Having a pet at home is taking on a world of responsibilities. In caring for dogs, dog owners may have doubts about the care, feeding, medical attention, and exercise that must be taken.
To clear these doubts, this article provides answers to eleven questions every dog owners ask for the care of their dogs.
Why is my dog feeding on grass?
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It is not uncommon to see a dog behaving like a small cow, standing in a pasture and eating grass. This could be due to a disease called “pizza.” Pizza is a disease that forces its host to eat things that are not food or are not their primary food, such as earth, toys, or grass. Humans and animals can be infected with this disease.
Dogs can also eat grass to induce vomiting (it is believed that long, unchewed hairs of grass stimulate dogs’ throats and make them vomit). They vomit because their stomach is irritated. They eat grass to improve their digestion, treat intestinal worms, or fulfill some unmet nutritional need.
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When should I vaccinate my dog?
It’s advisable to vaccinate your puppy for the first time at the age of 6 weeks. The procedure is repeated after three weeks when your puppy is nine weeks old. The final vaccination should be at 12-13 weeks of age. In total, therefore, the puppy should be vaccinated three times at intervals of three weeks.
Vaccination of a mature dog should be once a year. Unfortunately, there is still a widespread belief that it is sufficient to vaccinate dogs only against infectious diseases when they are still young. This should not be because adult dogs equally suffer from all of these diseases.
Should I brush my dog’s teeth?
Yes. You should brush your dog’s teeth. Brushing your dog’s teeth keeps your dog’s teeth healthy. Brushing removes bacteria firmly tucked under the gums, lying between the teeth and covering the tongue of your dog. Therefore, it’s an unavoidable part if you want your dog to have healthy teeth.
How often should I bath for my dog?
Bathing your dog will be one thing you will need to do often as a dog owner. Many new dog owners are not too versed in how often they should bathe their dogs. How often you should wash your dog depends on your dog’s breed and lifestyle. It’s commonly advised, however, that you bath your dog every 4 to 6 weeks.
How can I stop my dog from digging holes in the garden?
Dog owners commonly ask this question. When your dog digs holes in the ground often, it’s most likely due to too much accumulated energy. Therefore, take your dog out for long walks, and it will come home more tired.
Another reason your dog digs a hole may be due to boredom. Therefore, you can engage your dog more to ensure it doesn’t get boring.
How do I teach my dog what I want him to do?
Learning to train your dog is important for communication between you and your dog. Also, it will allow you to share many more experiences with your dog. It is essential to know that teaching your dog what you want it to do is achieved with much patience.
This also is done with fun because when your dog has fun learning, it will be easy for it to remember more without feeling stressed. It is also advisable to start with small tricks and reward your dog when it does things right.
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Why does my dog eat his feces?
It is common for puppies to eat their droppings. However, you need to pay attention to why they do it. Some do it out of boredom or loneliness; if they spend most of the time alone, they play with everything they see around them.
They also do it due to nutritional deficiencies or out of curiosity because they perceive an appetizing smell. Even some females, when they give birth to their puppies, they eat their feces to keep the area where their children are clean.
Can I take a puppy on the street?
What puppy owners should do before taking their puppies out is ensuring their puppies are properly protected against the most common infectious diseases at that stage. Remember that their immune system is developing; it is, therefore, essential that before you take your puppy out, you should have engaged your puppy in the most suitable vaccine program.
Is sterilization a good idea for my dog?
If you have decided that your dog will not be a breeder, you must sterilize it. Sterilization is a severe surgical act, with which serious diseases like mammary tumors, uterine infections, or stress due to psychological pregnancy in females can be avoided; testicular tumors, prostate, or serious behavioral disorders in the case of a male dog.
I want to make a diet at home for my dog. What should I consider?
A balanced diet made at home should always include these three fundamental components: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Seek advice from a veterinary nutrition expert to formulate the most appropriate diet for your animal.
When starting a homemade diet, it is always a good idea to add a vitamin supplement to fill in any additional gaps in the diet. Work together with your trusted veterinarian, who can help you control your dog’s weight and general health.
How much amount of feed per day should my dog eat?
Just as the amounts of food vary among humans, it is the same with dogs. Most dry or wet dog foods have a feeding guide on the food package, which helps determine the most appropriate amount. However, these guides are for the starting point only. As time passes, it is essential to control your dog’s weight and physical condition at your regular veterinary clinic.
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Conclusion
It is pertinent to conclude that in the event of any change in behavior or extreme situation, it is most appropriate to see the vet immediately. Caring for a dog is a responsibility; therefore, every dog owner should treat it as such.