How to Best Take Care of Your Dog

As a dog owner, you naturally want to do everything possible to care for your pet. This typically involves regular care and activities to make sure they remain happy and healthy. The following tips will help you become and stay a responsible dog owner year after year.

Veterinarian Visits

Responsible dog ownership begins with regular visits to the vet’s office. As dogs live shorter than humans, you should make sure you take them for a check-up at least once or twice a year. Depending on their vaccination schedule, you might take them more often when they're young, but maintaining good dog health means staying consistent even when they age.

Vaccinations

Vaccinating your dog is a crucial element of responsible pet care. As soon as you get your dog, schedule an immunization appointment. During that first visit, the vet will establish an immunization schedule that would protect your pup from possible illnesses such as rabies, Lyme disease, and distemper. If you've got an adult or senior animal, ensure they are immunized as well. Vaccinations need to be renewed and aren't reserved only for young pets.

At-Home Care

As your pet's owner, it’s your responsibility to give them good hygiene care at home, in addition to the vet's and groomer's. Providing healthy, nutritious food, brushing their teeth, trimming their nails, and combing their coats will keep them in top shape.  

Brushing your dog’s teeth is sadly frequently overlooked, but it actually makes a huge impact on their overall health. Dental treatment can be quite expensive, and to avoid additional costs, prevention is the best method. Include brushing their teeth into their normal routine, and make it even become a fun activity every day. Moreover, use dog dental sticks which are made to assist you in preventing and reducing plaque build-up, as well as keeping unwanted dental diseases at bay.

Proper Identification

Dogs can be quite unpredictable, especially younger ones, so it may happen that they dash through the door, or get lost in the park. Proper identification is the key to making sure you get a happy ending. The basics would include a collar with a nametag containing your contact information.

In addition to this, it’s advisable you microchip your dog, as there's always the risk a collar might fall off. The microchip is an electronic device the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under your pet's skin. It can be found and read using a scanner. You only need to make sure the information on it is up-to-date in case you change your address or phone number.

Neutering

Neutering or sterilizing your pet is a procedure that prevents a variety of health problems such as complicated or unwanted pregnancies and reduces the number of strays. Spaying your female dog greatly reduces the risk of cervical and ovarian cancer, and prevents them from going into "heat." This also reduces the chances she will run away searching for a mate. Neutering a male puppy alleviates aggression and roaming the neighbourhood, and it also prevents testicular cancer.

Healthy Food

Being a responsible pet owner includes providing your dog with fresh water and healthy food at all times. Proper pet food will enrich your dog’s life and provide them with the energy and nutrients they need. It can be challenging to choose the right dog food with so many choices out there, but in time, you’ll get more adept when you get familiar with what essential ingredients are and how they benefit your dog.

When choosing the best dog food, look for a product that balance out protein, carbs, fats and fibres. On top of that, opt for a pet food formula that is right for your dog’s age, activity level and health condition. If necessary, seek advice from your vet.

Training and Socializing

Among the most important aspects of responsible dog care is making sure they get proper training and socializing. It’s best and most effective to start them young, but it's never too late to teach your dog a few new tricks. The number one priority is toilet training for any pet that shares your home, but it's also essential you work with them on obedience.

Learning socialization skills will benefit your dog greatly as it’ll help them bond with you and with other animals. If you’re feeling insecure about your training skills, ask for recommendations for good training guides you can read and professional trainers in your area. A well-trained dog is also a happy dog, and that means a happy dog owner as well.

Many dog owners adore their pups as if they were their own children. That is admirable, but it must also include providing proper care for your dog. You need to ensure they get the best care possible so they could live a long, healthy and happy life. Quality health care for your dog that includes regular visits to the vet, vaccination, proper nutrition and physical activity is what will ensure they lead a good life from puppy days to senior age.