Whether you own a regal looking Afghan hound, an excitable Pomeranian or a family friendly Labrador, there are some basic dog care routines that all dog owners must adhere to. While some breeds that are rare or highly pedigreed may need a specially prescribed diet or special grooming practices, generally dogs need you to look after their health, diet, grooming, and exercise.
Here are some of the most basic things you can do to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Diet
Have a regular feeding schedule for your dog, and stick to it religiously. Feed him only high quality and premium dog foods. Economy dog foods are not just inferior in their protein sources, but they may also lack important vitamins and minerals that should be part of a healthy dog's habit. Economy brands can also be more expensive in the longer run since they are often designed to be less filling, so the dog needs more food. While buying a brand of dog food, take your dog's age, weight size, breed and activity level into consideration. Make sure your dog has a constant supply of fresh water in his bowl.
Exercise
No matter what the size of your dog, he needs plenty of exercise, and not just in your yard. Many dog owners make the mistake of assuming that all a large dog needs is a large yard to bound about in. No. A large dog needs a long walk and some fresh air. He would be perfectly happy in a smaller house or yard. Some breeds of dogs need more exercise than others. When your buy a dog, take their activity levels into consideration. If you can't spare a lot of time to exercise your dog, go in for a breed that's comfortable with lesser amounts of activity.
Vet Visits
Your dog needs to have a periodic evaluation of his health by a veterinary doctor. Take your dog to a vet for complete physical every six months. Observe your dog's eating and eliminating habits, and look for changes in his skin and any discharge from his eyes and ears. |
