Looking After Pets

Dealing with a new dog is actually a significant commitment so there are a variety of things to think about if determining whether a dog or puppy is definitely the correct furry friend for you.

Pet dogs are expensive to keep. Don’t underestimate the expense of any new addition to the home. In addition to the upfront price of the dog it is advisable to think the cost of foodstuff, a bed, toys and games, boarding homes and vet fees for standard examinations and unpredicted incidents. Take time to work out all potential expenses and make sure are able to afford your new domestic animal.

Pet dogs demand your time, love and attention. You’ll also need to make sure that you will provide your dog lots of time, care and exercise he or she requires to be able to have a happy and contented existence. This tends to be different by particular breed of dog, and so do some research, consult several other pet owners and phone dog breeders to ensure that any dog you choose fits in with your way of life.

Most dogs require loads of products. On a basic level you should have the following for your pet dog;

Collar, i . d tag

Eating and drinking dishes
The dog will certainly demand a top quality dog food on a regular routine, combined with a fresh new supply of clean drinking water.

A pet bed, with sufficient space for your animal to stretch in to snooze and get to sleep, and also plenty of easy to clean sheets

Unwanted and old bathroom towels (to dry wet and mucky pups)

Emergency first aid kit

Proper grooming gear (requirements vary by breed of dog)

Pet toys

Dog Food

Your dog might want to adjust. When you are getting your new pet remember that that your home is a completely new surrounding for him or her, therefore provide him time and space to find his feet in and truly feel safe and sound.

If you have a very good decent idea of just what exactly adopting a dog or puppy requires and you will provide him the love and devotion he / she calls for then you will raise a joyful and active four legged friend and loyal companion.

The summer months are perhaps the best months for both dog and owner.Long warm days give way to mild evenings with long daylight hours, making the perfect conditions for walking.For dog owners across the country there can be little better than a quick early morning walk with their pooch.A good walk is great for your health, and your dog will also benefit from the exercise and fresh air. But don’t forget that with summer comes new, unwelcome dangers to your dog.

BBQs

A BBQ is often the highlight of the summer. It is common that when you are outside cooking your dog will be enjoying the garden with you.But did you realise that having your dog around a BBQ can be very dangerous.The worst case scenario is that the dog does not even realise the barbeque is hot until it is too late. If your dog is lively and excitable it could easily crash into the BBQ, or trip you up. Plus, human food cooked on a BBQ is not actually very healthy for a dog.You might think is ok to feed your dog a sausage, burger or pork chop but these meats are really not good for him, no matter how much he loves the taste.Greasy human food offers your dog no nutritional or health benefits and your dog will always ask for more.Instead of unsuitable human food just offer him a big bowl of his favourite dog food. Plus, your dog could end up choking on small bones if you offer it chicken wings or drumsticks.

A plentiful supply of fresh water

Remember that water is one of the core components of any animals diet and dogs are no different.As the months get warmer it becomes even more important.Make sure that you offer a bowl full of clean, fresh water with every bowl of food and when you are out and about take a bottle of water and a bowl with you.He will benefit from regular drinks and will certainly be thankful that you are quenching his thirst!

The dangers of keeping a Dog locked in a Hot Car

Do not be tempted to leave your dog in a locked car for more than a few minutes, especially during summer.The inside of the car can rapidly overheat, causing dehydration and even death.If you have to take your dog out with you in the car make sure you take his lead with you so he can leave the car when you do. Failing that, leave him at home!

Pet Friendly Sun Tan Lotion

Like us, dogs can be negatively affected by the sun.You can now but dog friendly sun tan lotion that is formulated to protect against sunburn. Pay close attention to those areas with little fur coverage, such as the nose and ears.

As a nation of dog lovers we all want what's best for our pet, but how much do we truly understand about our four legged friend's nutritional requirements?

One of the most important elements of dog food is protein. A healthy, mature dog needs around 18% protein in its daily diet and this level increases for puppies and reproducing dogs.Five percent of each meal should be made up from fat and oils.It is important to balance protein and fats to ensure you don't over feed one or the other.Be really careful not to give your dog too much fat in its diet. Just like in a human, fat will cause your dog to gain weight and whilst it consumes excessive fat it will miss out on other vital nutrients.

Commercial dog food is a popular option for many dog owners and it gives you control over what you are feeding to your dog. Always read the label as quality can vary. When possible but a premium food from a trusted brand. If you mix commercial dog food with homemade food remember to keep your eye on the fat levels.But whether you're feeding your dog commercial dog food, or home made dog food, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don't end up with a fussy dog…

1. Feed your dog two full meals each day. If you feed too little, too often your dog will not understand what it is like to feel full and this can cause over eating and bad behaviour.

2. Feeding time is a time to allow your dog some space. Once he is eating you should leave him. Dont fuss over him or stand watching him as this may make him nervous or agitated.2. Your dog should be given some space when eating, so don't let the kids crowd him or pet him during meals times – it is too distracting and can be distressing for the animal.

3. Don't give into your dog and give him something else straight away if he refuses his meal, as he's effectively training you and not the other way around!

4. Try and vary the diet as much as possible but avoid changing the food simply because your dog refuses to eat it.Make sure nothing is wrong with him physically first, then if he is healthy, take charge of the situation.
If it simply is a matter of the dog being fussy simply give him 30 minutes to see if he eats the food. If he doesn't you should throw it away and offer nothing else.Later on in the day supply a fresh bowl of food. Again, give your dog 30 minutes in which to eat the meal.This will train the dog to eat his meals and he will understand that if he refuses food he will not be rewarded with something else.

5. If your dog suddenly goes off his food, it could be because he has dental problems, or a stomach problem. Get him checked out by the vet.

Dogs will naturally develop a preference to a certain food.Regular refusal of a certain food probably means he doesn't like it. In this instance you should perhaps stop trying to feed him this certain food and give him what he will eat.

7. It is not kind to give your pet human junk food, no matter how much he begs. Avoid this at all costs.

Most people believe that feeding their dog is the easiest part of owning it. However, this is not necessarily true.You need to pay close attention to both the quality of food you provide and the quantities provided.Many of us make our buying decision based on price, but if you are trying to find the best dog food for your pet you should also pay close attention to the ingredients within the food.Choosing the appropriate dog food can enhance your canine’s skin, eyes, teeth, energy, and overall health.
It is easy to discover the ingredients used in your dog’s food – simply read the packaging. Manufacturers have to show you the ingredients by law.
It is widely acknowledged that dog’s are not vegetarian and they prefer to eat meat in their diet.Therefore, the first ingredient in an adequate bag of dog food should be a form of meat. This meat needs to be lamb, beef, chicken, or liver.At the bottom end of the price scale many cheap dog food products will only contain meat by-products. These should be avoided as they offer little nutritional value.Dog food containing soya should also be avoided as research shows that an increasing number of dogs are allergic or intolerant to it.
Many pet owners look to their dog’s food to enhance a particular characteristic of the canine.For example, you can now buy dog food that has been formulated to help clean the animal’s teeth whilst she is chewing.
Omega 6 and 3 oils are becoming an increasing element of any good quality pet food and are vital if you want your dog to have health skin and a glossy coat, so look for food containing such oil.
If your dog is very active then you should look for foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates, as these will help to keep energy levels high.A less active dog should be provided with fewer calories and this becomes even more important as the dog gets older.
When buying canned food for your dog, be careful about avoiding foods that list water as a main ingredient.You will find that many of the cheaper dog food products sold in a can contain water as the main ingredient and this is due to cutting costs.If you feed your dog a diet of good quality wet food you should combine this with a daily dry chewy product, such as a bone. This helps to exercise your dog’s jaw and can help keep teeth clean.
Giving your pet a high quality food with maximum nutritional value is an excellent way to add energy in your dog’s life and enhance the appearance of his coat, eyes, teeth, and physique.The ticket price of premium dog foods is generally higher but portion sizes are usually smaller, so the cost per bowl will often work out the same as a cheap supermarket type feed.