Basic Dog Care
Written by Annie Link, Shelter Coordinator
Bringing a dog into your life can be the best thing you ever do. You’re signing up for endless love, lots of walks, constant laughter and joy – and of course, unlimited fur (dog glitter?) on your clothes. Before you bring your new best friend home, though, it’s important to know what your day-to-day life will look like!
Basic dog care isn’t complicated. It mostly boils down to consistency, patience and lots of love. Heavy on the patience in the early days!
Food and Water
First things first, you obviously need to be providing food and water daily. Make sure fresh water is always available and accessible. We recommend having set meal times for your dog rather than having them graze, as it’s easier to tell if they are not eating and may need medical attention. If you do choose to allow your dog to graze, make sure you’re putting a measured amount of fresh food down each day.
There are a lot of different food options out there – I recommend finding a food that suits their age, size and of course, your budget! If you’re not sure what a good quality food is, chat with your veterinarian about the options you’re considering. When you adopt a dog from AARCS, we’ll provide a sample bag of the food we’re feeding them so you can begin a slow transition to the food of your choice to help avoid an upset tummy.
Treats are great for training and bonding, but even small bites can add up quickly! Limit your dog’s treat intake and be sure to adjust their food intake if they get a lot of treats in a day. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is important for their health.
An important part of your animal’s food and water routine is making sure to wash their bowls daily with hot water and soap! This will help prevent bacteria build up that can cause skin infections or otherwise make your pup sick. Make sure you choose a material that is easy to clean, like stainless steel or ceramic. Plastic bowls tend to hold onto bacteria, so if you’re using a plastic bowl or puzzle feeder, make sure to thoroughly sanitize it.
Physical and Mental Enrichment
Your dog will live most of their life within your home, so it’s important to make sure you’re providing lots of opportunities for them to work their body and their brain!
Mental stimulation is equally important. It’s easy as humans to rot on the couch with the TV or your phone to scroll on, but dogs don’t have that same luxury! Enrichment activities come in many forms, and they don’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re giving your dog a frozen, stuffed kong to lick the food out of, or a puzzle toy to figure out, or letting them use their nose to find treats hidden around the house, your dog will definitely appreciate a boredom buster. Check out our enrichment blog post here for more ideas!
Health and Grooming
Even “low-maintenance” dogs need a little upkeep to stay feeling their best!
Regular brushing will help keep skin healthy and shedding under control. Depending on your dog’s coat type, your dog may need to be brushed more or less frequently. Regular nail trims are also important to keep your dog’s paws comfortable. Overgrowth of the nails can cause injury and even malformation of your dog’s feet – ouch!
You’ll want to make sure your dog visits the vet at least once a year for a check up and to stay up-to-date on all of their vaccines. Some vaccines, such as rabies, are required by law; others may be required if your dog is visiting boarding kennels or grooming salons. Talk to your vet to understand what your dog needs and how frequently they need their boosters.
Time and Attention
Training, cuddles and just hanging out together are some of the most important things you can do with your dog. You are their entire world! Life can get busy, so make sure to carve out time for your pooch. Looking for ideas on how to make your time together extra fun? We’ve got lots of ideas on our blog here.
At the end of the day, what your dog wants more than anything is to spend time with you – and I promise you, that’s the best part.
