Dogs bring joy and happiness to any household they join from the moment they step their paws in it. No one can resist the charm of their puppy eyes or the cuteness overload of their wagging tails.
Yet, canines need a lot of care and attention to stay healthy and happy. Whether you have just adopted your first puppy or you’ve taken care of dogs for years, there are some pro tips you should be aware of to ensure your pet’s wellbeing and become the best pet parent you can be.
Food and Water
It is a fact that dogs love food and would eat all day if they can. That’s why you should control the portions offered to them. The servings number and size differ depending on the dog’s age and breed, as a rule of thumb those are the recommended number and size of serving for your fluffy bundle of joy:
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Four meals a day for eight to 12 weeks old puppies
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Three meals a day for three to six months old puppies
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Two meals a day for six months to one-year-old puppies
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One meal a day for canines that are one year or older
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Serve two smaller meals a day for large breeds or dogs prone to bloating
Each case is different, so ask your veterinarian about the best diet for your furry friend. Resist those puppy eyes and try to limit the amount of “people” food you give to your dog to a maximum of 10% of their daily diet as it can cause digestive problems and add weight. To provide your pup with all the essential nutrients they need, offer them premium quality dry food. You should always keep the water bowl filled with clean and fresh water at all times, and wash the food and water bowls regularly.
When considering pain relief options for your furry friend, it's important to know what is safe and effective. For instance, Mighty Munch provides valuable insights on whether ibuprofen is suitable for treating your dog's joint pain.
Veterinarian Visits
Unfortunately, the life expectancy of dogs is shorter than that of humans, so you need to pay regular visits to your vet to keep your four-legged friend healthy. If you brought home a puppy, then the first trip outside the house should be to receive vaccinations. The veterinarian will put an immunization schedule for your puppy. If you have just adopted an older dog, the veterinarian will make sure they are up-to-date with all the vaccines. You should take your dog for regular check-ups once or twice a year for getting tick and flea prevention measures, cleaning their ears, and getting any usual routine procedures to be done. Especially if you see symptoms like your dog's ear twitching, loss of appetite, or unusual behaviors, a vet visit is necessary.
Spaying/Neutering
Sterilizing your dog helps prevent many health problems while also reducing the number of homeless dogs on the streets. Spaying your female dog will reduce her chances of developing breast tumors and uterine infections. The dog lovers at WoofBarkGrowl.co.uk recommend spaying your pup before going into their first “heat” to prevent these diseases once and for all. Neutering your male dog will make him less aggressive while protecting hum from testicular cancer and keeping him from roaming around the neighborhood looking for a mate.
Exercise
Exercising your dog is crucial for their physical and mental health as they need to be active every day. Taking your fur baby for a walk or a run will help to fight off their boredom, burn calories, and shake off excess energy. Playing games with your canine companion at home is considered exercise as well, however, every dog has its own favorite exercise.
You know your dog better than anyone, so you should know which activities they like more. Exercising also prevents or reduces destructive behaviors as you will see a decline in digging, chewing, and chasing urges. Finally, it’s also healthy for you to exercise with your little furball and it’s an amazing way to bond with them.
Grooming
We can all agree that you can’t stop your dog from shedding their hair or fur all over the furniture and your clothes, however, brushing their coat will reduce the amount of shedding considerably. Additionally, while brushing your dog, you can detect if they have ticks or fleas, or feel for any bumps or lumps. In case you do find any lumps, you should visit the veterinarian to check them out. Bathing your dog depends on their activities, whether they are dirty or not, but usually, they bathe a few times a year. Cut out all the knots and matted fur from their coat before the bath, and rinse the coat carefully afterward to prevent dirt from sticking to it.
Caring for your four-legged companion may seem challenging, but if you incorporate it into your daily routine, it will become one of the most pleasant activities of your day. Nothing feels more joyful than having your dog welcome you with a wagging tail flailing about uncontrollably the minute you walk through the front door. You need them as much as they need you to care and look after them, so you try your best to be the responsible pet parent they need you to be.
