Wed 6 Jan 2010
Caring for a Dog: Basic Rules
Posted by Lisa under All Things Dog
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When considering caring for a dog, the best thing you can do is offer her your love. Of course it should go without saying, it starts by providing the basic necessities of food, water and shelter.
This would be enough to gain the loyalty and devotion that only a dog can bestow.
However, veterinary care and sufficient exercise are other important factors to consider when caring for a dog, your dog!
I recommend the Ultimate Guide to Dog Health to help with assuring your dog’s optimal health.
But let’s go back to the basics. When deciding what food to set down for your four-legged companion, there are several things to consider.
Take care in reading the labels to ensure you are giving her quality food. Dogs will eat anything so it is important to give them the most nutritionally sound product you can find.
Dogs are meat eaters by nature so make sure this is a large portion of what goes into their bowl.
If you are ever in question, prepare the food yourself. Just be sure to seek the advice of a veterinarian or other professional before throwing last night’s leftover’s into her bowl.
There are some things that are not good for a dog to eat so be sure you know what is healthy for Fifi.
As for water, your dog must have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
If your dog is not sleeping in the house then make sure she has a proper shelter or doghouse outside. And be sure it is adequate to keep out the sun, rain and wind, and also has a raised floor to prevent her from having to sleep on a cold, damp ground.
Plus, it is important to make sure the area of the shelter has proper drainage. Never tie your dog to the doghouse or any other stake or post; she could easily get tangled and choke to death.
If you do not have a fenced yard I would suggest keeping the dog inside except for walks on a leash.
Aside from the basics, regular trips to the vet will give your companion an advantage to fighting any ailments or mishaps. So be sure to see that she is kept up to date on shots and these visits can be a preventative measure in catching any other problems that may arise.
Also, Fifi needs regular exercise, even if you have a yard. Going for a walk or playing fetch not only provides her with adequate exercise; it gets you physically active too!
Bathing and good grooming is another important factor in keeping your treasured dog healthy; especially if she has long hair.
Another issue you might want to prepare for is keeping Fifi safe. Make sure she can’t escape and run into traffic. And take measure to prevent bigger, more aggressive dogs from gaining access to you beloved dog.
And dangerous chemicals or poisons should be kept out of Fifi’s reach. Remember, dogs eat anything!
If you travel with your dog, utilize a harness or gate to keep them from jumping or falling out of the window. This will also prevent injury if you are ever in a car accident.
One thing you might consider is training. This keeps behavior in check and allows for a greater bond between the two of you.
Caring for a dog can be very pleasurable and rewarding if you are steadfast and diligent of her needs.
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