Taking care of your dog is as important as taking care of the people that you love. Avoiding excesses and keeping a close watch on Fido are important for having a healthy dog. Of course, that is more easily said than done. What exactly should you be watching for, and what should you avoid? Here are some tips that are well worth remembering.
Keep Chemicals Away
There are many chemicals that are used in households that may be potentially poisonous to your pet. One example of this is the antifreeze that you put in your car radiator which often spills on your driveway during winter. Make sure that you keep your dog away from these spills because the sweet smell attracts dogs and ingesting antifreeze could kill them very quickly.
Don’t Feed Dogs Chocolate
Although we can eat as much chocolate as we want, dogs are not as lucky. It seems that chocolate has an ingredient called theobromine that is really harmful to dogs. Eating a large amount of chocolate could get your dog very sick and even kill him.
Feed Dogs Appropriate food
Although generally, dogs can eat whatever we eat, it is still advisable to give them foods that are made especially for them. Eating “people” food can cause obesity. There are foods fit for humans that dogs cannot eat safely, for example chocolate and onions.
Don’t Leave Dogs Outdoors in Severe Weather
Never forget to bring your pet inside the house during very cold weather winter. Like people, they also run the risk of getting hypothermia when exposed to the cold for too long. It’s also a good idea to bring them in to the air conditioned house on very hot days, and to make sure they have plenty of water.
Don’t leave Spot In a Hot Car
Although most dogs love a ride in the car, and we like their company, if you’re going shopping or elsewhere on a hot sunny day and will be away from the car for any period of time, it’s best to leave your dog at home. Leaving a dog in a hot car for even a short period of time can result in a very painful death for him. The inside of a car gets extremely hot from the sun, and dogs cannot sweat like humans do.
Keep Emergency Phone Numbers Close To The Phone
If your Vet does not have 24 hour service, be sure to find out where the nearest Emergency Veterinary clinic is located, and keep their phone number handy. Also, get the number of the Pet Poison Hotline and keep that close at hand as well. If you are going out and a petsitter or babysitter is staying home, make sure to show them the location of the emergency numbers as well.
Keep close ties with your vet
Visit the veterinarian regularly and and make sure that your dog gets all the recommended preventative medications that your vet suggests, especially heartworm, parvo, and rabies. If your dog will be staying at a kennel, protection from Kennel Cough is also called for.
Proper hygiene
Good hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for people. Regular brushing will prevent the fur from matting, and will also alert you to skin or flea problems early. Also, keep Fido’s nails clipped, and periodically brush and check your dogs teeth.
Have Your Dog “Fixed”
Unless you are a professional dog breeder, you should get your dog neutered or spayed. This will help male dogs stay away from bitches in heat, and will also prevent unwanted pregnancies for your female dogs.
