Essential Dog Care Tips to Keep Your Pet Healthy, Happy and Safe

Having a dog in the house can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life. Many people tend to think that a dog is just a pet, but once they have one, they will soon realise how important the dog is to the entire family. Dogs love their humans unconditionally, and they soon become a part of the family like any other person is. Therefore, owners must take care to provide only what is best for the dog, for the well-being of the family.

This article has a few tips which can come in handy when the owners are trying to take care of the dog, and include basic dog care and many feeding tips too.

How to Take Care of a Dog?

Here are some tips in general, with some being both old dog care and puppy care tips.

1. Quality Diet

This is one of the most important dog health care tips you can follow. Like any other member of your family, your dog too needs his nutrients and vitamins in order to remain healthy and happy. You will soon see the formation of a shiny hair coat, healthy skin and bright eyes If you provide a good diet to your dog. It improves bone health, immunity power, muscle health, mental acuity and a lot more.

2. Protected and Clean Environment

While these may all be the norm for humans, they are often ignored in the case of dogs. Good hygiene and protection from the hazards can go a long way in ensuring their mental and physical health.

3. Fresh Water

Unlike timings for meals, there should be no constraint to the amount of water that the dog can drink. Hydration is extremely important for his energy levels and overall health.

4. Veterinary Visits

In some cases, the dogs seem to be extremely scared about having to visit the doctor – in many others, their owners do not have the time, so they tend to push it indefinitely.

In any case, dogs need to have regular check-ups from the doctors so that their health is never in any danger. You should have a record of the vaccination history of the dog and have a schedule for general deworming and parasite control. Remember that dogs, unlike humans, cannot communicate discomfort directly to you – therefore the onus is on you to take the prerogative.

5. Exercise

Never, ever feed your dog beyond his capacity. In many households, overweight dogs are the norm – this is construed to be a symbol of love and care he is receiving. However, exercise is more important than feeding the dog too much, so you should ensure that the dog is always running around and being fit in general. This can greatly improve his mood and general health.

6. Communication

Unlike what many people think, dogs are inherently intelligent too. They can read the emotions of those close to them and are extremely social creatures. They need to be loved too, in order to maintain their mental health. By having a relationship, you can also understand any signs of illnesses that may be coming on.

7. Train Your Dog

If your dog is able to follow simple, basic commands from an early age, he can add value not only to his life but yours as well.

8. Dental Care

This is a common part of dog care for ‘German Shepherds’ and ‘Pomeranians’ since they are susceptible to a lot of gum diseases. Infections in the mouth can have serious implications, which could even lead to premature tooth loss.

9. Nail Trimming and Grooming

If you have a dog which can grow a long coat, you should take care of any matts and ice balls which may form on the coat. Overgrown nails need to be trimmed too since they can reduce the mobility of the dogs.

10. Reproductive Control

Take a decision on whether you want puppies or not – if you do, prevent any mismatching by taking appropriate measures, and if you do not, neutering or spaying is definitely an option. Remember to consult your veterinarian about this early on.

Pregnant Dog Care Tips

Taking care of pregnant dogs include most of the above tips, but some additional ones too – some of which have been detailed below.

• Start preparing areas where the dog can give birth. Dogs prefer this place to be quiet and dark. Get this ready at the earliest so that the dogs can start getting used to them as much as they can.

• The importance of a healthy, nutritious diet increases during the time of pregnancy. Dogs are in need of much more vitamins and nutrients, because of the growing puppies in their womb. Consult with your veterinarian on how you can feed your dog at this time.

• Do not let your dogs become lazy owing to pregnancy. She-dogs need to have strong bodies too, in order to carry the puppies and give birth. You can walk your dog for around half an hour and engage in light exercises too.

• Let them be comfortable, and minimize any chances of stressing them out by adjusting the environment accordingly.

• Let the vet check the dog at least thrice over the course of the pregnancy so that you can be sure that there are no complications in the pregnancy. This is crucial, in order to solve any problems that may be arising.

• Even though there are many dogs which do not like anyone around when they are giving birth, ensure that you are present to comfort your dog when she is giving birth – especially if it is her first time.

Having a dog puts a lot of responsibilities on the owner. You should treat the dog just like any other member of the family, since they are just that – therefore, they deserve the best in all aspects, too.

Also Read:

Best Low Maintenance Pets You Should Know
Tips for Maintaining Hygiene With A Pet In The Home
DIY Recipes That Your Pet Will Surely Love to Eat