When cared for by a responsible and attentive owner, a dog can provide unparalleled affection and companionship. The key to a healthy and happy dog is learning about their needs. Read on for some excellent tips of caring for your dog and developing and excellent relationship.

You should talk to your vet about the foods you give your dog. Sometimes, your puppy may not be developed enough to consume certain brands, as this can lead to an upset stomach or sicknesses. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.

Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. If you jog a lot, buy a dog that likes to run, and not something like a toy poodle. Similarly, if you’re quiet and stay at home, small dogs might be better suited to you. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.

You don’t want to buy the bargain dog food. Cheaper brands usually contain lots of additives and preservatives that can harm your dog’s health. Use an animal advocacy group or some kind of consumer awareness group to see if you can get a list of good foods that are professionally recommended. Your dog will be much better off.

When you brush your dog every day, you reduce shedding problems and benefit your dog’s health in many ways. Daily brushing can help them acquire a beautiful, shiny coat. When you brush your dog, the oils on their skins are spread, creating skin that is soft, shiny, and healthy.

When you buy dog food, avoid the cheap stuff. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. While this could mean paying more for higher-end brands, your dog’s proper health will be guaranteed through eating healthfully.

You can always choose to foster a dog for a few weeks if you’re not sure about making the full commitment of dog ownership. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. You can give one a home for a while to help the cause and you can also keep it if you like it!

Don’t leave your dog outside all day long. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. Dogs become lonely. Plus, bad weather can be health and even life threatening to your pet.

Trim all hair surrounding the dog’s paws so that it does not become matted. Use a comb first, then start cutting. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.

A dog can be a great source of happiness in any family. If you want to own a dog, you need to understand what it takes to do it right. Hopefully this article gave you lots of excellent information about looking after “man’s best friend.”

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