Top 5 Dog Care Tips

Having a dog entails big responsibility. Aside from that, caring for one is also about love and compassion. Whatever you give your dog, it will surely give back a hundred-fold. After all, dogs are not called man’s best friend for nothing.

Here are five dog care tips that will keep your dog healthy and happy, and that will ensure your own happiness and peace of mind as a dog owner.

1. Dog Grooming. A dog’s shiny coat is more than just beauty; it is indicative that your pet is healthy and well-groomed. Bathe your dogs regularly to make sure its coat or hair stays clean. However, it is not advisable to give your dog a bath on a very frequent basis as this would dry out its skin and coat and may result in skin infections. Long-time pet owners recommend bathing your canine friend once a month, and rubbing damp towels or washing its paws in between.  Regardless of your dog’s hair type, brush it daily. Most dogs actually enjoy this, and this is a perfect bonding activity for the two of you. Frequent brushing can help prevent hair build-up and excess shedding. Dogs that are typically hairy or have continuously growing hair would also need a regular haircut or trim. Your dog will also need regular nail trimming, but do it correctly and without inflicting any pain.  Make sure to clean your dog’s ears properly as well, as dirty ears can be a haven for yeast and bacteria.
2. Immunization and Physical Check-Up. Take your dog to its doctor regularly for proper physical examination – ideally every 2-3 months. However, checking the pad of your pet’s feet for any injuries and examining his ears, mouth and teeth, are things you can do by yourself every now and then. You also need to get your dog vaccinated against rabies and other diseases. Remember that it is important to ensure the health of your dog as well as of those who come in contact with it.
3. Balanced Diet and Exercise. Just like human beings, dogs need a nutritionally balanced diet and constant access to clean, fresh water in order to stay healthy and active. It is best to consult a veterinary doctor regarding the proper diet for your dog.  Moreover, if you want your canine friend to remain fit and healthy, make sure it gets the proper amount of exercise. Take it for a walk twice a day or let it run around the yard and play fetch. Keeping your dog physically busy will help keep any behavioral problem at bay. However, don’t forget that the level or degree of exercise that your dog needs depends greatly on its breed and its age.
4. Proper Shelter. Provide proper shelter for your dog in the form of a dog house or a cage. Most dogs, however, crave and need companionship and hate being alone for long periods. Therefore, try to spend as much time with your dog as possible and take it to the dog house only at nights. If you don’t have outdoor space for a cage or dog house, you can put up a comfortable dog bed indoors where your furry friend can sleep during the night and take little naps during the day.
5. Safety. Put a collar and leash on your dog to make sure it doesn’t run off during walks and doesn’t get hit by any running vehicle, as well as to keep it from attacking and biting anyone. A leash is also very necessary in training your dog. Make sure to attach an ID to the collar, where you indicate your dog’s name, as well as your name, address, and contact number. This will be very helpful when your dog gets lost.

Humans and dogs have been “best friends” for a long time. While dogs give us unconditional love and unmatched loyalty, we, as owners, must in turn be responsible for their proper care. Our dogs rely on us for shelter, food and water, safety, health care, and exercise in exchange for companionship and a lot of other rewards that naturally come with taking special care of a pet.