Dog Care: What You Need to Know

Owning a dog comes with certain responsibilities that can’t be neglected. Here, we will cover all the most important and non-negotiable parts of dog caretaking. These non-negotiable parts of primary pet care include their diet, living environment, physical needs, and grooming/hygiene needs. Dogs can be some of the easiest pets to take care of if you prepare properly before bringing home your new pup.

Diet Needs

When determining where to begin with your new dog’s diet, begin with looking into food according to your dog’s age. Younger dogs require a higher protein and higher nutrient-filled diet as they continue to grow rapidly. Young pups are also far more active than older dogs, so they need a higher calorie and protein intake to keep up with their exertion. Vets will generally advise you that a puppy should be fed four times per day to keep up with their nutritional needs. 

Most pet stores aim to provide affordable pet care supplies, including high-quality pet food for dogs of all ages. There is also the option of cooking your own dog food using the same ingredients you might to make your own food.

Here are some of our healthy homemade dog food recipes:

When you make the choice to make your own dog food, be sure to consult your dog’s vet about what ingredients might be best for your best bud. 

Living Space

Dogs need far more living space than pet cats would, so keep this in mind when preparing to bring home a pet dog. Your dog will want to spend most of their waking hours by your side, whether you’re inside or outside of the house. 

If your house is considerably small on the inside, having a decent-sized yard that is enclosed with a fence is a plus. Your dog will love to be able to run around and play in your yard. Something that they will also love on the inside of the house is having a space that they can call their own. 

If you are crate training your pup, often a dog will consider their crate to be “their safe place”. If crates are the way you choose to go, however, having a special bed or blanket would make your dog feel special and happy. 

Grooming Needs

All breeds of dogs have grooming and hygiene needs that need to be met by their owner. Some dogs will have a big, fluffy fur coat that is constantly shedding or even potentially becoming matted and needs frequent attention. While other breeds may have a short, fine coat of fur that needs weekly brushing just to get rid of any loose hairs. 

Part of dog grooming and hygiene needs include keeping your dog safe from ticks and fleas, or any other environmental dangers. After your dog has been outside in heavily wooded areas, it's good practice to check them for ticks, even if you’ve treated them with flea and tick medicine that your vet recommended. Not only does this keep your dog safe, but also you and your family. 

Training and Obedience

Obedience training should begin while your dog is still a puppy. The first and most important step in training should be house-training. Just like with young children, learning where to do your business is a priority in teaching. Consistency is key with anything new that you want your dog to learn. Such as consistently giving a specific treat or praise after your dog has done a task correctly. Sticking with consistent rules will help your dog learn to be obedient and feel safe and happy in your home where they know what to expect from you for certain behaviors they perform. 

Playtime 

Play is a crucial part of puppyhood and should not be overly restricted. Playtime can be the perfect opportunity for you and your dog to interact and build a bond with each other. Playtime is when your dog learns about the environment around them in addition to getting much needed physical exercise. There’s also the option of taking your dog to obedience training classes where they get to learn and play while interacting with other people and dogs.

Early socialization should be a crucial part of your playtime or exercise routine with your dog if you’ve adopted a puppy. If you adopt an adult or even senior dog, some play and socialization is important, but not as crucial as it is when they are still young. Keeping a few age-appropriate toys at home to interact with is always fun for both your dog and you when you are home together. 

Conclusion

Taking care of a dog is no easy feat but can be made easier with the right preparation. Such as knowing what kind of food you should be giving to them, and how frequently they should be fed. Since a healthy diet has a significant impact on their overall health. A dog’s living environment and the amount of time they are given to play and learn is also just as important. At the end of the day, caring for your dog and making sure they have a happy and healthy life with you is worth any work that you will need to put into making it happen. 

Can dogs get car sick?

Yes, dogs can definitely get car sick. Dogs are well known for their love of going for rides in a car, but motion sickness is a common problem in puppies. Although, puppies who experience motion sickness generally will outgrow this problem by the time they are one year old or so.

How do you care for a dog?

Caring for a dog involves ensuring that they receive an adequate diet and plenty of fresh water. Grooming and regular vet visits are also a large part of dog care. Grooming needs depend on the breed of dog that you decide to adopt, some need more frequent brushing and washing than other breeds.

What do you need to take care of a dog?

To take care of a dog, there are several important supplies that any dog owner should have. These important supplies include dog bowls for food and water, a collar with name tags, a leash or harness, a brush, and some toys for them to play with.

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Written by Leo Roux

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