Dog owners have a special place in their hearts for their furry friends. From choosing a name to finding the comfiest bed , pet parents usually go above and beyond for the snuggliest member of the family. Sometimes, though, even owners who have the best intentions can slip into some bad habits that can harm their pets.
We often make sure that we’re following proper pet care recommendations to ensure our family’s best furry friend will live a long plus happy life. But even with the best intentions, a few ways we prefer to spoil our animals can be problematic, and we don’t often pay enough attention to the environment our dogs are living in.
Pet experts say that these are the ten most common habits that will can be harmful to your dog.
Overfeeding
Dog obesity from overeating can lead to a variety of health problems, including osteoarthritis, congestive heart failure, skin disorders and difficulty breathing. That’s why it’s important to keep your dog’s diet in check. Check your own dog regularly: she should have the little bit of a waist, but if her bowel movements get softer throughout the day, this might indicate the problem.
When considering how much to feed your dog, the American Kennel Club recommends considering four factors: the dog’s breed, age, size plus energy level. As a general rule, most dogs should be fed twice a day. Puppies and larger dogs may need to eat more often based on their own size plus nutrition needs. But, the most important thing to consider is how much dog food is given at each meal.
PetMD notes that most canine food cans or bags have a weight-to-serving chart to help proprietors dish out the particular right amount for their particular dog dependent on size and age group. For example, one brand might state a dog of 3 pounds should consume about 1/3 cup, while a puppy weighing 100 lbs should eat about 4 1/2 cups of food. However, you’ll have to adjust this based on your dog’s lifestyle.
Feeding The Dog From The Table
When all of us see those big puppy-dog eyes, it can become hard to say no to your begging four-legged friend. However, veterinarians strongly recommend avoiding feeding dogs human food, especially from the table. In many cases, human being food has too much fat for the dog’s digestive system to handle appropriately. Another reason to avoid human meals for dogs is that many items possess ingredients that can be harmful, or even fatal, for dogs.
The particular American Society for that Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) warns against giving many foods to canines, including alcohol, avocado, chocolate, coffee (or anything with caffeine), citrus fruits, grapes or raisins, garlic and onions, xylitol sweeteners plus raw meats. Consult the ASPCA website in order to get a full list of what you should not give food to your dogs.
Beyond the negative health impact, providing human foods to canines often encourages begging behaviors, which may become a nuisance when excessive.
Matt Rourke / AP
Giving Dogs Rawhide Bones
While rawhide bones are not poisonous, many vets and dog care experts advise against using the popular treat with regard to dogs. Fetch by WebMD notes that will E. coli or salmonella contamination will be a possibility with rawhide treats and bones.
The AKC advises that rawhide isn’t easily digested and has a tendency to break into pieces that are too large for the dog to swallow, causing a choking hazard. Some dogs may handle rawhides fine if they chew them in to small pieces, but you may not want to risk gastrointestinal issues and blockage.
Not Properly Storing Household Cleaners
Keeping your home clean plus tidy is usually good regarding everyone’s wellness. However , whilst using household cleaners, you want to make sure to keep them out of the reach of your dog. Many of the particular chemicals used in ordinary cleaners, such as bleach, alcoholic beverages and hydrogen peroxide, are toxic in order to animals.
“If you are washing the floor and the phone rings and you pick it up and proceed sit on the particular couch to talk, your pet or cat could end up being playing with that will water, knocking it over, licking this, ” said Dr . Barbara Hodges associated with the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, on the organization’s website . “When you’re cleaning, you should only be cleaning. ”
Not Giving Your Dog Enough Exercise
Once dogs are usually potty-trained, they have a routine for walks or going out to take care of their business outside. However, did you know that a lot like people, dogs need more playtime and exercise than you think?
Like individuals, dogs require activity to keep their bodies healthy and trim. Without it, dogs may become obese, which can guide to a number of health risks in the long term. Active playtime, both indoors plus outside, can help canines manage anxiety, build and maintain muscle strength and ensure joints are healthy.
“Doctors say a sedentary lifestyle is the new smoking, and it’s similar with dogs, ” licensed veterinary technician Beckie Mossor told BeChewy . “These are usually preventable difficulties. ”
Allowing Your own Dog To Go Off-Leash Without having Supervision
When walking your dog or taking him outside to play, it might sound like a good idea in order to allow him to go off-leash so he can be more active. Experts warn that a number of aspects need to be considered before letting a dog off a leash or harness. Any time the dog goes off-leash, there are risks involved, including the fact that the particular dog could run away and get hurt by vehicles, other canines or wildlife.
In Preventive Vet, certified dog trainer Cathy Madson shared a list of questions for canine owners to consider before a dog is allowed outdoors without a leash. At the top of the list? Make sure your pet is definitely spayed or neutered, as well as tagged or even microchipped. If going off-leash is legal in your own area, take a look at some associated with Madson’s behavior training tips in order to get your dog ready to move.
Bathing Your pet Incorrectly
It can become a struggle to obtain your dog to get a bath, but changing your routines might help maintain this time of the week drama-free. VetStreet suggests making bath time easier by not running the water in earshot of the canine, keeping the particular water temperature warm (not too hot or cold), and never using individual hair shampoo intended for dogs. The chemicals in human shampoo can end up being too harsh for dogs’ skin. This can lead to irritation plus breakouts.
Drying Your puppy Improperly
Once your dog is squeaky clean, create sure to dry him the right way!
After gentle towel drying (do not rub vigorously), some groomers recommend using a blow dryer. Nevertheless, you must be careful. Sometimes in the rush of getting the job done quickly, the instinct is in order to go fast and very hot with the dryer settings. This particular can result in burning your own dog’s pores and skin. Writing to get PetHelpful , dog groomer Willow Mattox suggests using a warm setting on the highest airflow speed possible.
Trimming Your Dog’s Nails Wrong
The most common error people make with their dogs’ nails can be not trimming them enough. When the particular nails get too long, they get painful and can even cause arthritis, according to Dogs Naturally Magazine .
Owners often worry about cutting the nails as well far (into the quick), which may also trigger bleeding and pain. In case you avoid want to send your puppy to a groomer to obtain the nails trimmed, check out the instructional video from Dogs Normally Magazine. All you need is a pliers-style nail cutter and maybe a pet nail grinder along with this video to give the safe toenail trim!
Forgetting About Your Dog’s Teeth
Dogs can’t brush their own teeth. They need our help. But , we all often forget that all those teeth require attention. The particular problem with that is when neglected, a puppy can develop periodontal disease plus bacteria can lead to a heart infection called endocarditis.
“I think the majority of people don’t even look in their dog’s mouths, much less brush their own teeth, ” veterinarian Julie Cappel told Reader’s Digest .
Cappel recommends a soft toothbrush, soft cloth or piece of gauze to wipe down your dog’s tooth once or even twice a week. No toothpaste is required! And, in case possible, start this routine when your own dog is certainly young, so it becomes a healthy habit that your dog doesn’t dread.
