Dog Care Tips Towards Keeping Your Dog Healthy

Looking for dog care tips? If you’re planning to adopt or are just about to welcome a new dog or puppy into your home, then welcome into the wonderful and exciting world of dog parenting! As you already know, having a pet comes with plenty of responsibilities that you should be ready for. It is, however, also a rewarding and life-enhancing experience. Dogs are loyal and will love you unconditionally. It’s only appropriate that you give them all the love and care they deserve.

Basic Dog Health Care Tips

If you’re a new dog parent, here are the most important dog and puppy care tips you should know.

1. Stock up on all the basic pet care supplies.

With a new puppy comes the exciting opportunity to go shopping for supplies! Here’s a checklist of the basic stuff you need to care for your dog:

• High-quality dog food
• Food and water bowls
• Dog leash
• Hair brush and flea comb
• Collar with ID tag
• Training crate
• Dog bed and blankets
• Toothbrush and nail clipper
• Dog carrier (small dogs)

You can buy these from pet supply shops near you or online pet supply shops.

2. Provide a healthy living space.

Provide comfortable and pet-proofed quarters for your dog, where he has everything he needs. His space should be warm and quiet enough for resting. This is one of the most important pet care tips for dogs, as your dog’s health would be greatly affected by his surroundings. Make sure his crate or dog bed are always clean and in good condition. Wash and replace dog beddings regularly. Puppies are especially curious and energetic, so make sure the area, he will be staying in is secure. Use indoor fences if necessary and remove any potentially toxic plants, substances, and household cleaning items.

3. Introduce a healthy diet.

Tips on puppy care, of course, include providing a healthy diet for your dog with premium dry dog food mixed with broth, water, or canned wet food. You may also add fruits, vegetables, or eggs to his meals from time to time but only in small amounts. Observe a regular puppy feeding schedule. Make fresh water available at all times. How much should you feed your puppy? Young pups need to be fed more frequently after they have been weaned. Adult dogs can be fed one large meal or two small meals daily.

• Puppies 8-12 weeks old – 4 meals/ day
• Puppies 3-6 months old – 3 meals/ day
• Puppies 6-12 months old – 2 meals/ day
• Puppies 1 year old an up – One meal a day (Or 2 small meals for larger breeds)

Is it okay to feed your dog “people” food? Your dog can get all the vitamins and nutrients he needs from premium quality dog food. Feeding canines food from your own table can cause supplemental deficiencies, picky eating, and even obesity, so it’s best to limit how of your own food to give him.

4. Get him vaccinated.

When you just got a new puppy, vaccinations would be among the first things you need to make sure to do. As soon as he’s settled, take the puppy to the vet for his initial round of shots. The vet will be setting up an immunization schedule that would tell you when your next visit is due. It’s important that your pet gets all the essential vaccinations to protect him from dangerous infections and diseases such as parvo, distemper, and Lyme disease. You may also ask your vet for professional dog health care tips such as what signs you need to watch out for as your puppy is growing.

5. Get an ID tag and a microchip.

Buy your dog a collar with an ID tag that contains all your information, in case he escapes and gets lost. When you take him to the vet, it would also be a good idea to have him microchipped as a precaution. In the event that your puppy gets lost, it would be much easier to locate you as the owner if someone found him. Here are the other things you should do if your puppy gets lost.

6. Observe regular grooming.

Grooming is another essential aspect of dog parenthood. A healthy dog should be free from fleas and ticks, which is why you need to make sure your pup gets regular baths and grooming. Dogs with long fur and thick coats need frequent brushing and to always be checked for fleas, especially on warm weather. Should fleas appear, consult your vet for treatment solutions immediately. During cold weather, mats and ice balls can form beneath the paws so hair needs to be trimmed also.

7. Learn proper handling.

When carrying a puppy or a small dog, place one hand under the chest and support the hind legs or the rump with your other hand. Do the same when you have to lift a large dog.

8. Give him training and exercise.

Teach your puppy basic commands at a young age and he will grow to be a well-behaved dog. It takes a bit of time and patience, but it’s not something you’d want to put off for later.  Use positive reinforcement as part of your dog training techniques and never punish your dog. Set aside a few minutes a day to play with your dog. Use play times for training as well as to strengthen your bond with your pet. Understand that dogs are very social creatures and they would certainly look forward to spending quality time with you.

Toilet training is an important part in your dog’s development. Take him outside after feeding him at the same time every day to finish his business.

9. Allow him to socialize.

Another thing to remember is that dogs need to socialization to be able to do better in training. Give him ample opportunities to meet people and other pets, with some precautions. Keep him in a strong leash when you take him out to dog parks. You may also enroll him in puppy classes if you can afford it.

10. Consider spaying / neutering.

At six months of age, you may consider if you want to spay or neuter your pet. Consult your vet to know more about the procedure.

Learn More About Basic Dog Health Care Tips In A Infographic

Being a dog parent is not much different from parenting an actual child. It can get a little overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time, but as long as you remember these dog care tips, your puppy is sure to grow into a healthy and well-behaved pooch. Do you have additional new puppy care tips to recommend? We’d love to hear them in the comments.