How to Care for Your Dog

When it comes to your family, the dog is just as much a part of it than any other human being. That’s why it’s important to make sure they live a healthy and hopefully long life with you in your home. Here are some top tips to help keep your dog healthy.

Diet

Choosing the correct diet for your dog is one of the most important decisions you can make when it comes to their health. There are so many different breeds that it can often be hard to decide what meal is best for your dog. A small terrier won’t need the same kind of food as a big greyhound or St. Bernard, for example. Make sure you choose a food that is tailored to your pet’s age and weight.

Your dog could also be more than just a pet. It could also be a colleague. Whether that’s on a farm, working for the emergency services or even used for sport, their diet is even more important. Make sure your dog has a proper working dog diet to give them enough energy to complete their day-to-day tasks. Choose a meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and protein to help fuel them for work. Make sure they regularly have access to water, especially on hot summer days.

Pamper your pooch

While they may seem like a wild animal, it’s important to keep your dog well groomed. If you have a particularly hairy dog, make sure you regularly brush and trim their hair. If their coat gets too long, it could become knotted and uncomfortable and your pet could even struggle to keep cool on warm days.

As well as their fur, it’s important to keep their nails trimmed. You should be trimming your dog’s nails just as often as you trim your own nails (experts recommend every two weeks). If you let them get too long, it could cause them discomfort every time they take a step. Make sure you buy a pair of specially designed dog nail cutting scissors. When you are cutting their claws, make sure to be as gentle as possible and keep calm so they don’t get spooked.

It’s also important to make sure their teeth stay clean, too. Many breeds of dog can be prone to gum disease, which can cause them to lose their teeth and even affect other vital organs. While you can get special dog toothbrushes and toothpaste, it can often be easier to buy them a snack that is specially designed to clean their teeth.

Train them

We can’t always be with our pets. That’s why it’s important to train them in terms of what’s right and wrong while we’re away from the house. If they tend to chew on things they shouldn’t be while you’re away, make sure to try and stop that bad habit as soon as possible. Make sure they understand simple commands like “no” or “stop” so you can get their attention if they are doing something dangerous.