How to Meet a Dog's Basic Needs

Using Dry Food for Pets. This type of food is cost-effective and suitable for long-term use, as well as maintaining dental health. The dry food's particles help scrub plaque off teeth and are easier to store due to their dry nature. However, dry food might not be as appealing as wet food, causing some dogs to avoid or refuse it. Be sure to provide fresh water, as dogs cannot hydrate from dry food alone.

Choosing Canned Food. This type of food is enticing in flavor and provides the necessary moisture for your pet. However, you must be cautious when feeding your dog canned food, as it can contribute to plaque and tartar buildup.

• Canned food tends to be more expensive than dry food.
• Handling the food cans can be more cumbersome.

Using Semi-Moist Food. Semi-moist food isn't as common as canned or dry food. It is easier to store and clean up after compared to canned food, but it still carries the risk of plaque and tartar formation. Additionally, semi-moist food is more expensive than dry food.

Consulting a Nutrition Expert on Raw Food Diets. A raw food diet can offer numerous benefits for your dog, but it requires more preparation and proper storage. If you are considering a raw food diet for your pet, it is crucial to seek guidance from a nutrition expert to ensure your dog receives the necessary nutrients. Remember, dogs' nutritional needs are different from humans'.

Never Feed Your Dog Certain Human Foods. While humans can consume a wide variety of foods, dogs cannot, as some foods can be toxic to them. Some foods that should never be fed to dogs include:

• Alcohol
• Butter
• Grapes and raisins
• Chocolate
• Any food containing Xylitol sweetener
• Coffee and tea
• Fruit pits or apple seeds
• Garlic and onions
• Walnuts and macadamia nuts
• Yeast dough

Reading the Ingredients on Pet Food Labels. It is essential to choose high-quality food for your dog, so always read the information printed on the packaging. Most dogs digest commercial food well, as long as you check the ingredient list on the packaging to ensure it is healthy for your pet. The ingredients are listed in order of quantity.

• The list should have meat first (and ideally second), followed by grains. It’s acceptable if the food contains by-products, but these should appear near the end of the list.
• You can consult your veterinarian for advice on selecting food for your pet.

Follow the Manufacturer's Feeding Instructions. The biggest nutritional concern for pets today is obesity. It's important to follow the manufacturer's feeding guidelines by using a measuring cup to ensure you are providing the correct daily amount of food. The standard feeding amounts are usually printed on the packaging.

• Stick to the advice and limit treats to one or two times per day to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.

Feed Adult Dogs One to Two Times a Day. Pets over one year old should be fed twice a day, while dogs over two years only need one meal a day.

• Large or deep-chested breeds should have smaller meals two to three times a day to avoid bloating and avoid exercise immediately after meals, as this could lead to serious health issues.

Feed Puppies More Frequently. Puppies under three months of age should eat three to four meals per day. Puppies under one year should be fed two to three meals daily.

Adjust Food Portions Based on Your Pet's Body Condition. You can assess your dog's body condition to determine if they are at an ideal weight or need to lose a few pounds (although weight gain is less common). A dog with a healthy weight will have a visible 'waist' and when viewed from the side, the abdomen will tuck up toward the hind legs. From the front, a dog will have an hourglass figure. You should also be able to feel the ribs beneath a normal layer of fat.

• Thin dogs may have more pronounced folds and you can easily feel or see the ribs on short-haired dogs. In this case, increase their food intake by 10% compared to the standard amount.
• Overweight or obese dogs will lack a belly tuck, and it will be difficult or impossible to feel their ribs. If this is the case, decrease their food intake by 10% from the standard amount.
• Reassess your dog's body condition every four weeks. If they are still underweight or overweight, continue adjusting their food portions by 10% either up or down.
• Consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Take your dog for walks. In addition to a healthy diet, physical activity helps keep your dog mentally and physically fit. It's recommended to walk them at least twice a day. Pay attention to your dog while walking, engage with them, and play together. You can vary the walking routes to keep it exciting.

• Walking time depends on the dog's age and breed: puppies and small breeds should take short walks (up to 15 minutes), while large or muscular dogs require up to one hour of exercise daily.
• Short-snouted dogs (such as bulldogs) should take shorter walks (about 10 minutes) three to four times a day.
• As a general rule, dogs should not engage in excessive physical activity unless they are trained like athletes.

Consult with your vet about exercise for pets with health concerns. If your dog suffers from conditions like joint problems or diabetes, you must be cautious with their physical activity. Joint pain may make it difficult for your dog to enjoy walks. It's best to ask your vet about a suitable light exercise routine and treatments to relieve pain.

• Older dogs with joint problems should only go for short walks (around 10 minutes), three to four times a day.

Play games with your pet. An enjoyable and effective way to exercise and bond with your dog is through interactive games. Playing fetch is an ideal game, especially in a secure yard or enclosed space to prevent your dog from running off.

• You can also try playing a bubble-blowing game where your dog chases the bubbles if you want to avoid tiring them out too much.

Check the weather before heading outside. Extreme weather conditions should not interfere with your dog's outdoor exercise. If it's too hot, your pet may be at risk of heatstroke. On the other hand, very low temperatures can cause frostbite or hypothermia in your dog.

Take your puppy to the vet when they are eight weeks old. If you're raising a puppy, it's crucial to take them for a check-up at eight weeks of age. If your pet is older and hasn’t had a vet visit yet, now is the time to schedule an appointment for a health check and start or complete their vaccination regimen. This is essential for your puppy's health.

• Ensure that your puppy gets vaccinated against rabies, a fatal disease that can spread to humans. Many local authorities require rabies vaccinations.

Schedule the first round of vaccinations. When meeting the vet for the first time, you'll need two appointments. The first is for the initial vaccination, and after three to four weeks (depending on your vet's advice), the second vaccination will be given. This helps to strengthen your puppy's immune system against diseases.

• The vet will discuss local vaccine requirements. Basic vaccines include parvovirus, rabies, and possibly vaccines for tick-borne bacterial infections.
• Vaccines are typically given every one or two years. Many vet clinics offer reminder services via mail or email a few weeks before the next vaccine appointment after the first round.

Prevent heartworm in your pet. Heartworm disease significantly affects dogs' health. It spreads through mosquitoes and resides in the dog’s heart, leading to serious health complications. Your pet will need to undergo tests to ensure they aren't infected with this parasite. Preventative measures should be taken as early as possible to stop the disease from progressing if the test is negative. The vet will administer a shot that protects for up to six months or provide monthly preventive medication.

• If your pet tests positive for heartworms, the vet will discuss treatment options, including blood tests, heart X-rays, and potentially painful treatments such as strong medications and injections.

Consult the vet about deworming your pet. The vet will also recommend regular deworming for your pet. Puppies are dewormed during their first vaccinations to ensure they are free from roundworms and hookworms, two common intestinal parasites in puppies.

• During the second vaccination, the vet will check a stool sample from your puppy to confirm they are parasite-free.

Cân nhắc triệt sản cho chó. Biện pháp này giúp ngăn chặn tình trạng bùng nổ số lượng chó con được sinh ra và một số vấn đề sau đây: chó đực đánh nhau, ung thư đường sinh sản, và chó đực đi lang thang. Nếu thú cưng chưa được triệt sản, bạn nên sắp xếp với bác sĩ thú y để tiến hành.

Vệ sinh răng miệng cho chú cún. Loài chó, cũng giống như người, thường gặp phải tình trạng hình thành bựa răng trong miệng và cần phải được loại bỏ sạch sẽ. Mua bàn chải và kem đánh răng dành cho chó tại phòng khám thú y hoặc cửa hàng vật nuôi. Không dùng kem đánh răng dành cho người vì có chứa flo-rit gây hại cho chú cún.

• Cho một lượng nhỏ kem đánh răng lên đầu ngón tay. Nhẹ nhàng chà xát ngón tay dọc theo nướu răng trên để chú cún làm quen với kem đánh răng.
• Nếu chú cún cảm thấy thoải mái, ngày hôm sau bạn có thể thoa kem đánh răng lên bàn chải. Chải theo đường nướu của răng trên và nâng lên một góc để phần lông bàn chải nằm dưới đường nướu.
• Chải từ sau ra trước, tạo thành vòng tròn nhỏ dọc theo đường nướu khoảng 30 giây.
• Bạn nên đánh răng cho chó mỗi ngày hoặc ít nhất vài lần một tuần.
• Bạn có thể dùng thức ăn vệ sinh miệng có công thức đặc biệt giúp loại bỏ bựa răng khi chú cún đang nhai thức ăn. Các loại đồ ăn vặt chẳng hạn như da sống hoặc thức ăn vệ sinh răng cũng có tác dụng tương tự.

Tỉa móng cho chó. Bạn nên nhờ bác sĩ thú y hoặc kỹ thuật viên hướng dẫn vị trí cắt so với đệm thịt trước khi tự thực hiện. Phần thịt mềm có chứa mạch máu và dây thần kinh sẽ khiến cho thú cưng bị chảy máu nếu cắt phải.

• Nhờ người giữ chặt chú cún trong vài lần đầu cắt tỉa móng.
• Bắt đầu với móng chân sau. Móng thường ngắn hơn và chó thường cho phép bạn đụng chạm vào chân sau của chúng.
• Tìm vị trí đệm thịt hoặc ước chừng trước khi cắt móng. Cẩn thận khi cắt tỉa về hướng đệm thịt. Cắt chừa lại 2 đến 3 mm ngay trước phần thịt mềm.
• Tiếp tục với các bàn chân còn lại, khen thưởng cho chú cún vì hành vi tốt trong lúc bạn cắt tỉa móng cho chúng.

Thường xuyên chải lông cho chú cún. Chó cần được chải lông kỹ càng cho dù lông ngắn hay dài. Đây là cách hiệu quả để tăng cường mối quan hệ với thú cưng. Ngoài ra, bạn cũng có thể theo dõi tình trạng da của chúng.

• Đối với chó lông dài, bạn có thể mua lược tách để gỡ rối. Chải dọc theo bộ lông ít nhất hai ngày một lần nếu bạn không có điều kiện chải hằng ngày. Nếu không, bộ lông sẽ hình thành mớ rối bù gây đau cho chúng. Không những chú cún trông xấu xí, mà lớp da bên dưới có thể bị tổn thương.
• Còn chó lông ngắn thì bạn có thể dụng lược mềm để gỡ bỏ tóc rụng và kích thích da.

Kiểm tra lớp da bên dưới trong lúc chải lông. Đây là thời điểm thích hợp để phát hiện ký sinh trùng (bọ chét), hoặc u bướu. Ngoài ra ban cũng có thể kiểm tra tình trạng rụng lông, viêm nhiễm và các vết xước hoặc tổn thương.

• Nếu phát hiện bọ chét, bạn cần tiến hành diệt trừ ngay lập tức, dọn sạch ổ nằm, và toàn bộ ngôi nhà trước khi mọi thứ vượt xa tầm kiểm soát. Bạn có thể dùng kem thoa và thuốc diệt côn trùng trong nhà để diệt bọ chét tận gốc. Nhân viên phòng khám thú y hoặc cửa hàng vật nuôi sẽ đưa ra lời khuyên về việc loại bỏ ký sinh trùng trên chó và trong nhà bạn.

Tắm cho chó một tháng một lần. Nếu thú cưng cần tắm, bạn có thể dùng dầu gội đa năng dành cho chó. Làm theo hướng dẫn ghi trên chai. Không nên tắm cho chó quá nhiều. Hầu hết chỉ cần tắm một lần một tháng, hoặc da chúng sẽ bị thô ráp.

• Nếu chú cún hay bị bẩn hoặc có mùi hôi, bạn cần vệ sinh cho chúng thường xuyên hơn. Tiến hành thận trọng và trao đổi với bác sĩ thú y nếu có bất kỳ thắc mắc nào.

Chọn vị trí mà bạn muốn chú cún đi vệ sinh. Bạn cần dạy cho thú cưng bài học quan trọng nhất đó là tự đi vệ sinh ở địa điểm quy định. Vị trí có thể ở ngoài vườn và tránh xa đường đi.

Dắt chó ra ngoài thường xuyên trong thời gian đầu. Khi bắt đầu huấn luyện chó đi vệ sinh, bạn nên tạo nhiều cơ hội cho chúng tự giải quyết nỗi buồn. Dắt thú cưng ra ngoài thường xuyên, tối đa nửa tiếng một lần. Chó con đặc biệt có bàng quang nhỏ và cần đi vệ sinh thường xuyên.

Watch for signs that your puppy needs to relieve itself. You need to observe your pet closely to identify when it needs to go outside for a bathroom break. If you notice signs like panting, crouching, sniffing around, or barking, immediately take your puppy outside.

• Be sure to praise your puppy generously when it does its business outside.
• If your puppy has an accident indoors, do not scold or punish them. Simply clean up quietly and try again next time.

Give your puppy plenty of praise. After your dog has relieved itself outdoors, shower it with praise and affection, and reward it with a treat. It's important to do this immediately so your puppy can associate positive actions with going to the bathroom.

Carry waste bags to clean up after your puppy. You must always carry waste bags with you to clean up after your dog promptly, without delay. Failing to do so can cause environmental pollution and contribute to the spread of diseases.

Confine your pet to a small room until it is properly trained. Before your puppy learns the house training routine, keep it confined to a small room (such as the bathroom, utility room, or laundry room) with a floor that is easy to clean.

• This step is especially crucial if you cannot supervise your puppy constantly, as potty training requires continuous supervision.

Train your dog to use a crate. This training process involves using a crate to keep your pet confined when you're not home. There's no need to worry, as if trained properly, your puppy will come to see the crate as a safe space to escape daily distractions. Place the crate in the living room, open the door, and line the bottom with a blanket. Encourage your puppy to enter by tossing treats inside. After a few days, you can start closing the crate door for about 10 minutes. Gradually increase the duration until your puppy feels comfortable in the crate (without whining or barking), up to a maximum of four hours.

• The crate size should be appropriate so your puppy can stand and turn around without difficulty.
• Do not leave your dog in the crate for more than four hours at a time, and never use the crate as a form of punishment, as this could discourage your puppy from entering it again.

Rewarding Good Behavior. Dogs need to learn how to interact with others, including humans, to lead a fulfilling life. As their owner, you have the freedom to train your pet. Unfortunately, bad behavior is the leading cause of dogs being abandoned in animal shelters. The best way to train them is through rewards. By offering treats and praise when they follow your commands, your dog will be motivated to behave.

• Dogs are loyal creatures that enjoy socializing with humans. Reward-based training is effective and quick when teaching them.
• In most cases, you can ignore undesirable behavior, unless it harms other dogs or people.

Introducing Your Pet to Daily Household Activities. Dogs need to learn how to be part of the human world in a positive way. Start by gradually introducing puppies to household noises and activities that are safe and non-threatening.

• Avoid chasing your dog with a vacuum cleaner or broom.
• Take your pet on a motorcycle ride so they can get used to the feeling of being on the bike and see the outdoor surroundings.

Taking Your Dog to a Dog Park. This is an excellent place for pets to interact with other dogs and people. Always bring a leash, especially during the first few visits. DO NOT allow your dog to roam free unless they are comfortable with both other dogs and humans.

Enrolling Your Dog in an Adaptation Class. This is one of the most effective ways to help your pet adjust to other dogs, people, as well as everyday sounds and surroundings. These classes are often offered by community education, clubs, or pet stores, creating a safe learning environment for both pets and their owners. You can find these classes in local newspapers or online.

• If you're working with an adult dog, consider enrolling them in obedience training classes.

• Before adopting or purchasing a dog, ensure you have the time, money, and resources to care for it. It's unfair to both the pet and others if you're unable to cover veterinary expenses or provide adequate food, as well as not having enough time to nurture and play with your pet.
• Play with your puppy! They will mimic your positive behaviors.

• If your dog is avoiding training, especially potty training, it could be a sign of a health issue.
• Never hit your dog. This only causes fear and anger, damaging the bond between you and your pet.
• Only discipline your pet if you catch them in the act of inappropriate behavior. They cannot associate punishment with past mistakes.