Smith 
Many people grow up with animals or currently have some. If you’re in the market for a dog, you need to know some stuff. This article has dog tips to help you care for your dog properly.
Owning a dog takes a bit of money. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. You should also look into purchasing a good pet health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills.
If there are prescription and other medications within your home, keep them away from your dog. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. Many contain ingredients that are dangerous to children. Talk to your veterinarian about the safest options, and don’t let your kids near the dog while you’re doing a treatment.
Carefully consider what your home is like when deciding on a breed of dog. If you jog a lot, buy a dog that likes to run, and not something like a toy poodle. If you are more of a homebody, a smaller, less active dog who enjoying being pampered is the better choice. Getting the right fit for you will give you both much more joy.
Cheap Dog
Don’t purchase cheap dog food. Cheap dog food contains lots of preservatives and additives that your dog doesn’t need. Use an animal advocacy group or some kind of consumer awareness group to see if you can get a list of good foods that are professionally recommended. Your dog is going to be healthier if he eats better.
Offer rawhide rather than actual meat bones. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. It has been shown that rawhide bones are safe and great for their teeth, so be sure to not give your dog that ham bone next time.
A daily brush does a lot more than just prevent shedding. Brushing your dog every day helps its coat become beautiful and shiny. When you brush a dog, you are moving the skin’s oils evenly throughout its fur, so it really makes the fur shine and feel great.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. If they start curling under, your dog may experience a lot of pain. Simply purchase a pair of clippers from the store. If you are worried about doing this, simply take him to a groomer – it doesn’t cost very much to get his nails trimmed.
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. A dog requires regular exercise and game time; it keeps him healthy and happy, both mentally and physically. Your dog will get the exercise it needs (and you’ll be a little more active yourself!) from virtually any kind of outdoor activity you share with it. Not only will your canine buddy get the stimulation required for staying healthy, the two of you will bond much more closely.
Your dog should not be left alone outside all day. Many people do this, but dogs need interactions with others. If you have a single dog, it may feel lonely outside on its own. You need to bring your dog inside the house when it is inclement weather outside.
Trimming around the paws of your dog will ensure your dog’s fur doesn’t get matted. You should use a comb to straighten out the hair a bit before trying to trim it. A professional groomer may be a good solution if you are confident about trimming the hair yourself.
Follow through according to your vet’s suggestions if your dog needs something special or has medicine. Your dog won’t like a cone, but he has to wear it. Your vet makes recommendations that will help your dog be happy and healthy, so you should follow your vet’s advice.
Be cautious with female dogs in the heat. If you aren’t, you may have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. A male canine might sense her from a distance of five miles. This can lead to aggression among other males, and you certainly don’t want to be left with an unexpected litter of pups.
Make political decisions which will help your dog! Watch for local legislation that may be passing through the system, restricting and regulating dog owner’s behavior and rights. Frequently, this sort of thing is just a knee-jerk reaction based on an isolated incident. You can be a great help by showing the local officials that responsible owners should have rights.
Take the dog to see the vet often. It’s important that the dog sees a vet every so often to make sure there aren’t any shots that they might need. Puppies have to go to the vet more often than older dogs. If your dog becomes ill or is injured, don’t delay in getting him to the vet.
Choose your dog’s food carefully. There are many options, but you should match your dog to food that was made for his age and size. You might think that you can save money by feeding your dog table scraps, but this is very unhealthy.
Are you aware that vitamins can harm your dog? If your dog eats commercial foods, he doesn’t need vitamin supplements unless your vet advises you to give them to him. Too many vitamins can damage his body, particularly the bones, joints and blood vessels. Speak with the vet before giving your dog any vitamins.
These tips will help you become a better owner for your dog. Use these different tips and do more research on the things you need to know about to properly take care of your dog. Keep the information from this article in mind as you work towards taking better care of your dog.
