Whether you recently got a puppy or have had dogs your entire life, this list of dog care advice is sure to contain something you didn't know but should.
As a passionate dog lover and someone who has worked in animal hospitals for more than ten years, I can assure you that this extensive list of 39 dog care suggestions will make you a better pet owner.
This is what you'll discover:
- dog health advice
- maintenance tasks and puppy-proofing
- exercising and stimulating the mind
- Bonding
- Training
- in the winter
- in the summer
- Canine safety
- Healthy Dog Tips
1. Don't overfeed your dog because it will negatively affect their wellbeing and health.
In America, there are more than 50% of dogs who are obese, and this percentage is rising. Dogs who are overweight are more likely to have metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, joint illnesses, a weakened immune system, and a host of other health issues. They are also less mobile, which limits how much they can play, run, or engage in other activities. Feed your pet in accordance with the vet's recommendations, and resist the urge to give in to their puppy dog eyes when they beg for more.
2. the nose of your dog
Your dog should have a damp nose. A healthy dog will have a cold, somewhat wet nose since canines release perspiration via their noses to cool off. The amount of wetness will vary between dogs and depending on the time of year.
3. Schedule yearly visits to the vet
Allow the professionals to routinely evaluate your dog to check for any health issues and to give you the finest, individualised advice to keep your priceless pooch healthy for many years.
4. Create a kit for "pet first aid"
Being ready with all the necessities to assist your dog in case of an emergency or accident is a vital part of being a good pet owner. This is crucial if you take your dog camping or hiking because you can be far from help. Every dog owner has to have a DIY pet first aid kit.
5. Purchase pet insurance
Emergency room visits, unplanned illnesses, and accidents frequently cost $800 to $1500. A third of pets may require emergency care each year, which can quickly add up in cost. Pet insurance is a crucial investment for the furry members of your family because it can assist in paying for these unforeseen expenses, prescription prescriptions, long-term health concerns, and more.
dog-costs-of-treatment (Pro Tip: Check out Pawlicy Advisor's marketplace for pet insurance.)
6. tooth brushing for your dog
The importance of brushing your dog's teeth for both preventative dental care and overall wellness is sometimes underrated. Make this a regular part of their regimen, and be sure to use dog-specific toothpaste. Teeth brushing may be made fun for your pet every day with a little patience and instruction.
7. Prepare an emergency plan.
Even though it's unpleasant to consider, you must have a plan in place for your dog in the event that something were to happen to you. Make a note of crucial details regarding your dog's daily routine, such as how often and how much they are fed, their medication schedule, the phone number for their veterinarian, etc. Give copies of this to family members and friends who could look after your dog in an emergency. It's also useful to do some research and make sure you know at least one or two nearby neighbours who could assist your dog in an emergency.
8. Play with Intention
Play knowingly with your dog's feet, ears, and mouth when you pet and play with them, especially when they are young. You can desensitise children to being touched in these areas when it's time for nail trimming by doing things like touching their feet, toes, and nails during enjoyable play experiences. It will be much simpler for your veterinarian to examine your dog when they come in for checkups if you look in their ears and mouth and get them used to being handled in this way. As a result, your doctor's job will be easier, your dog will be less anxious during the examination, and your vet will be more likely to notice any irregularities if your dog does have a problem.
maintenance tasks and puppy-proofing
9. Keep your garbage contained.
Make sure your trash is secure since dogs may consume things that are dangerous, harmful, or inedible if they are attracted to the delectable smell of your rubbish. Consuming poisonous or foreign materials could necessitate expensive emergency surgery.
10. Give your canine a secure area.
Create a comfortable space in your home where your dog may feel safe and easily take naps during the day. This space should include your dog's bed or blanket, some toys, and a water bowl. This can enable your dog to calm down on their own in tense circumstances, such as celebrations, infant screaming, or thunderstorms. Keep your dog's crate open and accessible even after they no longer require it for training if they were crate-trained as puppies or when they first joined your home. This may give them the ideal space that they'll love to have.
11. Keep household contaminants locked up
Always keep your household chemicals, including pesticides and cleansers, out of your dog's reach. Many cunning canines can and will find their way into items placed in the garage or beneath the sink. To seal cabinets containing harmful materials, try using baby proof locks.
12. Wash your dog's belongings frequently.
Your dog's blankets, soft toys, and bedding accumulate germs, dirt, pollen, and other contaminants. For the sake of your dog, make sure you wash these items on a weekly basis. This can be especially useful in lowering your dog's exposure to pollen if they have seasonal allergies.
13. Do not feed your dog any human food.
Numerous human foods, including chocolate, avocados, and onions, are poisonous to dogs and can have negative health effects. Keep human food out of the reach of your dog, and take extra care with gum and candies because many of them include xylitol, a sugar substitute that is poisonous to dogs. Unless your physician advises it, avoid purposefully feeding human foods to your dog. Your veterinarian may purposefully offer some human foods, like as plain chicken, canned pumpkin, or plain rice, for conditions like digestive discomfort, diarrhoea, to assist conceal oral medications, or as highly stimulating training treats in moderation. In these situations, "human food" may be suitable for your dog, but they are in no way required to lick your dinner plate clean or consume your leftovers.
PRO HINT: Download the free puppy checklist for a thorough list of everything you need to do to "puppy-proof" your house.
Workout and Brain Stimulation
14. Take your dog for a walk for both their wellbeing and yours.
Your dog will benefit from regular walks in a variety of ways, including reducing boredom, assisting the digestive system, maintaining a healthy weight, and helping them burn off extra energy. By providing them with a positive outlet, you could also notice that undesirable behaviours, including as chewing, barking, or digging, lessen.
15. Combat monotony by including variation.
By including extra walks or outings, you can break up your dog's regular schedule. For a change of scenery, take them to a dog-friendly location or drive-in theatre. To keep them mentally engaged, take them along with you while you run errands and switch up their toys.
16. Mentally tax your dog.
Dogs require a lot of cerebral activity to remain happy and healthy, just like humans do. To keep your dog interested, give them a puzzle toy, teach them new tricks, and play new games with them. When you can't give your dog your full attention, puzzle toys are a great way to give them something entertaining to do.
PRO TIP: While socially isolating your dog, this is very crucial.
17. reducing a heavy eater
Your dog or puppy is more likely to experience stomach problems or upsets that could cause vomiting if they eat their meals rapidly. It's simple to slow down your dog's eating, which is beneficial for their digestive health. A puzzle feeder can be purchased from a pet store or online. An inexpensive and simple alternative is to just place a huge tennis ball in their bowl. Both the ball and the puzzle toy will function in a similar manner, forcing your dog to navigate the inedible barrier in order to consume their meal.
18. Workout together
Take your dogs on an adventure walk, compete in dog races at the park or try dog yoga. Exercise will assist you both while you enjoy time with each other.
Bonding
19. Be your dog's friend.
To thrive, dogs require love and attention. Assure them that they are spending a lot of time indoors with you and your family. Play games with them, pay them attention, and give them treats.
20. Have tolerance for them
When your dog misbehaves or struggles to understand a new training method, it can be difficult, but with a little grace and patience, they'll be more likely to keep trying. Take a break from training if you're getting frustrated, and think about talking to your veterinarian or a local trainer. Dogs can sense our body language quite well, so if you are uptight or furious during training, your dog won't take it well.
21. Visit with them while they are eating
Dogs are pack creatures by nature, and you are a part of their pack. Keep an eye on them while they eat, and continue doing this as a group. When they see you take an interest in their meals, picky eaters may likewise become more interested.
Training
22. When your pet successfully goes outside to relieve themselves, congratulate them.
Potty training can be challenging, especially with breeds of dog that are obstinate. Every time your dog goes outdoors to relieve themselves, praise and encourage them; they'll eagerly repeat this behaviour until it becomes ingrained. Bring goodies outside with you if your dog is learning to use the toilet, and give them as soon as they complete in an area you approve of. Housebreaking will be much simpler if you follow these steps consistently and take your puppy outside often enough (at least every 4-6 hours and after every meal and sip of water).
grabbing a dog's ears
23. Make practising fun.
Change up the prizes, praise, and sweets. They will enjoy training more and you will get better outcomes if they regard it as a game rather than something they have to endure being chastised. Through this method, you might also discover which rewards your dog reacts to the best. Always ignore negative behaviour when training a dog and reinforce good behaviour with goodies, a clicker, pets, and/or vocal praise. They will realise that in order to receive a reward, they must comply with your request.
24. Regular training is essential.
Make a decision regarding your dog's "house rules" and abide by them! Will your family allow your dog to be at the dining table, on the furniture, or in every room of the house? To avoid confusion, keep your dog's training orders and guidelines consistent. To avoid confusing your dog or encouraging poor behaviour, make sure everyone in your household is on the same page and agrees to follow the rules regularly.
25. Correct poor behaviour right away
Dogs have a limited memory, so if you reprimand them for misbehaving five minutes later, they won't remember the reprimand at all. Only reprimand them if you witness them doing it. On the other hand, to encourage the repetition of excellent behaviour, always provide your dog with positive reinforcement and treats right quickly.
Tip for Winter Care
26. moisten the paws of your dog.
Due to the dry air in cold weather, your dog's paws may crack. If your dog's paws appear to be raw or sore after being outside, try applying pad moisturiser products directly to soothe the discomfort
27. Limit their time spent outside.
Dogs can develop frostbite, particularly on their paws, ears, and tails. Even dogs with thick coats shouldn't be left outside in the cold for extended periods of time. Bring your dog inside if you start to feel chilly because they probably feel the same way.
28. Watch out for winter salt and ice.
Both ice and winter salt on pavements can result in cracks or burns on your dog's paw pads. After going outside, wipe your dog's paws off and keep an eye out for attempts to lick or ingest salt from the ground. Consider purchasing a pair of dog booties to protect the delicate skin on your dog's feet if this is consistently making them uncomfortable. You can use pet-safe salt for your home's driveway and walks as well. Pet safe salt is harmless to animals' feet and won't hurt them if they mistakenly ingest any of it.
29. Consider purchasing a jumper for your dog.
Even in the coldest months, many dogs can stay warm outside because to their thick coats, but not all of our puppies have enough fur to withstand the chilly weather. Any dog can develop hypothermia, therefore your dog may benefit from wearing a coat or jumper during the winter, depending on where you live and the breed. Shivering, quick breathing, chilly to the touch ears and feet, increased urine, and hair standing on end are a few early indicators of hypothermia that could benefit from an additional layer of protection for your dog. Many dogs adore wearing winter coats or sweaters because they look adorable and are better protected during winter activities.
Summertime Care Ideas
30. Don't overheat your dog.
Dogs don't perspire like we do. They sweat through their paw pads and rely on panting to expel heat rather than sweating all over like humans do. A fantastic method to enable your dogs to safely enjoy the outdoors in the hot months is to provide them with access to shade and a means of cooling off, such as a kiddie pool filled with water or ice. To avoid heat stroke, stress, and dehydration, keep a watchful eye on them during hot weather and bring them indoors if they are panting heavily. .31. Give them a steady supply of water.
Dogs are extremely vulnerable to dehydration, which can occur quickly. Ensure that your dog has constant access to both indoor and outdoor clean, fresh water throughout the day. Keep an eye out for signs like increased panting, losing interest in eating, or a dry nose. If you detect any of these symptoms, or any other strange behaviour in your dog during heat waves, be sure to contact your veterinarian.
32. Skip the toxic algae
If consumed by dogs, algae can be dangerous and even deadly. It may seem alluring to take your dog to a lake or pond during the sweltering summer months, but you should always check with your local Parks and Recreation department first to see if there are any environmental advisories regarding toxic algae, water treatments or dangerous pesticides in or near the water.
33. Observe their feet
Dogs' paw pads are heat-sensitive and are susceptible to burns when they step on hot surfaces. The ground is too hot for your dog to walk on if you can't safely rest your bare hand or foot on it outside. Choose grass, dirt, or covered paths when walking your dog in these situations.
34. Never leave a dog in a moving vehicle.
The temperature inside a car can rise quickly to a point where it is dangerous or even lethal to your dog. Even with the windows cracked, never leave them unattended in your car since they could easily suffer from heatstroke. Even if it's only 70 degrees outside, your automobile will reach a temperature of over 100 in just 20 minutes. In the summer, cars may reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
Canine Safety
35. Never allow your dog to ride in the truck's back seat.
Every year, over 100,000 dogs pass away while riding in flatbed trucks, either through falling out of the bed or being struck by debris. The numerous other people hurt in various kinds of cars are not taken into consideration by this. If possible, please keep your dog secured inside the vehicle with you. You can safely keep your dog in a box or carrier depending on the size, temperament, or distance of your trip as long as it is fastened securely and cannot move around your car in the event of a sharp turn or collision. As an alternative, you can purchase a seat belt attachment for your dog that fastens to their harness and keeps them safely buckled in the seat. You can always talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about where it is safest for your particular dog to ride in the automobile.
36. Always have an ID tag on your dog.
You don't realise the value of an ID tag until you lose contact with your dog. Make an ID tag with your phone number, the name of your dog, and the veterinarian's contact information. Ensure that this information is maintained current.
37. implant a dog microchip
Accidents do happen, and collars can come undone on pets. If your dog becomes lost but is microchipped, a vet clinic or animal shelter can check all discovered pets for microchips and, if your dog has one, can look up your contact information and get in touch with you. In the worst situation, if your dog is stolen, a microchip will also show ownership of them. They are equally affordable, painless, and simple to administer as vaccinations.
38. When out in public, keep your dog on a leash at all times.
Even the most obedient dog might bolt if it sees another dog, a person, or another animal. To prevent losing your dog or suffering any mishaps or injuries like dog fights, automobile collisions, or other bodily harm, be responsible and keep your dog on a leash in public areas.
39. Before experimenting with new diets or drugs, consult your veterinarian.
If not carried out correctly or in accordance with your veterinarian's instructions, diet or medication modifications can harm your pet's health in a number of ways. The greatest food, supplements, and appropriate medical care are what you want to provide for your pet because you are the one who knows them best. The easiest way to do that is to discuss any modifications you'd like to make with your veterinarian team and the reasons behind them. In this way, your doctor will have the most current, accurate information on the health and way of life of your pet, and can ensure that you have a safe product and plan as well as note the change in your pet's medical records in the event that your dog ever gets sick or hurt.
Take excellent care of your dog.
One of the most crucial aspects of providing your dog with quality care throughout their life, from a puppy to an old dog, is to love and support them. The updated puppy checklist is available as a simple PDF that you may download.
Additionally, I urge you to think about getting pet insurance to protect your finances in the event that your dog suffers an injury or illness. When you have the expertise and means to treat an animal, there is nothing worse than not having the resources. Because there are so many pet insurance alternatives available, check out Pawlicy Advisor's marketplace to compare policies from leading providers and receive individualised advice.
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