Dog Care

 

   
The Dog Mind
    
         
    Dogs are by nature PACK animals. They like their family around them, and to feel part of a group. Each member of the pack looks out for and warns the rest of the group when there's danger.    
         
    They consolidate their relationships with each other by physical contact, mutual scratching. They hunt, eat, and play together.    
         
    So they're generally most comfortable and relaxed when they've got company. The odd one might not like other dogs, but will still want the company of his owner (mum). The human family has become a dog's substitute PACK.    
         
    Shut a dog on his own all day and he won't like it. Shut a human up all day who really likes socialising and he won't like it. Dogs are the same. They want to be in the heart of the family group all the time.    
         
    If you want your home to be a chew-free zone, and don't want the postman to fear the letter box, then get your dog a pal if you can't be there a lot of the time.    
         
    Given time dogs are generally fast to learn, and willing faithful members to include in your family pack.    
         
         
   
Dog Food
    
         
    Daunted by all the choice on the shelves? Draw a balance and give your dog a mixture of both wet and dry food along with veg and meat dinner scraps (free of small bones which could stick in the throat). And give him a variety of dog biscuits and chews if they agree with him.    
         
    Mixers and meals can be fed with wet / tinned dog food. Dry complete food is what it says - 'complete' - and there's no need to add anything but water or stock if you like. For variation add a few scraps or a spoonful of dog meat. But if you give your dog a lot of tinned food then you should use a mixer or meal that is not a 'complete' food.    
         
    Chews and treats are great, most dogs love them and some can help keep their teeth clean. However, if you have a dog which tends to gulp his food, small rawhide chews can get stuck in their throat. They've even been swallowed whole causing immense discomfort and even death.    
         
         
   
Dog Health
    
         
    WEIGHT: underweight animals can be camouflaged by a shaggy coat - feel under the coat to get a true picture. Being overweight is just as bad as being underweight. Listen when your friends tell you he's huge.    
         
    NAILS: dog nails need regular trimming, just like our own.    
         
    WORMS: worms can damage internal organs, and so dogs need regular worming. Tablets can be bought in shops but please do not buy these. See your vet and get your dog or puppy wormed correctly and safely. See more on WORMS.    
         
   

FLEAS: Fleas are a fact of life and must be dealt with. All domestic cats and dogs at some time in their life have contact with fleas unless the animals live their whole lives in total isolation indoors.

   
         
    If we neglect to deal with fleas then your dog can become very ill and may even die. Yes, the insignificant flea can be the indirect cause of death. After all, that is how the Great Plague spread - rats were infested with contagious fleas. And fleas live by sucking blood. Some fleas are particular about which animal to dine on. Some are not so fussy - grass fleas will hop on and off anything - including humans - for a bit of lunch.    
         
    In badly infested puppies and kittens the blood loss can cause anaemia - severe anaemia can lead to death.    
         
   

The flea carries the tapeworm egg. When your pet grooms itself it will swallow the flea - and the egg - and will then have a tapeworm growing inside the intestines. Tapeworm, if not treated, can weaken the animal resulting in loss of condition and weight. In severe cases the tapeworm may cause vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, and may weaken the immune system making your pet more susceptible to infection.

    
         
    Fleas can cause a serious skin disease - flea allergy dermatitis. There is intense itching and discomfort, and the skin soon becomes sore and weepy where the poor creature has been scratching and biting at the irritation. This results in a loss of hair, the wound becomes open to infection where abcesses may start forming.    
         
    There are many combat-flea preparations in the form of collars, shampoos, sprays, drops on the skin, tablets and injections. There is even a product that acts like a birth control to a flea which breaks its life cycle. Which ever one you use, be sure to consult your vet before treating kittens, puppies and their nursing mothers as these require a special product.    
         
    Some products kill the adult flea and are effective for just that one time. Others give the animal protection for 3 months or more. There are even products that will clear your home of these pests. But which ever one you use, make sure it's suitable for your pet. Many treatments can be bought from a pet shop, but as with wormers and other treatments, the most effective ones are bought from your vet.    
         
    JABS: As with cats and other animals, dogs need yearly booster injections to protect them against some serious infections. Injections are given twice, 3-4 weeks apart to start the course, and then a yearly booster there after.    
         
         
   
Dog Exercise
    
         
    Dogs love play and training, and some form of exercise every day. Two 20min walks a day are good for both you and your dog, with longer walks to beaches, woods, or parks when time allows.    
         
    There are many dog clubs you may like to join. These are social places where you can learn how to train your dog in obedience, heelwork to music, flyball, jumping and agility. It doesn't matter if your dog is big or small, pure or crossbred.    
         
   
Your dog can be your hobby and your social life, or he can just be your friend and companion - it's up to you.