is not afraid or feeling threatened, he will get used to this situation. The more unique social situations your dog is introduced to as a child, the better
Part 4 of 4: Providing Routine Health Care
Step 1. Take the dog to the vet
Schedule regular annual checkups so your dog can get important tests and vaccinations. The vet will also know your dog and can tell if something is wrong with his health. Regular checkups can prevent many curable diseases.
If you have a puppy, take him to the vet when he is about 6 weeks old. The puppy will be checked for hernias, heart, lung, eye and ear problems. The puppy will also have a deworming schedule and initial injections and boosters
Step 2. Vaccinate your dog
The rabies vaccine should be given in about 12 weeks and is required in many areas. You will be severely punished if you haven't vaccinated your dog and it bites someone or another pet. Consider vaccinating your dog to prevent Lyme disease. The disease causes joint pain, swelling, fever, and possibly fatal kidney problems.
Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, living in the fields, or hunting are at a higher risk of developing flea problems
Step 3. Consider neutering the dog
Neutering a dog can reduce some behavioral problems and reduce the chance of tumors and infections. If you neuter your dog, you no longer have to worry about grooming or placing unwanted puppies.
The use of microchips is also supported in case the dog gets lost
Step 4. Watch for and prevent fleas
Watch for signs of fleas on your dog, including: black dots on the coat, lots of licking and scratching, or the presence of scabies on the skin. Once you find fleas on your dog, you have several options. Visit the vet for medication to eat, bathe the dog with flea shampoo, and put a flea collar on the dog.
A flea necklace and monthly skin care are good ways to keep lice at bay. Talk to your vet about a flea prevention routine
Step 5. Get your dog checked for heartworms
Annual blood tests are needed to check for this increasingly widespread disease. Heartworms are transmitted from mosquito bites, so this disease is difficult to prevent. However, monthly ingestion of tablets or injections for 6 months is required to kill organisms present in the bloodstream.
If your dog has heartworm, there are treatments but it can be difficult, expensive, and can take months to fight off
Tips
- Some dogs are overweight due to health problems. Obesity can be a feature of a disease, mostly hypothyroidism (poor working of the thyroid gland) or Cushing's disease (overproduction of the thyroid gland). Dogs who are overweight due to the above diseases should be supervised by a veterinarian and on a special diet to maintain their optimal weight.
- If you notice that your dog is not behaving normally (weak, not eating, restless, sick), call your veterinarian immediately.
- Trace your dog's key information such as: name, age, breed, description, license and microchip, vaccinations, and dog photo.
- NEVER hit or throw anything at a dog. He will only attribute punishment and will not obey or fear you.
- As your dog gets older, take him to the vet at least twice a day for checkups. Older dogs often suffer from arthritis and heart problems like the elderly. There are effective and safe treatments that can allow your dog to live a pleasant, pain-free life.
- Feed your dog healthy food, keep the dog active, and take the dog to the vet every now and then. Play with the dog by playing catch or chase. Give your dog good food and take him to the vet every now and then.
Warning
- Don't give a small ball to play with. These balls can go down his throat and make your dog suffocate.
- Never give cooked bones or other fatty foods. Bones can clog the digestive tract and dogs no longer need expensive surgery to treat them. Fatty foods can also make a dog suffer from pancreatitis and undergo expensive veterinary treatment.
- Very hard bones, stones, and wood can crack or damage the teeth of dogs who are aggressive biters.
