Have you decided to get a dog for the first time in your life? That’s awesome! You’ll see that there’s no better companion – your doggo will quickly become one of your favorite beings in the world. However, many inexperienced dog owners make the mistake of thinking their pets don’t require a lot of care because they’re animals. As you’ll see by the time you’ve gone through our quick guide, there are plenty of things you should get used to if your want your new furry buddy to stay healthy and happy.
So, let’s get into it!
Cleanliness And Protection
For starters, it’s important to note that the stuff we’ll talk about here isn’t everything you need to do to take care of your dog; those are just the bare necessities. And among them, the primary one is making sure your dog inhabits a clean and well-protected living environment.
In other words, your dog should be sheltered from bad weather, any outdoor hazards, and the elements. If you want them to have a quality life, make sure your pets can always come inside – and if you live in a house and have a yard, making a dog house is also a great idea, though they’ll still be warmer indoors.
Provide Fresh Water
We all need water daily, right? And lots of it! Well, dogs are really no different. They need to maintain a decent level of hydration. Otherwise, their energy levels will go down – not to mention the other adverse health risks of low hydration.
So, provide your pets with enough fresh water in a bowl each day – that’s one of the most important habits you can adopt as a pet owner.
Ensure A Healthy Diet
Yep, pets need pretty much the same stuff we do. And that includes high-quality food that reduces the risk of animal obesity or other health issues. Not sure what a quality pet diet is? In that case, contact your veterinarian and ask them to provide some dietary recommendations.
They’ll tell you everything you need to know – and it’s essential to do this for every individual dog you may adopt in the future. Remember, each dog breed has its own nutritional needs based on its genetics, age, size, and activity levels. Don’t just give them table scraps – even if they’re clearly happy to have them.
Have Them Checked Regularly
Speaking of your veterinarian – they’ll tell you all about deworming, parasite control, vaccination schedules, and any other regular checkups to which you should take your dog. Also, ensure you always have your dog’s vaccination records around – take them with you if you take your dog on vacation too. And if you think that your dog may be injured or ill, it’s vital to contact a vet right away. If you’re asking yourself is pet insurance worth it – trust us, it definitely is.
Give The Dog Their Workout
Just like a human, a dog needs to stay fit to be healthy. And the only way for that to happen is for your dog to get ample exercise opportunities. If they’re moving around enough, they’ll be in better shape – which means they’ll be able to do more of the stuff they enjoy doing.
Communicate With Them
As far as pets go, dogs are among the more social ones. And that means they like interacting with dog owners and other dogs. Over time, you’ll learn to recognize the specific needs of your dog and the way they try to communicate them to you. However, for that to happen, you also need to spend enough quality time with them.
This isn’t just advisable to keep your dog sociable and happy – learning to recognize their behavior means you’ll be better equipped to recognize any signs of deteriorating health, illness, or any acute issues. Plus, the more time you spend with them, the better behavioral patterns they’ll develop.
Train Your Dog
These days, there are plenty of dog and puppy training classes – and there’s a ton of literature on the matter as well. It’s worth investing enough time and effort into training your dog – the better they are at following a couple of basic commands, the easier it will be for you to take care of them and provide them with a long, safe life.
Practice Proper Dental Care
You’ll find that different dog breeds are more prone to suffering from gum disease than others. If left untreated, gum disease in dogs can lead to difficult complications. The infections that stem from this condition may lead to tooth loss and even infection in critical organs, like the heart valves. So, you want to do your best to prevent this – and regular dental care for dogs is the best way to do that.