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Do you have a new canine addition to your family? If you have never owned a puppy before, you might be in for a surprise when it comes to caring for a young dog. We’re going to talk about a few of the most important aspects of dog rearing that we hope you will find useful.
Our first topic of importance is that of protecting your pup from disease. Can you remember going to the doctor for booster shots? Dogs have to go through the same thing to remain healthy. There are three separate injections given to a dog that make up a set of “core” vaccinations. The first of these is usually given when the pup is six weeks of age or older, but almost never younger than this. The next two shots are usually administered three weeks apart with a follow-up checkup to ensure that puppy is handling the vaccinations well. Vaccinations serve as a way to arm your puppy’s immune system against very serious viral disease and should be administered as soon as your puppy is old enough to handle them.
Another important part of owning a puppy is to pay attention to his hygiene. While dogs may not seem like the most complex pet, they do require basic bodily care. The amount of time and effort put forth to grooming your dog will largely depend upon the breed that you have. Some breeds have longer coats that need frequent brushing and trimming, others have long ears that must be cleaned periodically. All dogs should be bathed once in a while and attention to dental care would not go amiss. You can purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs, and all you have to do is brush in a circular motion, followed by a vertical motion—just like we brush our own teeth. Do this about three times a week and allow your dog a nice chew toy or bone once in a while and he is sure to have strong, healthy teeth.
Finally, we’re going to talk to you about one of the most important aspects of raising a dog, which is food. The food that you give to your dog ultimately determines what type of health your dog will be in. Many store-bought dog foods fail to provide the high quality ingredients that they claim. Some, in fact, are largely constituted of non-nutritious grains and meat-by products (think: pets that have been put down or even road kill!) that have been cooked at high temperatures or pressurized into bite-sized kibble. The key to choosing the right dog food for your pup is to understand what a healthy canine diet should consist of and learn how to read dog food labels for the correct ingredients. There are five main things that a dog’s diet should include, which are: Protein (majority of any canine diet), Carbs, Fats (both saturated and polyunsaturated), Minerals, and Vitamins. Any dog food that does not contain all of these ingredients is not providing your dog with adequate nutrition. You can read the Confidential Dog Food Report to learn about the best and worst brands of dog food as well as how to determine whether a dog food is worthy of your pup.
You can learn more about doggy hygiene, diet, and health by visiting the Dog Food for Life website.
