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How to care for a dog

Getting a dog as a pet, it is important to understand that this is not only a friend, comrade, companion with whom you can play, talk, pour out your soul, but also an animal that requires constant care and proper care. His health, disposition, longevity and many other factors depend on how the owner will take care of his beloved pet. How to care for a dog? According to veterinarians, this is an elementary observance of all hygienic norms and rules, maintaining the right diet, regular dog walking and timely monitoring by a veterinarian.

Content

Hair care

Dog Care

There are several types of wool and a special approach is required for each pet:

  1. Dogs with long hair . If the Afghan hounds , spaniels, Scottish shepherd dogs and other long-haired breeds look like dogs from the covers of glossy magazines, this does not mean that it is only a matter of having a long and silky coat. The beauty of the coat is the result of daily painstaking combing . For these purposes, a wooden comb with rare teeth is perfect. In order for the dog to have a neat appearance, you need to trim the excess hair near the anus, between the paws and in the area of ​​the superciliary arches.
  2. Smooth breed . Do not think that if you have a Dalmatian , a Staffordshire terrier or a boxer , then their coat does not require any care. Even such, it seems almost bare, breeds are prone to seasonal molting , which means that you need to help them get rid of already old wool. A rubber brush, or a brush similar to the one designed for cleaning clothes, is perfect for combing. Suede cloth will help to give a gloss, which after combing must be carried out along the hair in the direction of hair growth.
  3. Dogs with stiff hair . This type of coat is most often found in dogs from the family of terriers and schnauzers. It requires regular phased care:
  • Combing - you will need two brushes, one with metal teeth, the other with bristles.
  • Haircut - use a clipper and scissors with rounded ends.
  • Trimming - plucking bristles that have died.
  1. Dogs with medium hair . German, East European Shepherd Dogs, Alabai and Caucasians have medium-long hair. This is the easiest care option, although it requires regular combing. You will need a regular brush for combing and a "stain" to remove the undercoat during molting.
  2. Curly Pets . Poodles and some varieties of terriers have an undeniable advantage - they are not susceptible to molting. However, the coat still needs care. It is necessary to comb out often, otherwise the formed tussles will have to be cut. Dogs with this type of coat must be trimmed according to breed standards.
  3. Exotic wool . If you are lucky to be the owner of a pet with rope wool, sometimes or completely absent, then in this case you will need to consult a breeder. Only a professional can give accurate recommendations.

Read more about what to do if a dog has hair loss .

Washing dogs

Dog Hair Care

Bathing is again directly dependent on the quality of the coat.

Dogs with stall-prone hair . These dogs require frequent bathing. Ideally, once every 7 days, once every 14 days is considered acceptable. During exhibitions, long-haired pets are bathed regularly before events. It is necessary to bathe such dogs completely, not limited to paws only.

Hard or medium hardness . Pets with hard or medium hardness are bathed once a month and this is enough. In order for a representative of a breed with a smooth back and rather hairy face to look neat, it is necessary to use special balms and conditioners after washing.

Sometimes, so that the wool is not excessively fluffy and does not puff, dry cleaning is used before exhibitions, which is carried out using a piece of fabric with a velvet surface and a brush. A rag will remove dirt and excess sebum, and a brush will remove dead hair and dandruff . The same method is effective for caring for dogs with medium hair - German shepherds, huskies , alabai, etc.

Smooth-haired dogs . Smooth-haired pets (dogs, dachshunds, Dobermans , etc.) do not require frequent washing, it is enough once or twice every three months. It will also be useful to periodically dry clean.

Read more about how to wash your dog .

Dog walking

How to walk a dog

All four-legged pets love to walk. They are attracted by new flavors, the ability to communicate with their own kind, a diverse environment.

But it is always worth remembering that the dog’s behavior is changing under the new conditions. If at home a dog is a kindly complaisant creature, then on the street a “spirit of freedom” often infuses him. Therefore, it is recommended to walk the animal on a leash, especially for large representatives, and dogs of fighting breeds in a muzzle. In addition, the leash will protect the dog from dangers - moving cars, open wells, dog weddings.

[tip] It is enough to breed a dog twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. The exception is puppies and elderly pets, here you need to look at the situation. Also, three times a day, you can display pets of small breeds. [/ Tip]

In the warmer months, a minimum walk should last from 20 minutes to half an hour, but longer walks are also welcome. In the cold season, the stay of the dog on the street (especially smooth-haired) can be reduced to 15 minutes. You can’t bring a pet that has just eaten, you should wait a few hours. They do not recommend walking the dog in the playgrounds, the territory of children's institutions.

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Inspections at the veterinarian

Examination of a dog by a veterinarian

After all necessary vaccines have been delivered to the puppy, a visit to the veterinary clinic becomes annual and as necessary. Prevention can also be confined to the booster period.

An elderly animal requires more thorough care and care, and examinations should be more frequent - once every 3 to 6 months.

Routine inspections include the following processes:

  • The introduction of vaccine preparations (read more about vaccination of dogs ).
  • Examination of the condition of the teeth.
  • Treatments against various parasites (intestinal, external, ear, etc.).
  • Nutrition adjustment (the veterinarian gives advice based on the health status of the pet).
  • Weighing (helps detect signs of obesity).
  • General tests of urine and blood are especially important for sick or weakened pets.

Of course, it may seem to many that such events are a waste of money, however, early detection of pathologies helps not only to avoid a long, expensive treatment, but also often saves a pet's life.

Proper nutrition

Proper dog nutrition

From what to feed the dog depends on its health and life expectancy . If the owner opts for ready-made feeds (dry or wet), it is important to select high-quality products, preferably of the Hollistics class. These feeds contain all useful micro- and macrocells, the daily norm of vitamins , in a sufficient amount of meat product, vegetables, herbs. Each package contains detailed instructions for use and composition.

But what if we are talking about conventional foods? Studies have shown that a healthy animal should receive 2/3 of meat products and 1/3 of vegetable. But you can give not only meat, but also all kinds of offal:

  • a heart;
  • kidneys
  • lung, etc.

Among the types of meat, everything except pork is suitable - beef, lamb, poultry, game, etc. Dogs can be given various trimmings, but without fat. Fish can also be included in the diet, but exclusively marine and boneless.

Among plant components, the following products should be preferred:

  • oats, millet, buckwheat, bran, barley;
  • all vegetables except legumes and potatoes;
  • fruits other than grapes.

Bones can be included in the diet, but only large boiled and in small quantities.

When cooking, you should adhere to certain rules:

  • Meat and offal require mandatory heat treatment.
  • It is necessary to cut them into small pieces, or grind in a meat grinder.
  • The broth obtained during cooking is also given to the pet.
  • Cereals - oats, barley, etc. must be soaked in cold water before cooking.
  • It is better to give vegetables raw, grated first, or finely chopped.

What is contraindicated for the dog:

  • You can not give cabbage or vegetable tops;
  • food should be warm and have a mushy consistency;
  • Do not give bones to puppies up to a year;
  • the fish should be completely cleaned, removing not only the bones, but also all the fins.

Thus, a balanced diet will help strengthen, maintain and maintain the health of a beloved animal. Following all the simple rules and recommendations of a veterinarian, the dog will grow active, mobile and healthy.

Read more about how and how to feed your dog .

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