Dogs make the world a better place just by doing simple things like wagging their tail when you come home and laying beside them. The warm feeling you get as you cuddle your pup is truly one of a kind. However, if you are a new fur parent, you might not yet see the beauty of owning dogs, especially when overwhelmed by anxiety. Given that you have never taken care of dogs before, it can make you wonder if you will be a responsible fur parent. Thus, do not worry! Keep reading this article to know what you should anticipate and, hopefully, how to best prepare for them.
- Basic Necessities
Dogs need certain things, much like people do. First, you must provide your dog with a good food bowl to accommodate the accurate food serving. The food you need to give your dogs depends on their age and breed. Most small and toy dogs require less nourishment than big and old dogs. In addition, give your dog a water feeder that is accessible and convenient for them. They suddenly get thirsty whenever it is too hot or right after they play, so water within their reach can help them ease their thirst. Dogs also love to snuggle in tight places. Hence, they can have one or more nooks at home where they treat it as their own. With this, you must always keep your house clean because their comfort place can be just anywhere. A clean and comfortable place to sleep, specifically with a dog bed, is also advisable. Lastly, our four-legged best friends are one of the most affectionate animals. Therefore, you must ensure that you are giving them enough love and attention.
- Parasites & Diseases
Having dogs is not imbued solely with happiness and fun. Some weights come along with our responsibilities. If we become negligent, we might spend some days seeing our dogs suffer from certain diseases and parasites. One of the most common parasites in dogs is ticks. Despite their small size, they can profoundly impact a dog’s health. They cause itchiness and discomfort among dogs. In a worst-case scenario, they may also transmit anemia, fever, and Lyme disease. Since parasites like ticks are common, you should know how to deal with them. Learn more and do more by reading all important information about ticks.
- Core Vaccines
Suppose you are worried about how your dog might easily catch a disease like the infamous parvovirus. In that case, you must consider vaccinating your fur pet with the core vaccines, especially when they are still a puppy. In addition, there are various vaccines for rabies, heartworms, kennel cough, leptospirosis, and more. If you want your dog to have a complete vaccination to help them prevent these fatal diseases, it is best to communicate with a licensed veterinarian.
- Regular Check-up
Puppies are not the only ones who need to be vaccinated and regularly checked by veterinarians, but also adult ones. Before proceeding to have your dog’s yearly vaccination, it is best to undergo a titers test initially. Titer tests examine whether or not your dog needs a vaccine. It is usually done by an antibody blood test determining if the former vaccine is still working on your dog’s immune system. By using this test, we can prevent unnecessary vaccinations. However, numerous states demand dogs be vaccinated against rabies annually. Therefore, in the United States, a titer test should not be considered when vaccinating your dog against rabies because rabies vaccines are mandatory.
- Grooming
Our dog’s fur can get matted and greasy over time. Grooming allows your dog’s hair to be renewed and refreshed. It removes your dog’s dead hair, dandruff, and external parasites between the clustered coats. Grooming a dog does not merely happen at the vet. You can do this at home by brushing your dog’s hair, cleaning their ears, cutting their nails, and brushing their teeth regularly. As a result, you are keeping your dog’s appearance and physical health in check!
These are some of the things that you should look forward to in having a four-legged best friend. Of course, you might encounter more as your pup grows up. Hopefully, you will be ready to fight off obstacles. Once you become a fur parent, it is hard to leave it since it will not be the same without a fur baby.
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