Whether
you are a new
pet parent or an experienced one, taking good
care of your pet baby is a big responsibility. However, in the hustle-bustle of
life, often essential caring activities get neglected. It can affect their
physical and mental wellbeing.
Have you ever noticed these subtle
changes in your dog's behavior?
●
Withdrawn
attitude
●
Inactiveness
or lethargy
●
Depressed
behavior
●
Hiding or
walking away from you
●
Your
favorite pair of shoes or socks torn apart
●
Reduced
appetite
These
are some of the signs that indicate your pet baby is feeling neglected.
Don't worry; we got your back!
We
have carefully listed an ultimate pet parent guide to help you with your dog
care responsibilities.
Here
are Some Dog Care Tips to Help You Be a Better Pet Parent
Dog
Health
●
Get a complete health checkup of your dog once a
year. It helps you to stay
informed about various health risks for your pet baby.
●
Follow the dietary instructions given by the vet
to keep your dog healthy.
Overfeeding can cause obesity and other health ailments like cardiovascular
disease, joint diseases, lower immune system, etc.
●
Touch your dog's nose regularly. If it's moist on touch, your dog is healthy. But if you notice a thicker mucous or crustiness around
the nostrils, consult your vet immediately.
●
Get pet insurance as
therapies and treatment for dogs can be taxing on your pocket. So, get pet
insurance that covers unexpected costs, prescription medications, long-term
health conditions, and more.
●
Brush your dog's teeth regularly. Dogs are always at risk of gum diseases and teeth
problems. Use a toothpaste made specifically for dogs and brush their teeth
regularly.
●
Prepare a 'First-Aid Kit' before taking your dog camping or hiking. As a
responsible pet parent, you must include items in it like
·
Ice Packs
·
Cotton Swabs
·
Absorbent
Gauze Pads
·
Tweezers
·
Oral
Syringes
·
Disposable
Gloves
·
Otc
Antibiotic Ointments
·
Alcohol
Wipes
·
Artificial
Tear Gel
·
Towels
·
Styptic
Powder
·
Pair Of
Scissors
·
Bathing
Detergent
·
Fresh 3%
Hydrogen Peroxide To Induce Vomiting
·
And
Veterinarian Emergency Clinic Information
●
Have an emergency plan for your dog care. Please make a list of all valuable information about your
dog's lifestyle, health, food habits, and routines, along with vet contact
details, and give it to at least two people close to you.
●
Play with a purpose in mind. While playing with your dog, rub their feet, paws, and nails to
desensitize them from being touched in these areas. It helps you when you have
to trim their nails later. Also, look into their mouth and ears while playing.
It makes routine exams by the vet less stressful for them.
Housekeeping
and Puppy-Proofing
●
Keep your trash bins covered and out of reach of your dog. Dogs find the smell of trash delicious,
but it's toxic for them.
●
Do puppy-proofing to protect your dog from any accidents: cover electrical sockets and sharp edges,
bolt toilet seats and refrigerators. Also, keep your shoes, household chemicals,
and pesticides locked away.
●
Rinse toys and bedding's in regular intervals. Germs, dirt, pollen, etc., can cause seasonal allergies
in your dog. So wash their belongings weekly with a pet-friendly detergent.
Also, keep your dog clean and wash its dirty collar or leash using a dog
shampoo.
●
Avoid giving human food or table scraps to your dog. Human food items like chocolate, onion, garlic,
citrus food, sugar-like substances, etc., are all toxic for your pet.
Additionally, avoid giving table scraps as it is unhealthy for them.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
●
Take your dog on regular walks at least twice a day.
●
Switch your dog toys routinely and give food
puzzles to stimulate their
mental health.
●
Make exercising fun for your dog by
doing things together. You can climb stairs with your dogs, take them for a
run, or on an adventurous hike with you.
Bonding
●
Spend quality time with your dog and play games with it. Give them treats, love,
and attention to help them thrive.
●
Be patient with your dog if you are teaching some new tricks, doing potty
training, etc. Your dog can act out sometimes but don't feel frustrated with
it. Take a break and focus on their body language to understand them better.
●
Hang out with your dog when they eat. Dogs are pack animals by nature and consider you
part of their pack. But don't disturb or interrupt them eating.
Training
●
Avoid scolding or shouting at your dog when they do their business in the wrong places.
Training can be difficult for dogs, especially potty training.
●
Make training a game for your dog and use treats, rewards, and praise to reinforce
positive behavior.
●
Decide the house rules for your dog in advance and stick to them.
●
Use one word or shorter command sentence to make it easy for your dog to follow.
Winter
Care
●
Limit your dog's time outside in chilly/icy
weather. Winters can be harsh for them as they get frostbite in their paws,
ears, and tails.
●
Get a pair of dog boots to protect their paws from ice and winter salt. Use non-toxic pet-safe
salt for your drive and walkways as it can cause cracks or burns to your dog's
feet.
●
Moisturize their paws with pad moisturizer products to protect them from
getting cracked and painful in cold weather.
●
Get a thick coat or dog sweater to protect your pet baby from hyperthermia.
Summer
Care
●
Keep a source of easy-to-access clean freshwater throughout
the day, both indoors and outdoors, for your pet. Dogs can get dehydrated
in the summer heat.
●
Provide your dog shade and kiddie pool with water or ice in the summers to help your
dog enjoy safely outside.
●
Protect their paws from heat burns on hot surfaces. Instead, take them on walks to
mud paths or grass-yards.
●
Never leave your dog in the car unsupervised. It can cause heatstroke to them.
Dog
Safety
●
Get your dog registered and microchipped. It can help a veterinary hospital or animal shelter
scan all information from it if you lose it accidentally.
●
Make your dog wear a dog tag on its collar. It's like a dog ID containing information like
your phone number, dog's name, and vet's phone number.
●
Keep your dog on a leash in public places. It protects them from any accidents or injuries
such as dog fights, vehicle impacts, etc.
● Always consult your veterinarian before changing
the diet of your dog or trying
new medications. Also, maintain up-to-date medical records of your dog.
Conclusion
Your
pet baby is your family member; give the love, attention, and support it needs
to stay happy and healthy. Use the tips to take excellent care of it. If you
want any further information, send your questions through the comment section
below.
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