3 Essential Tips for Taking Care of Your Dog
Of course, adopting a dog is a huge responsibility. Taking care of your dog, or a dog that you hope to adopt, is not an easy task. Even though the steps are simple, you must know that it will be for the rest of your life.
Before adopting, you have to be sure you know that a dog is much more than that adorable little ball of fur that you have fallen in love with. He is a living being that will depend on you all the time. For eating, for drinking, for doing his business, for exercise, for going out, for everything…
So, if you have already thought seriously about this, and you still have decided to adopt, congratulations! You just got an eternal love for your whole life. However, we believe that there are at least 3 pieces of essential advice that you need to know for taking care of your dog. Do you want to know them? We are going to give them to you in this article!
3 tips for taking adequate care of your dog
Let’s say that we are going to make a list of the three most important points in general and then break down what each of them cover.
Care
Within this section, we include regular visits to the veterinarian. Yes, a dog means more expenses, but they are necessary expenses if you want him to be healthy and happy.
Vaccines, the mandatory chip, oral cleanings, and annual check-ups are vital for maintaining your pet’s good health.
The removal of parasites is also something that you shouldn’t pass up. A small tick could end the life of your new little friend. Check-ups at home, as well as taking or applying parasite removal medicines are essential.
Exercise is another vital point in this section. There are people that think that taking the dog out three times a day to do his business is sufficient. This is one of the biggest mistakes made, since exercise should form part of a pet’s life, no matter his size.
Nutrition
Saving money is good, but when we want to save money on food, such as our pet’s food, it’s a huge mistake. Talking to the veterinarian will help us learn the necessary nutrients for our pet according to his breed, physical condition, and weight.
Based on that, you will be able to choose the brand that is best tailored to his needs. However, we recommend that you choose a good quality brand. You will come out ahead in the long run.
Also be sure to take care of his dishes. Keep them clean with fresh water and food when necessary. One or two times a day is enough for a dog. It’s not necessary to have the food bowl full all the time.
Don’t forget to give him a treat once in awhile either…
Hygiene
Maintaining your pet’s hygiene is your responsibility, no matter if you take him to the groomer’s or if you do it at home. Hygiene is more than just a bath. Like we have said before, oral cleanings are important. Even if you take him a couple times a year to the veterinarian for that, it’s recommended that you do it at home at least once a month.
Ears are an important part that we must keep clean although we might forget about them on occasion. It’s best to do it at least once a week.
And of course, brushing. Brushing your dog’s hair daily will not only make him beautiful and shiny, but it will also strengthen the hair and give him a healthy appearance.
If you have any doubts, your veterinarian is the best person to guide you. But if you have these essential tips available, your dog will be a healthy and happy animal. Come on, the effort will be worth it!