Important Tips on Caring for Your Dog at Home

terrier-487964_1280Having a dog is a responsibility, as dogs need certain care in order to be healthy and happy. It’s not enough to simply put some food and water in a bowl and occasionally let your dog out to relieve itself, as dogs also need emotional care and specific care for their physical wellbeing.

If you or your family keep a dog at home, consider some important tips on caring for it. This will ensure your dog is not only healthy but also happy.

Recognize that dogs are social creatures.

Dogs travel in packs because they are social creatures who need to be around other animals of some sort. It’s not healthy for dogs to be on their own for long periods of time. If you must go to work every day, consider looking into a type of doggie daycare or kennel service where your dog can be around other animals and people instead.

It’s also good to think about getting more than one dog if you need to leave the home often. When you have two dogs together they can keep each other company and both will be more emotionally content.

Invest in a good dog bed.

Never should a dog be forced to sleep on a kitchen floor or even on a carpeted floor. In the wild, dogs will find softer ground and even clumps of leaves and other materials on which to sleep, and a cold hard floor is not a good place for any dog! Being right on the floor can also mean being in a draft that can irritate your dog’s sinuses just as it might do to humans.

A dog bed doesn’t need to be expensive but it should be comfortable for a dog and appropriate for its size. If you live in a colder climate, invest in one made of a warmer material such as wool or fleece. Put the dog bed away from cold drafts and ensure that the dog responds to it so you know it’s comfortable.

Read food ingredient labels.

When you buy dog food, price alone shouldn’t determine the best brand to buy. As with your own food, you want quality choices that are high in nutritional value. The ingredients that are listed first on a nutritional label are the most prominent in that food. For your dog, you want to look for protein including chicken or beef or another meat along with cheese or eggs, and then that should be followed by grains such as rice or meal.

Avoid foods that have grains listed first or ones that have protein sources listed near the bottom. This will be what’s called a filler food, or one that has little nutritional value for your dog. Your pet’s health may suffer and it may also have more digestive issues including gas and loose stools.

Invest in moist food.

Your dog needs dry food to fill up but moist, canned food will be high in protein and will also help to moisturize your dog’s coat and skin. Experts say that wet, canned dog food is better for your furry friend’s overall health. Feed your dog moist food at least once per day; you can mix it with dry kibble and you’ll see that your dog probably loves the taste even more and will also be healthier overall.

 

Keep these tips in mind when caring for your family pet. It isn’t always difficult to take care of your dog but you do need to remember what is needed for it to be healthy and happy. These tips, along with regular trips to the vet, will ensure your dog is cared for properly.