Tips for Caring for Your Dog
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TIPS FOR CARING FOR YOUR DOG
Every animal has five basic rights, which must be upheld by its owner.
1. Freedom of movement
Dogs should not be curtailed for prolonged periods of time in a kennel, outhouse or chained up at the bottom of the garden.
2. Water/Food
Dogs should have constant access to clean, fresh water. Dogs should be fed at least twice per day. Puppies should be fed three to four times per day until they are six months old. Petfood manufacturers now produce breed-specific formulae which have a certain balance of protein and vitamins for that breed eg working dogs such as Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds or Border Collies require higher levels of protein than an average pet. Check dog food packaging for more details.
3. Shelter
Dogs should have a clean, draught free building or kennel which protects them from the elements. Kennels should be cleaned out every other day to ensure the dog’s continued good health.
4. Exercise
Depending on breed, dogs should receive anywhere between 30 minutes to one hours exercise every day.
5. Psychological freedom
Like humans, dogs become stressed if unable to express their frustration. A stressed dog behaves in a way that will attract human attention. Barking, biting and chewing furniture, chasing, digging, and forgetting its house training are all behavioural signs that the dog is not at ease with its environment.
Other considerations
Neutering
Prevents the misery of unwanted litters and promotes the health and well being of your pet.
Vaccinations
Five serious infectious diseases threaten a dog throughout its life time: canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parovirus infection and two forms of leptospirosis. Prevention by vaccination is therefore important (a combined vaccination giving full protection against all five diseases is normally advised), and must be started in puppyhood and maintained by annual booster doses throughout the animal’s life.
All dogs with no vaccination history should have a complete course of vaccinations followed by annual boosters.
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© 2013 Lisburn City Council
