It is not always easy to know what to do when you have a dog. The basics are obvious. You need to make sure to keep them fed, get them exercise, and give them lots of scratches on the belly. However, they are creatures just like us and have a variety of needs. Yet, they can’t let us know.
Grooming is another vital part of caring for your pet. It includes getting regular tick and flea treatment. You also need to clip their nails and clean their ears and teeth. Grooming your new furry buddy might seem intimidating, but with time it gets easier.
There are a lot of common mistakes that dog owners tend to make. Although everybody does their best, there are times when you don’t know what to do or simply think you’re doing things right when you actually aren’t.
In this article, we will go over several of the common mistakes that dog owners make so you can be sure to avoid them.
1 – Not getting insurance
One of the biggest expenses when it comes to owning a dog is vet visits. There are always checkups to be done to make sure they are growing and aging well and in good health. Then there are the emergency and unexpected visits that need to be made. It is very common for a dog to get injured during its antics. It is also very easy for a dog to get sick from something it ate or by getting a virus.
This means that having insurance is a very wise investment. Yes, you’re going to have a monthly payment that needs to be made, but it is going to pay for itself over time when the vet visits become more frequent. Even aside from unforeseen circumstances, your dog is going to age and will require more visits to the vet over the years.
The best pet insurance will give you peace of mind while also making sure that you don’t end up thousands of dollars in debt if something comes up.
2 – Not changing their food
There is a specific food for every stage of a dog’s life. When they’re young their needs are a lot different than when they’re older. This is why dog food is formulated for their different life stages so they get the nutrients they need for their development.
It all adds up to you needing to change their food when they get older. As they pass from the puppy stage to adolescence then their vitamin and mineral needs will be different so you have to find the right formula. If you don’t change their food then you risk them getting sick easily and lacking the energy to exercise.
For older dogs, their food needs to be lower in fats and calories as they’re less active. Therefore, rotating their food will meet their dietary needs while sustaining their physique. If you don’t change their food, they might get sick easily and lack the energy to exercise.
Another great reason to change your dog’s food is to help reduce protein allergies. If you feed your dog the same food for long periods, allergic reactions are bound to happen. By changing their food, their immune system can recognize specific ingredients and fight allergies.
Your dog has an allergy if it has hot spots, itchy skin, or diarrhea. To be on the safe side, consider changing your dog’s food every three months. You may rotate the food between beef, lamb, or chicken.
3 – Not getting them enough exercise
A brisk walk every morning is a good way for both dog and owner to get some exercise. However, this is likely not going to be enough exercise for them depending on the breed. Some dogs need to get out and run off their excess energy at some point in addition to that walk. If they can’t release their pent-up energy through any form of exercise, it might lead to behavioral problems or make them more prone to health issues.
Make sure to have an exercise plan that allows them to get enough exercise every day. Otherwise, there is a risk of obesity and diabetes settling in. With sufficient exercise, your dog can build muscles, develop strong bones, and maintain healthy blood pressure.
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