Before adopting / buying a dog, you have to take
into account several factors: is your house prepared for the arrival of a pet?
Do you have everything you need to cover its needs?
The first thing is to know that a dog is not a toy
, as a living being it has needs that we will have to provide: food, water, a
safe environment, the possibility of exercising and having normal behavior,
etc. In addition to some health obligations. This article aims to guide you in
acquiring everything you need to keep your dog in good condition.
Buy a feeder
and a waterer for the dog
Regardless of how your dog is, it is clear that he
will need to eat and drink, so it is essential to have a feeder and a drinker
ready . There are many different types of containers on the market, you will
have to choose the one that best suits your pet in terms of size and height. If
you have a puppy, the size of the bowls has to be according to its current
size.
If you have more than one dog, it is preferable
that each one has its own feeder / drinker. In terms of material, the plastic
ones are cheaper but they can break more easily and splinter into pieces that
the animal could eat. A more durable option is ceramic or stainless steel, and
these tend to weigh more and prevent accidental tipping.
Read also: How should a good dog bed be?
Read also: THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD REST FOR THE DOG
Read also: The importance of the bed in the rest of
our dog
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There are narrow and somewhat higher feeders to
avoid spilling a lot of content, there are spiral feeders for dogs that eat too
quickly and there are also adjustable in height for those with cervical
problems.
If you like to take long walks and go on excursions
with your pet, it is recommended that you bring a portable feeder / drinker,
they are foldable and easy to transport .
Water bottle adapters can be very useful. It is a
small trough that fits into the mouth of the bottle, allows the dog to drink
and then close the bottle again.
Buying dog
food
We already have the feeder but we need to fill it.
Proper nutrition is an essential part of our dog's health, especially if it is
a growing puppy. It is important to choose a good diet that meets its needs,
consult with your veterinarian about which is the most suitable food for your
pet and the amount and frequency with which you have to give it.
The most common and practical is feed-based food,
of which there is a lot of variety, although "home diets" can also be
given that involve greater planning and preparation time so that the nutrients
are balanced.
It is possible, especially if it is a puppy or a
very old dog, that it needs some supplement to the diet such as calcium or
vitamin complexes.
You can buy a snack, which are specific treats for
dogs, and although we should not abuse them, using them can help us in our
dog's learning.
Some of them also have an anti-tartar function,
which contributes to proper dental hygiene.
Buy a bed or
mat for the dog
To provide adequate rest for our dog we will have
to choose a suitable place, avoiding passageways and drafts. It is common for
the animal to be afraid given the new situation and having a somewhat protected
resting area can help it to adapt.
A mat or vet bedding roll will be the ideal
place to sleep, there are many types and sizes . In general, it needs to be
something bigger than the dog. The shape greatly influences the temperature,
the beds that are more closed keep the heat better and those that are only
surface are ideal to be cooler.
It is important that they can be easily cleaned,
make sure they are removable or that they can be put in the washing machine to
make them more practical.
Things you
have to have to have proper hygiene
Dogs have many types of fur, but they all have to
be brushed. Of course, there are different combs for each type of hair:
brushes, combs with different types of spikes and specific combs for removing
dead hair in short-haired dogs.
It is important that brushing is frequent and
pleasant for the animal, brush gently and without jerking. This custom keeps
the animal's fur and skin healthy because it stimulates blood flow and is a
good way to improve your relationship with your pet.
Dogs need natural wear on their nails and if we do
not have a suitable floor for it, we will have to cut them. Overgrowth of the
nails can cause problems walking and even curl and end up digging into the
pads.
You can buy a nail clipper but it is advisable
that, at least the first times, the vet does it and shows you how to do it.
For oral cleaning, in addition to the chewing
snacks that we have already discussed, there are toothbrushes. The adaptation
of the dog to brushing can be difficult, but afterwards it is a good hygiene
practice that avoids tartar and bad breath. For bad breath there are also
products that can be added to water or food.
Baths are recommended as long as the animal is well
vaccinated and in good immune status, that is, if we have a puppy we will have
to wait for its vaccination program to finish. In the market there are many
types of specific shampoos for dogs that respect and take care of their skin,
in addition to a multitude of aromas and textures we can find them with insect
repellants or sun protection.
Detangling wipes colognes and sprays ... although
they are not essential, they can facilitate living with our dog. You can also
prepare a kit for the dog, we will tell you about it here.
Read also: What should be the ideal bed for a pet?
Read also: Basic
tips for choosing a dog bed
Read also: Know
the most important things in choosing the right dog beds
