DOG CARE
Food
Adult dogs should be fed twice a day. Young puppies need
food to help them grow big and strong, so they need to be fed often. As they
grow older the number of feeds can be reduced. When the pup is 6 to 10 weeks,
feed him 1/4 cup of food three or four times a day or every four hours, gradually
reducing to thrice, till he is 6 months and then twice a day by the time he
is an year old. Over feeding at an early age will have a long term effect
especially as some breeds are prone to obesity.
Dogs, especially young ones need a diet with high levels
of proteins, fatty matters, vitamins and minerals to promote the development
of bones and muscles. Dogs are meant to be carnivores and meat loaded with
fat and protein is the best food but, you can make them omnivores /vegetarians
by giving them a well balanced vegetarian meal complete with needed nutrients.
Dry, canned and semi- moist foods are readily available from stores as dog
food. Dry food which costs the least comes in chunks or nuggets which can
be nibbled and may be served by itself or by moistening or mixing with milk,
oil (1tsp corn oil with 1/ pound dry food) or with a whole cooked egg. Dogs
need minimum 15% of protein a day and the average recommendation is between
22 and 25% and that of fat between 20 and 50 %. Home made food must be
well balanced. It can be boiled meat with rice, oats etc or a vegetarian option
can be lentils cooked with vegetables like spinach or soya bean cooked and
mixed with either rice or whole grain pasta. Food must be served warm or at
room temperature and not straight out of the fridge. Fresh water for
drinking should be made available at all times.
Bathing
A dog can be bathed as young as six weeks. Frequent bathing
remove essential oils, dries out the dog's skin and coat and leads to skin infections.
Bathe them once in two - three weeks or even a month. Rub them down with a damp
towel or wash just the paws if they tend to get dirty often. Use mild soap or
shampoo (like neem, petmosol etc). Some shampoos may be allergic. Stop use if
any redness or itching is noticed. Rinse thoroughly after shampooing. When washing
your dog, keep the water out of his ears and eyes as much as possible. Use large
pieces of cotton to block the ears and don't forget to remove them after bath.
Regular grooming on a daily basis with a brush or comb keeps your dog clean
and its coat healthy. Grooming can begin when dogs are two to four months old. Brush
out and remove any mats in the coat before bathing. Begin by pushing hair up
and away from the direction it naturally grows with one hand. Then with the
other hand, brush the coat back down a few inches at a time. Nails should be
trimmed regularly with a dog nail trimmer. Always check the pad's on your dog's
feet for injuries and make sure that they are not getting raw or sore. A thorough
oral exam of your dog's mouth and teeth should be part of your regular grooming
routine. Veterinary research shows that periodontal disease permits the spread
of bacteria that can attack the kidneys, liver and heart. Ears also should be
kept clean. The earlier you start and younger the dog, the more comfortable
he will be, with the grooming sessions.
Exercise
If the dog is to be kept in top condition and happy, exercise
is a requirement as important as feeding. Lack of exercise can attribute to
almost every behavioral problem in dogs. It may also make them obese and susceptible
to health problems such as lameness, diabetes, heart and lung diseases and intestinal
disorders. Never keep your dog constantly tied up. The dog will become bored
and bad tempered. Whenever he has the chance to escape, he will. Instead allow
the dog the freedom of your home.
Dogs or puppies need basic training in obedience and should
complete all the vaccinations before it is safe to take them out in public
for any kind of exercise. A quarter mile walk is more than enough exercise
for a two month old puppy. Older dogs can be walked or run twice a day. Allow
him to sniff, explore and take his time rather than simply dragging him along.
If it is safe, allow him time off the leash as well. Walk, don't run short
legged dogs. The length of the exercise sessions may be increased as they
get stronger and more fit. But stop as soon as they show any signs of distress
like panting, limping etc. Besides walking, exercise may include running,
jogging, playing with a ball, fetching a frisbee etc. Swimming is also a good
exercise which also assists in cleaning.
