The dog’s needs to have a happy, balanced and healthy pet

When we decided to have a dog, we decided that we will take care of him, meet his needs and he will be a member of the family.

It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that his four-legged friend has a balanced and happy life. We all know that a dog needs food, shelter, medical care, affection, walks. In addition to these, the dog has a series of needs that we will delve into in this article.

Food

It is the owner’s obligation to ensure a adequate food for his dog. Nutritional needs vary depending on the breed, age and size of the dog. The food must be of good quality and sufficient for the size and breed of the dog.

It is not advisable to leave feeding to the dog at its discretion, for adults one meal a day (weighed) or a maximum of 2 (morning and evening) is sufficient, puppies need more frequent meals. The owner must carefully document the foods prohibited for dogs and ensure that the four-legged friend does not consume them.

Among the foods prohibited for dogs are: chocolate, alcohol, grapes, onions and garlic, nuts, avocado.
Here you can see what your pet cannot eat
The water must always be discreet and fresh.
If you choose to feed your four-legged friend foods specially prepared for him, you must absolutely consult a veterinarian to ensure that you are providing your dog with all the nutrients necessary for harmonious growth and development. The food prepared for us humans is not suitable for pets because the salt and spices used can harm them.

Discipline

We all want to have the best relationship possible with our dog. Don’t pull on the leash, come when called, don’t eat off the ground, don’t be aggressive. Training is how we learn to communicate effectively with our dog. The basic commands, sit, lie down, wait do not represent training in themselves but only tools that we can use. It is recommended to use the services of a professional trainer who works through positive conditioning. We will reward desired behaviors and never punish the dog when he makes mistakes. Punishments are counterproductive and the dog will not trust us.

Daily walking is extremely important. The dog should not be taken out just to defecate. He needs at least 1 hour a day to walk, run and above all socialize with other dogs.

Another very important aspect is mental stimulation. In addition to training, socialization and physical exercise, we can provide the dog with much more toys that will put his mind to work. Toys to stimulate intelligence are usually with the release of rewards/food. On specialized pet websites/stores you can find a wide variety of such toys (and treats), from simple ones for beginners to more complicated ones. A tired dog is a happy dog ​​and much less prone to destructive behaviors (moving furniture, excessive barking) or separation anxiety.

Important: Training must be carried out by an accredited trainer and must always be carried out in the presence of the owner. Avoid leaving your dog during training without your presence

Here you can find a detailed article on training

Shelter

Being visual animals, dogs will always prefer to be in a semi-enclosed space. For dogs that live in the yard, the crate is ideal. In winter or in case of rain you can take shelter, but it is also useful in summer to shelter from the sun.

For dogs that live outdoors, the ideal is to provide them with an insulated cage in a secluded place, strategically positioned so that the entrance is not exposed to the wind. The entrance to the cage does not have to be large, it must be just enough to fit the dog into the cage, in fact it is just a large hole that facilitates the entry of the wind/cold. The cage should not be placed directly on the ground. It’s good to have support, to be slightly elevated. The entrance to the cage is ideal to have a swing gate, this way the wind is prevented from entering inside. Under no circumstances should you store old clothes, bedding, pillows, quilts in the cage. These will inevitably get wet and hurt the dog a lot. Provide clean, dry straw in the cage. They are very warm, dry quickly and can be changed as often as necessary. The cage should not be much larger than the dog’s waist because this would disperse the heat released by his body. Of course, not too small to fit comfortably inside.

The cage can also be used indoors for dogs who live with us in the house/apartment to prevent unwanted behavior or if the dog suffers from separation anxiety. It is important to choose the ideal cage size. The dog must stand comfortably and be able to turn around. Most dogs prefer to sleep in their own bed, but obviously there will be dogs that will want to sleep next to their owners.

Medical assistance

In the first year of life we ​​will have to make several visits to the vet. It is important to accustom your dog to visits to the vet. Even in the adult period, the ideal is to do a series of blood tests in a period established by the veterinary doctor, in addition to internal and external deworming and vaccinations which must be carried out regularly.

Very often health problems can be identified before the first symptoms appear

If your dog shows one or more symptoms, you need to urgently go to the vet:
– he’s apathetic
– refuses food, toys
-vomits or has diarrhea
– coughs
– Breathe hard
-tremble
In general, a dog that behaves differently than usual is trying to convey something to us.

grooming

While some breeds are more demanding when it comes to grooming, all dogs should benefit from a basic grooming routine. It is important to accustom your dog to being brushed, bathed, groomed and having its nails trimmed. Some dog breeds need to be clipped or clipped, other dog breeds are never clipped. It is preferable that the dog’s toilet is carried out regularly at one o’clock salon dedicated to pets(everything you need to know about grooming your four-legged friend) but that doesn’t mean we can’t brush/comb/wash him when necessary. The pet’s grooming products must be created specifically for him, we will never use products intended for human use (shampoo, soap)

At ZuziVet in Bucharest, sector 6, you will find a team of professionals who can help you groom your pet.

simulate

Dogs are social animals and need to interact with people. Spend time with your dog, pet him, play with him, go for a walk and in this way the bond between you will be more lasting.
Dogs need routine. Adopt a schedule you know you can follow and your dog will be the happiest.

By following these few rules we will have a happy, balanced and healthy pet.