Pet Care Tips, Advice and Information

When it comes to canine health, a “hound” prevention is worth a “pound”cure. Keep your dog healthy with a regular schedule of vaccines, worm medicines,cleaning, exercise and proper diet. Despite careful planning, however, you should prepare for potential problems from the start. Know the emergency numbers for poison control and a 24-hour animal hospital. Learn animal first aid and CPR before you bring home a new dog. When problems occur, consult your veterinarian immediately for advice, and let health care professionals deal with anything but the most minor incidents.

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How often do you brush your teeth? While most dog-owning humans break out the lip toothpaste twice a day, they often neglect their dogs teeth entirely. Some people hold the misconception that dog biscuits or bones will effectively do the job, and find the idea of actually using a toothbrush on their dogs humorous or unnecessary.

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Unless your dog becomes extremely dirty, smelly or covered with sticky substances, a monthly bath will meet its cleaning needs. After you clip and brush the fur, trim the nails and wipe the ears and eyes, the dog is ready for a bath. Do not bathe the dog until it is brushed, otherwise clumps and mats will become unmanageable. Ear and eye cleaners can be messy and should be rinsed afterwards in a bath.

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If you decide that regular grooming is best left to a professional, you will need to choose someone that is right for you. It is less expensive to take your dog to the groomer rather than have the groomer visit you, but these services do exist in several states. Most mobile groomers bring a fully equipped van and clean your dog while they are parked in the driveway or street.

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Grooming your puppy from an early age will make the entire process easier for you and the dog. Having the right tools and grooming products will facilitate the procedure as well. Before buying a pedigreed dog, consult with a professional dog groomer. All new dog owners should invest in a general grooming book and or select a quality groomer. While you may not need all of the following items, many of them will repay your initial investment by saving you time and aggravation.

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Regular grooming that focuses on the coat, teeth, nails, ears and eyes will help your dog look and feel healthy. You will need a brush and comb, nail clippers,toothbrush, dog toothpaste (or baking soda) and a towel. With a little practice, you and the dog will find grooming a painless and rewarding experience.

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Dogs can become overweight because of overeating, under-exercising or from a variety of ailments. Dogs that gain weight without a change in diet or lifestyle should visit the veterinarian since an infection, parasite, disease or thyroid condition may be the problem. Dogs that gain weight in the absence of illness are probably overeating and under-exercising. Increase your dog’s activity by taking more frequent or longer walks and playing games (both indoors and out. You should reduce the amount of food given to the dog, but consider supplementing the diet with low-fat food, often called “cite” food, to add bulk without a lot of calories.Read and compare labels carefully, however, to be sure that the package delivers what it promises.

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Your dog’s body weight, age, metabolism and activity level determine the amount of food it should eat each day. As a general guideline, consider that the average adult dog needs about 60 calories per pound of body weight daily. Young puppies, given their active natures and growing bodies, need about 100 calories per pound per day. As dogs age, their caloric needs diminish and old dogs need only about 30 calories per pound per day.

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Along with your dog’s regular diet of canned or home-made food, you will have to consider the usefulness of a variety of supplements, including bones and dog treats, vitamins, fatty acids and Brewers yeast.

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With the popularity and proliferation of commercial food today, most dog food companies are selling nutritional, well-balanced products. As long as you follow the feeding guidelines on the package carefully, no additional supplements are necessary.

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