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.

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.