10 Dog Care Tips: The Ultimate Pet Parent’s Guide
Whether you’ve just adopted a new puppy or you’ve had dogs your whole life, there’s bound to be something in this list of dog care tips that you didn’t know – but should.
As someone who’s worked in animal hospitals for 10+ years, and an avid dog lover, I promise this massive list of 39 dog health tips will help you be a better pet parent. Here’s what you’ll find: Pet health tips.
The first step in cleaning your home is getting the basics in order, like cleaning windows and washing dishes, and then continuing on to do things that keep the home organized and clutter-free. The next step is taking it up a notch and doing some work on your house. Do some exercise and mental stimulation as well.
Training, bonding, winter care, summer care, dog safety, these are the different words used to describe what the dog-owners want for their dogs.
0:00 Intro 0:26 German Shepherd 1:27 Golden Retriever 2:40 Labrador 3:42 Beagle 4:47 Poodle 5:56 Bulldog 7:11 French Bulldog 8:18 Rotweiler 9:27 Husky 10:40 Corgi 11:29 Mutts
1. Don’t overfeed your dog, it will significantly impact their health and happiness
The problem with dog obesity is a big one. Over half of all dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. This puts them at higher risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes, joint diseases, heart disease and many other common ailments.
They also are less mobile and can’t do as many of the activities they want to. A good diet for your dog will make them happier and healthier, so consider getting them the amount recommended by your vet and stop making excuses about “that one time when I did too much”.
02. Keep your dog away from human food
You might not think your dog would like avocado, but many people are surprised when they realize that their dogs can’t stand the texture. Some foods can be hazardous to your dog’s health and it’s important to keep human foods out of the reach of your pet.
Don’t feed your dog human foods on purpose unless recommended by your vet. Some human foods, like plain chicken, canned pumpkin, or plain rice, may be recommended intentionally by your vet for specific reasons such as digestive upset, diarrhea, to help hide oral medication or as highly motivating training treats in small quantities.
Some pet owners make the mistake of thinking that because their furry little friends eat what they eat, they need to feed them what they eat, and the same goes for the kitchen. If you want to provide your dog with healthy meals, it pays to think about how you plan to feed your four legged friend and then apply that knowledge in the kitchen.
03. Applaud your pet when they successfully relieve themselves outside
The trick to potty training your dog is to keep doing it until it becomes a habit. For dogs who are learning to be house-trained, bring treats out with you and immediately reward them for going outside and doing their business. If you keep rewarding them with treats even after the process has become a habit, your dog will feel very positive about it and will want to continue on their own.
If you keep your puppy on its new potty training pad or in the puppy potty training collar for about 10 minutes after going to the bathroom, it will make the process much easier.
04. Slowing down a super eater
The quickest way to reduce your dog’s stress is to simply slow their eating down. That’s because it helps them digest their food better and can prevent upset tummies.
A better option is to invest in a training puzzle feeder. A training puzzle feeder is like a normal feeder but it has a food puzzle inside of it that the dog has to solve before they can eat. This way, they’re not only having to deal with the inedible objects of the feeder, they also have to work at figuring out the puzzle.
05. Watch their feet
Your dog’s paws can become dangerously warm if you place your bare hand or foot on the hot pavement. If you can’t comfortably place your bare hand or foot on the hot pavement outside, the pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on.
You’ll likely want to do some investigating before you get your puppy. Consider factors like what you’re most comfortable with (are you more comfortable with the safety of a fenced yard or would you rather have a bigger property to roam around in?), how much exercise your puppy gets and how it interacts with other animals and people, and what the dog can learn to do in the first place.
06. Never let your dog ride in the back of your truck
A recent study showed that there are more than 100,000 dog deaths each year as a result of being struck by a vehicle. This doesn’t include the countless number of animals who are injured in other ways. Dogs need to be in your car at all times, preferably in some type of restraint.
If your dog is relatively small, quiet, or both, you may want to leave him in the car at all times. However, if he’s large, active, or both, you’ll want to get him a seat belt attachment that buckles directly to his harness so he can keep his head and chest in one of the car’s safe zones.
If you have any questions about where is safest for your specific dog to ride in the car you can always consult your veterinarian.
07. Beware of ice and winter salt
After spending so much time indoors with no physical activity, your dog is now forced to brave the cold weather as well. If you’re going to let your dog outside for the first time, make sure you keep an eye on his paws!
If your dog has sensitive skin, and it is consistently uncomfortable, consider investing in a pair of dog booties. These are boots that are designed to protect the feet and legs of dogs from sharp objects and other things that could potentially cause injury. In addition to the protective covering they provide, these boots come in many different styles, colors and sizes so you can find the right pair for your dog! You can also make sure that your pet has a salt-free home with salt-free pavement and gravel.
Pet safe salt is a type of salt that has a special coating on it which prevents it from being harmful to pet paws. This type of salt can be used by people to sprinkle on their food so they don’t accidentally ingest it.
08. Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times
It can be difficult to keep track of a dog if you can’t see it for a long time. You should consider having a microchip implanted in your dog so that you can find it in the case of separation. This will be much better than waiting for an emergency call and not knowing where your dog is.
09. Consult your veterinarian before trying new foods or medications
A diet change can be a life-saving tool for your cat or dog. This is especially true if they have specific health issues such as kidney disease or heart problems. A vet is the best person to help you make those decisions on what will work best for your pet.
Make sure you get a safe, proven product and don’t go on-the-fly with a home remedy. That way, you’ll have accurate, updated data on your pets health and lifestyle in the event they get sick or injured.
10. Provide them with a constant water source
Dehydration is incredibly dangerous to dogs and can happen quickly. You should be vigilant with how much water your dog is getting, and you should also make sure that they have easy access to clean, fresh water.
The only sure-fire way to know whether your dog is in heat is to take a look at their behavior. During hot weather, dogs will become more likely to pant and may even start acting out. It is always good to contact your veterinarian if you see any of these changes
