Proper Care for a Healthy, Happy Dog
When you first bring your new baby home, it is only sensible to continue feeding him the same food he is accustomed to. However, if you are concerned about his diet, ask your veterinarian or breeder what he recommends. If you choose to change the diet, do so slowly. For about a week, continue feeding the same food. Then, for the next three days, give him a 50/50 diet: half of the old food, half of the new. Observe his reaction and if all goes well, present him with 75 percent new food, 25 percent old. Eventually, you can move him to the new diet with no repercussions. There is a huge difference in the type of food available on the market. Be sure to check the ingredients list and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to check with a professional. And although your new friend might prefer the taste and texture of wet food, feeding him dry food (at least in combination) is a better solution for tooth cleaning.
Naturally, your little pal needs fresh water — a lot of it. Change the water frequently in his bowl and take care where you place this resource. Shade is a better option because the sunlight can cause the water to heat up rapidly. As for bowls, stainless is probably the best option because they are super easy to clean and therefore, more sanitary.
Grooming your dog is an absolute necessity. Short haired dogs can shed profusely without careful grooming with a short bristle brush. For longer haired dogs, make sure that you are caring for his undercoat by starting in the foot area, using a downward motion and moving up several inches at a time until he is completely groomed. He will love it! When you are ready to bathe your little beauty, please purchase a good dog shampoo — the pH levels in humans and dogs are not the same so he needs his own doggie soap.
Dental health should be high on your list of priorities for your little friend. Purchase a soft dog toothbrush, toothpaste and rinse for him. He may have a preference in flavors (just as you do) so don’t hesitate to try something different if he seems to rebel against the taste. Use a vertical motion when brushing and reward him with lots of good love and pets afterwards. This little ritual will soon become a normal part of his life and healthy teeth and gums will be in his future.
If you choose to trim your dog’s nails yourself, you need to realize that his nails contain a pink area and a white area. Be sure to leave a fair amount of white area when trimming. The pink area is very sensitive and contains blood vessels and nerve endings. If you cut into this segment, an “ouch” is sure to follow. If you are blessed with a dog that has black nails, just take him to the veterinarian or groomer to have his nails trimmed. This task is beyond most of us simply because we don’t really know where the nerves and blood vessels are located.
It is imperative that you find a veterinarian that you can trust — one who will help you keep your friend in optimum health. The first time you bring your new dog home, please take him immediately to your veterinarian for his first check up. If adopted from a kennel, he will definitely be checked for “kennel cough,” fleas, ticks and probably worms. If this is your first experience with a dog, inform your veterinarian of this. He will be more than happy to share his expertise with you, inform you how often your dog needs to be checked and how to keep his vaccinations up to date. Now, your little guy is not able to tell you verbally when he isn’t feeling up to par. But if you take the time to establish a firm relationship with him, you quickly will be able to catch abnormalities in his behavior and make a quick visit with his friendly doctor. A little tip — always keep your veterinarian’s phone number and the number of a 24-hour emergency clinic in an area where anyone who is caring for your dog will be able to see it.
Every dog owner needs to be fully aware of these simple guidelines. If you faithfully adhere to this program, your dog will surely live a long and healthy life, and you will be rewarded with his unending trust and love.
Tags: dog care, Dog Health, Dogs