General Dog Car Information from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Experts say that dogs
were domesticated between 12,000 and 25,000 years ago—and that all dogs evolved
from the wolf. Since then, humans have selectively bred more than 400 breeds,
ranging in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose
three-foot stature earns them the title of tallest canine. But the most popular
pooches are non-pedigree—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds.
Cost
The annual cost of a small
dog—including food, veterinary care, toys and license—is $420. Make that $620
for a medium dog and $780 for a large pooch. This figure doesn’t include capital
expenses for spay/neuter surgery, collar and leash, carrier and crate.
Note: Make sure you have all your supplies before you bring your dog home.
Dog Supply Checklist
- Premium-quality dog food and
treats
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including
safe chew toys
- Brush & comb for grooming, including flea comb
-
Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for smaller dogs)
-
Training crate
- Dog bed or box with warm blanket or towel
- Dog
toothbrush
Basic Care
Feeding
- Puppies 8 to 12 weeks old need four meals a day.
- Feed
puppies three to six months old three meals a day.
- Feed puppies six months
to one year two meals a day.
- When your dog reaches his first birthday, one
meal a day is usually enough.
- For some dogs, including larger canines or
those prone to bloat, it's better to feed two smaller meals.
Do not feed your dog the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate
-
Coffee
- Grapes & raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic
& chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves,
stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
Premium-quality dry food provides a well-balanced diet for adult
dogs and may be mixed with water, broth or canned food. Your dog may enjoy
cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these additions should
not total more than ten percent of his daily food intake.
Puppies should be fed a high-quality, brand-name puppy food.
Please limit "people food," however, because it can result in vitamin and
mineral imbalances, bone and teeth problems and may cause very picky eating
habits and obesity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times, and be
sure to wash food and water dishes frequently.
Exercise
Dogs need exercise to burn calories,
stimulate their minds, and keep healthy. Exercise also tends to help dogs avoid
boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors. Supervised fun and games will
satisfy many of your pet's instinctual urges to dig, herd, chew, retrieve and
chase.
Individual exercise needs vary based on breed or breed mix, sex,
age and level of health—but a couple of walks around the block every day and ten
minutes in the backyard probably won’t cut it. If your dog is a 6- to 18-month
adolescent, or if she is an active breed or mixed-breed from the sporting,
herding, hound or terrier groups, her requirements will be relatively high.
Grooming
You can help keep your dog clean and
reduce shedding with frequent brushing. Check for fleas and ticks daily during
warm weather. Most dogs don't need to be bathed more than a few times a year.
Before bathing, comb or cut out all mats from the coat. Carefully rinse all soap
out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
Ever watched your dog roll on the ground, lick her coat or chew at
a mat on her fur? These are her ways of keeping clean. Sometimes, though, she’ll
need a little extra help from her friend to look her best.
MAKE GROOMING AS ENJOYABLE AS POSSIBLE—FOR
THE BOTH OF YOU!
Grooming sessions should always be fun, so be sure to
schedule them when your dog’s relaxed, especially if she’s the excitable type.
Until your pet is used to being groomed, keep the sessions short—just 5 to 10
minutes. Gradually lengthen the time until it becomes routine for your dog. You
can help her get comfortable with being touched and handled by making a habit of
petting every single part of your dog, including such potentially sensitive
areas as the ears, tail, belly, back and feet.
And here’s one of our most important tips of all--pile on the
praise and offer your pooch a treat when the session is finished!
BRUSHING
Regular grooming with a
brush or comb will help keep your pet’s hair in good condition by removing dirt,
spreading natural oils throughout her coat, preventing tangles and keeping her
skin clean and irritant-free. And grooming time’s a great time to check for
fleas and flea dirt--those little black specks that indicate your pet is playing
host to a flea family.
If your dog has a smooth, short coat (like that of a chihuahua,
boxer or basset hound), you only need to brush once a week:
- First, use a rubber brush to loosen dead skin and dirt.
-
Next, use a bristle brush to remove dead hair.
-
Now, polish your low-maintenance pooch with a chamois
cloth and she’s ready to shine!
If your dog has short, dense fur that’s prone to matting, like
that of a retriever, here’s your weekly routine:
- Use a
slicker brush to remove tangles.
- Next, catch dead
hair with a bristle brush.
- Don’t forget to comb her
tail.
If your dog has a long, luxurious coat, such as that of a
Yorkshire terrier, she’ll need daily attention:
- Every day
you’ll need to remove tangles with a slicker brush.
- Gently tease mats out with a slicker brush.
- Next, brush her coat with a bristle brush.
- If you have a long-haired dog with a coat like a collie’s or an
Afghan hound’s, follow the steps above, and also be sure to comb through the fur
and trim the hair around the hocks and feet.
BATHING
The ASPCA recommends
bathing your dog every 3 months or so; your pet may require more frequent baths
in the summertime if she spends lots of time with your outdoors. Always use a
mild shampoo that’s safe to use on dogs, and follow these easy steps:
- First, give your pet a good brushing to remove all dead hair and
mats.
- Place a rubber bath mat in the bathtub to
provide secure footing, and fill the tub with about 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm
water.
- Use a spray hose to thoroughly wet your pet,
taking care not to spray directly in her ears, eyes or nose. If you don’t have a
spray hose, a large plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup will do.
-
Gently massage in shampoo, working from head to
tail.
- Thoroughly rinse with a spray hose or
pitcher; again, avoid the ears, eyes and nose.
- Check the ears for any foul odors or excessive debris; if you choose
to use a cleansing solution on a cotton ball, take care not to insert it into
the ear canal.
- Dry your pet with a large towel or
blow dryer, but carefully monitor the level of heat.
Please note: Some animals seem to think that bathtime is a perfect
time to act goofy. Young puppies especially will wiggle and bounce all over the
place while you try to brush them, and tend to nip at bathtime. If this sounds
like your pet, put a toy that floats in the tub with her so she can focus on the
toy rather than on mouthing you.
NAIL CLIPPING
Most people really
don’t handle their dog’s feet until they are about to clip the nails and
then…watch out! Some animals can get very upset at this totally foreign feeling.
That’s why it’s a good idea to get your dog used to having her feet touched
before you attempt a nail trim. Rub your hand up and down her leg and then
gently press each individual toe—and be sure to give her lots of praise and some
food treats as you do this. Every animal is different, but chances are that
within a week or two of daily foot massage, your dog will be better able to
tolerate a trim. Here’s how to do it:
- Begin by spreading
each of your dog’s feet to inspect for dirt and debris.
- Use sharp, guillotine-type nail clippers to cut off the tip of each
nail at a slight angle, just before the point where it begins to curve.
-
Take care to avoid the quick, a vein that runs into the
nail. This pink area can be seen through the nail. If your dog has black nails,
however, the quick will not be as easily discernible, so be extra careful.
-
If you do accidentally cut into the quick, it may bleed,
in which case you can apply some styptic powder to stop the
bleeding.
- Once the nails have been cut, use an
emery board to smooth any rough edges.
SPECIAL BREEDS, SPECIAL NEEDS
Dogs
with loose facial skin or wrinkles—such as shar peis and pugs—will need special
attention. To prevent dirt and bacteria from causing irritation and infection,
clean the folds with damp cotton. Always thoroughly dry the areas between the
folds.
If your dog has long or droopy ears, you should check them weekly.
Remove wax and dirt from your pet’s ears with a cotton ball moistened with water
or a little mineral oil. You may need to remove any excess hair leading into the
ear canal; ask your pet’s vet or groomer to show you how before trying it at
home. There are special hair removers that allow you to carefully pull one
strand at a time.
Handling
Small dogs, sometimes referred to as
"lap dogs," are the easiest to handle. To carry a puppy or small dog, place one
hand under the dog's chest, with either your forearm or other hand supporting
the hind legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your puppy or small dog by
the forelegs, tail or back of the neck. If you do have to lift a large dog, lift
from the underside, supporting his chest with one arm and his rear end with the
other.
Housing
Your pet needs a warm, quiet place to
rest, away from all drafts and off the floor. A training crate is ideal. You may
wish to buy a dog bed, or make one out of a wooden box. Place a clean blanket or
pillow inside the bed. Wash the dog's bedding often. If your dog will be
spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure she has access to shade and plenty of
cool water in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered shelter when it's cold.
Licensing and Identification
Follow your
community’s licensing regulations. Be sure to attach the license to your dog’s
collar. This, along with an ID tag and implanted microchip or tattoo, can help
secure your dog’s return should he become lost.
Behavior Information
Training
A well-behaved companion canine is a
joy. But left untrained, your dog can cause nothing but trouble. Teaching your
dog the basics—"Sit," "Stay," "Come," "Down," "Heel," "Off" and "Leave it"—will
improve your relationship with both your dog and your neighbors. If you have a
puppy, start teaching him his manners as soon as possible! Use little bits of
food as a lure and reward. Puppies can be enrolled in obedience courses when
they have been adequately vaccinated. Contact your local humane society or SPCA
for training class recommendations.
You should always keep your puppy or dog on a leash in public.
Just be sure your pet will come to you at all times whenever you say the word. A
dog who is disobedient or aggressive is not ready to play with others.
Health
Your dog should see the
veterinarian for a full check-up, shots and a heartworm blood test every year,
and immediately if he is sick or injured.
Dental Health
While many of us may object to
our pet's bad breath, we should pay attention to what it may be telling us. Bad
breath is most commonly an indication that your dog is in need of a dental check
up. Dental plaque caused by bacteria results in a foul smell that requires
professional treatment. After a professional cleaning, the teeth and gums may be
maintained in a healthy state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a
specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your
veterinarian can give you more tips on minimizing dental disease and bad
breath.
You can clean your canine’s teeth with a dog toothpaste or a
baking-soda-and-water paste once or twice a week. Use a child's soft toothbrush,
a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger.
Some dogs are prone to periodontal disease, a pocket of infection
between the tooth and the gum. This painful condition can result in tooth loss
and spread infection to the rest of the body. Veterinarians can clean the teeth
as a regular part of your dog's health program.
Bad Breath
While bad breath caused by dental
disease may not be too serious if caught early enough, some odors may be
indicative of fairly serious, chronic problems. Liver or intestinal diseases may
cause foul breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell may be indicative of diabetes.
If your dog’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a
possibility. Any time you notice your pet has bad breath accompanied by other
signs of ill health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss,
depression, excessive drinking or urinating, schedule a visit to the
veterinarian.
Fleas and Ticks
Daily inspections of your dog
for fleas and ticks during the warm seasons are important. Use a flea comb to
find and remove fleas. There are several new methods of flea and tick control.
Speak to your veterinarian about these and other options.
Heartworm
This parasite lives in the heart and
is passed from dog to dog by mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be fatal. Your
dog should have a blood test for heartworm every spring—this is crucial for
detecting infections from the previous year. A once-a-month pill given during
mosquito season will protect your dog. If you travel south with your pet during
the winter, your dog should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In
some warmer regions, veterinarians recommend preventive heartworm medication
throughout the year.
Medicines and Poisons
Never
give your dog medication that has not been prescribed by a veterinarian. For
example, did you know that one regular-strength ibuprofen tablet can cause
stomach ulcers in a ten-pound dog? Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away
from your pet. If you suspect that your animal has ingested a poisonous
substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for
24-hour animal poison information at (888) 426-4435.
Spaying and Neutering
Females should be
spayed—the removal of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—removal of the
testicles—by six months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces
the risk of *** cancer, a common and frequently fatal disease of older female
dogs. Spaying also eliminates the risk of an infected uterus, a very serious
problem in older females that requires surgery and intensive medical care.
Neutering males prevents testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and
certain types of aggression.
The top 10 reasons to spay or neuter your pet.
1. Your female dog or cat will live a
longer, healthier life.
Spaying—the removal of the ovaries and
uterus—is a veterinary procedure performed under general anesthesia that usually
requires minimal hospitalization. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent
pyometra (pus-filled uterus) and *** cancer. Treatment of pyometra requires
hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. *** cancer can be fatal
in about 50 percent of female dogs and in 90 percent of female cats. Spaying
your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these
diseases.
2. There are major health benefits for your
male animal companion, too.
Besides preventing unwanted litters,
neutering your male dog or cat—the surgical removal of the testicles—prevents
testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
3. Your spayed female won't go into
heat.
While cycles can vary greatly, female felines usually go into
heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to
advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over
the house. Unspayed female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a
week, and can conceive for another week or so.
4. YouR male dog won't need to roam away from
home…
An intact male in search of a mate will do just about anything
to get one! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like
Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in
traffic and fights with other males.
5. …and he will be much better behaved to
boot!
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human
families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory
by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Indoors, male dogs may
embarrass you by mounting on furniture and human legs when stimulated. And FYI,
a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as unneutered dog--and
many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your
pet fat.
It's no use to use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and
overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your
pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and
monitor food intake.
7. Spaying or neutering is highly
cost-effective.
The cost of your pet's spay or neuter surgery is a lot
less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of
treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with
neighborhood strays…or the cost of cleaning the carpet that your unspayed female
keeps mistaking for her litter box, or the cost of…well, you get the idea!
8. It's good for the
community.
Stray animals pose real problems in many parts of the
country. They can prey on wildlife, cause vehicular accidents, damage the local
fauna and scare children.
9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for
your children to witness the miracle of birth.
We've heard this one a
lot. But you know what? Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention
of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal
euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the trust behind this dangerous
myth. There are countless books and videos available to teach your children
about birth in a responsible manner.
10. It packs a powerful punch in the fight
against pet overpopulation.
Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and
breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the
result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying
or neutering.
Vaccinations
- Puppies should be vaccinated
with a combination vaccine (called a “5-in-1”) at two, three and four months of
age, and then once annually. This vaccine protects the puppy from distemper,
hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. A puppy's vaccination
program cannot be finished before four months of age.
- Rottweilers,
Doberman pinschers and American Staffordshire terriers/pit bulls should be
vaccinated until five months of age.
- If you have an unvaccinated dog older
than four or five months, he will need a series of two vaccinations given two to
three weeks apart, followed by a yearly vaccination.
- Do not walk your
puppy or unvaccinated dog outside or let her walk or sit on the floor of an
animal hospital until several days after her final vaccination.
Since laws vary around the country, contact a local veterinarian
for information on rabies vaccination. In New York City, for example, the law
requires all pets older than three months of age to be vaccinated for rabies.
The first rabies vaccine must be followed by a vaccination a year later, and
then every three years.
There are a variety of vaccines that may or may not be appropriate
for your pet. Your veterinarian can tell you about them.
Please note, if your pet gets sick because he is not properly
vaccinated, the vaccination should be given after your companion animal
recovers.
Worms
Dogs are commonly exposed to worms and
possible infestation—even in urban areas. Microscopic eggs produced by
intestinal worms are passed in an infected dog’s ***. Most puppies, even from
healthy mothers in good homes, carry roundworms or hookworms.
The key to treatment is correct diagnosis. This will ensure that
the medication is effective against the parasite your pet has. A dewormer that
eliminates roundworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian
can best determine the culprit—and prescribe the appropriate
medication.