Owning a dog brings with it the responsibility of taking care of the dog also. In return for the loyalty and security that the dog provides your home with you have to take care of its health and well-being – an unspoken contract that has to be understood by every owner. Now, the actual task of dog care can be broadly divided into five headings.
Food and Water
Although most owners do not realize it, the health and well-being of a puppy is crucially dependent on its diet. Simply stuffing the dog with lots of food and meat (as some do) will not ensure its good health. Different breeds of dog have different food requirements. Hence, it is the first task in dog care to consult a vet about the diet that is best for the dog you own, and stick to it.
Furthermore, you should make it a point to stick to a strict schedule of meal timings, and reduce snacking for the dog to a minimum. In the case of water, always make sure that there is water kept in a trough at any point of the day – teach your dog to drink water from it. Drinking lots of water is good for dogs also. Visit Website for further information.
Shelter
The kind of shelter you give your dog is also important part of care. In case you decide to keep your dog indoors, it is important that you give it a proper place to sleep and ensure that is clean, cozy and comfortable. Make sure that your dog sleeps on its own bed regularly.
If you build a doghouse for your dog, then you have to take care that it is clean, dry, well ventilated, protected from the elements, and that it remains warm in winters. Try and not keep the dog holed up in the dog house at all times – they love company and become morose and thin when they are kept in isolation.
Visits to the Vet
This too is vital in dog care, especially in the puppy stage. Get your dog all the immunization shots required and don’t hesitate to go to the vet on noticing any irregularities in behavior. It might be an infection that is causing the dog discomfort.
Grooming
You also have to groom your dog properly for it to remain healthy. This involves regular baths, nail clipping, regular brushing of the coat, ear care, teeth and gum care. A well-groomed dog is a pleasure to have around the house.
Exercise: Walks and Runs
Taking your dog out for a walk and/or a run daily can have a great positive impact on its health. It will increase its appetite, regularize bowel movements, and keep your dog fit. Therefore, you can’t afford to ignore this in the context of dog care.
Dog care might be tedious and a lot of hard work, but it is a small price to pay if you really cherish the company of your dog. Taking care of it should be as important, if not more, as taking care of your own health.
