For many dog owners, their pet isn’t only a loyal companion – they truly are part of the family! As such, it is vital that they are kept safe, well and happy. Ensure you have registered your dog with a vet, as they will need regular vaccinations, microchipping and your vet will be incredibly important should something be seriously wrong.There are also many ways that you can encourage their physical and emotional wellbeing. Here we have outlined some of the basics to help you care for your dog.
Keep them physically active:
Dogs need to be exercised on a regular basis, this means at least once (but preferably twice) every day of the year. Be prepared to take them out in all weathers. Their need for exercise doesn’t vanish the minute it starts raining, so be prepared to don a raincoat and head out with them, whatever the weather.
If the weather is hot, try and exercise them early morning or late afternoon and avoid the midday sun. Heat exhaustion can make your pet seriously ill, so know the signs to look out for.
In the winter, they can get cold and may need a jacket to avoid hypothermia.
Know your pet – examine them regularly so you can quickly spot if something is not right. Watch our video to see how to do a top to toe examination.
Keep clean:
Ensure they are housetrained as early as possible, as this will make them a much more welcome addition to the household.
Also – always clean up after them when you’re out and about. It is vital that you always have bags with you and that you dispose of them in a designated bin. Not only is it the right thing to do – it’s also the law!
Check their bowel movements as it is another sign if your dog is unwell.
Feed them well:
Work out what food they like and always make sure they have enough to drink so that they don’t get dehydrated (in both summer or in winter). There are lots of human foods (like chocolate, for example) that are poisonous to dogs so make sure you keep potentially lethal items well away from your pet.
Quiet time:
Ensure they have a space to escape to, that is quiet, warm and out of the way.
Regular grooming:
It’s often forgotten, but it’s important to keep them well-groomed and trim their nails too. Overgrown nails can make it difficult for them to walk – and their fur (especially if it’s long) can easily get matted, so make sure they are groomed regularly.
In the summer, their feet can get sore on hot pavements – bathing them can really help. Avoid walking them on hot tarmac in the midday sun.
In the winter, rock salt can cause sores and they need to have their feet bathed if they have been in contact. If they lick their paws following contact with rock salt, this can poison them and make them seriously ill. There are many non food items that are poisonous for your dog too, so know what to look out for.
Alabama rot has been linked with mud – therefore once again it is advised to bathe your dog’s paws on return from muddy walks to reduce the likelihood of contracting this awful disease.
Keep them safe:
Last – and by no means least – book into a practical or online First Aid for Pets course. This will not only help you know what to do should an accident occur, but it will also help you know how to avoid injuries happening in the first place. Even if you just learn some basic dog first aid from our website and videos, it’ll stand you in great stead for knowing what to do to help in an emergency situation. If you know how to save a choking dog, stem a bleed or perform CPR, it could be a life saver! Click here to book a course today.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.