Owning a pet is a lot of fun but there are many responsibilities involved. You’ll need to know a few things if you want to have fun with your dog. This article will tell you all about dog ownership.
Getting a dog is going to cost you some money. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. Getting emergency care from the vet is costly, so you may need to take a look at health insurance for your pet.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog’s mouth is extremely dirty. Dogs will eat their own waste, dine on garbage, and gulp water straight from your toilet. There is a belief that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. It simply is not true.
Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Because your dog can’t speak with you, you may have trouble knowing when your dog is feeling pain like if it has arthritis. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.
Avoid giving your dog scraps from your table. This can make your dog not want to eat his dog food, and it will promote begging. Giving your dog table scraps isn’t good for his health as it could result in weight gain and digestive problems. Keep your dog away from the family dinner table for training purposes and to avoid any temptation.
Choose a dog in that can easily and happily blend into your lifestyle. For instance, if you jog, a toy poodle may not be as great a choice as a dog that is able to run with you. If you are more of a homebody, a smaller, less active dog who enjoying being pampered is the better choice. Selecting the right dog will make you both happier.
Always give your dog lots of praise and hugs when it does something right. You need to reward good behavior. Your dog will soon understand that good behavior is rewarded with praise.
Let your dog have rawhide rather than bones from the meat you eat. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. Also, rawhide is better for the health of your dog’s teeth.
Do not force your dog to eat things. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. When you get your dog you should spend some time with it to learn exactly what kinds of things it enjoys.
If you’re adopting your pet from a shelter, it’s important that you take it to see a vet immediately. Shelter dogs have likely been exposed to all kinds of viruses, such as parvo and distemper, which are deadly. Your puppy needs to get a few shots before you can safely bring it home.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. In fact, do it the same day as you bring the pet home so you don’t forget. The veterinarian will do a full checkup and set a schedule for his vaccinations. Also talk to your vet about getting the dog spayed or neutered – there are already way too many dogs in shelters, and you really don’t want to add to this problem.
A great dog owner is a well educated person. It is a bit tougher than just choosing a cute puppy. Responsibility is a key factor. Use the tips you have learned in this article so you can enjoy your pet even more.