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6896ae4da7b1-0 | Owning and caring for a dog
is very rewarding, but it is a
big responsibility and a
long -term commitment in
terms of care and cost.
Typically, dogs live for around
14-16 years, but many may
live for longer, and some
breeds for less.
There is no single ‘perfect ’ way to
care for all dogs because every dog
and every situation is different.
It’s up to you how you look after
your dog, but you must take
reasonable steps to ensure that
you meet all their needs.
Do you know the five key things
your dog needs to lead a healthy
and happy life?
They are called the five animal
welfare freedoms and the law
requires you to provide these for
all of your pets.
1. A safe & comfortable
environment - give them
a safe, clean and suitable
place to live.
2. A suitable diet & fresh
water - feed them the
right food for their age,
health status and lifestyle.
3. The ability to express
normal behaviour
4. A stress and fear free life
5. Good health care - keep
your pet in good health
and seek veterinary
attention if they ’re ill or
injured.
2 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
b94eda590197-0 | There are a few simple ways to
keep your dog happy, safe and
healthy at home.
1.1 A cosy bed to sleep in
Dog beds come in many different
shapes and sizes. Round or oval
beds with a side are great for
when your dogs wants to curl up,
whereas mattress beds can be
good for lying flat.
It’s important to make sure you
provide the right size bed for your
dog. It should be large enough for
him to lie down comfortably and
stretch out his legs if he wants to.
Each dog will have their
preferences but it is always best to
give him a couple of options in
different locations - that way you
can be sure he will always be
comfy and won ’t put continuous
pressure on any joints. Dogs need
their rest so make sure he is left
alone when sleeping. Dog crates
Dog crates are a great way to
create a safe den for your new
dog as well as having somewhere
to put your dog securely for a few
hours if needed.
A dog crate needs to be big
enough for your puppy or dog
to stand up and turn around in
comfortably.
Dogs hate to go to the toilet in
their own bed, so a crate is a
great toilet -training aid, in those
first few weeks when your puppy
or dog is adjusting to their new
routine.
You can also use a crate to
transport your dog safely in your
vehicle.
1. Safe & comfortable environment
3 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
43a1930b6db0-0 | 1.2 Keeping dogs inside or
outside
We always advise against keeping
dogs outside because it can be very
difficult to meet their needs.
Living in a cold or wet place with no
comfort, company or affection can
cause a dog to suffer and may lead
to illness.
Dogs are sociable animals and need
to be around you and your family
so should be kept indoors, with
access outdoors to go to the toilet
and play in the garden/yard. 1.3 Access outside to go to
the toilet
On average, dogs need to go
outside at least 3 to 5 times per
day to have the opportunity to
relieve themselves.
We recommend that adult dogs
go no more than 4 -6 hours
between trips outdoors during
the day and evening.
As soon as you get up in the
morning you will need to let your
dog outside to relieve himself.
Your dog should not be expected
to hold himself for more than 7 -8
hours overnight.
Puppies wont be able to hold
themselves for more than a few
hours at a time so you will need
to get up during the night to let
them out.
Senior dogs will also find it more
difficult to hold themselves as
they get older.
4 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
5c8fb10e1003-0 | 1.4 Safety from poisonous
plants, household items
and other dangers
There is an endless list of plants
that are poisonous to dogs. It is
best to keep an eye on your dog
when he is out, and avoid letting
him chew on anything.
If you see your dog chewing a
plant, distract him with his
favourite toy, as chasing him and
shouting can convert plant
chewing into a dangerous game.
Azalea, daffodils, dieffenbachia,
rhododendron, sago palm and
yew are among the more toxic
plants encountered.
Horse chestnut twigs, leaves, and
conkers can also be poisonous.
Chemical Poisons
Keep all cleaning and garden
chemicals safely shut away, and
keep your dog out of the way
when using them.
Always keep your dog away from
domestic products such as paint,
and varnish removers, household
cleaning products, rust remover,
glue and fire extinguisher
chemicals as they can all cause
poisoning.
The fumes from products such
as varnish and paint remover can
also be dangerous, so don ’t let
your dog in the room when you
are using them, and wait until the
fumes have dispersed before
letting him back in.
Some types of weed killers (those
containing paraquat) are extremely
dangerous for pets and humans
alike.
5 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
97bf72b73a3f-0 | Antifreeze is extremely
toxic – store and dispose
of it safely.
Rat and mice poisons are
another hazard for dogs – both
through eating the bait, and
from eating poisoned rodents.
Many of these poisons are
coloured for easy identification,
so if you have seen the bait,
make a note of the colour.
Slug pellets particularly those
containing metaldehyde are
poisonous.
Either use a non -toxic form of
slug control, or cover treated
areas with chicken wire so that
pets cannot get to them.
Nemaslug and Growing Success
slug killer are safer alternatives.
Certain human foods are
poisonous to dogs
Chocolate, coffee and caffeine.
Macadamia nuts.
Grapes, raisins and currants.
Onion, garlic and chives.
Alcohol.
There are more but these are
the most common.
Make sure these are kept out
of reach at all times.
Medications
Medications that treat human
medical conditions can make pets
very sick. Never give your pet any
medication, including over -the-
counter medications, unless
directed by your vet.
As a rule, all medicines should be
tightly closed and stored securely
and away from pets.
6 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
e17d46a07231-0 | Puppies need more calories
because they have so much
growing to do and senior dogs
need fewer calories as they are
less active.
To ensure your dog gets all the
nutrients they need you will need
to feed them wet or dry
commercially made dog food.
There ’s a wide range of products
now available, in either dry or
wet form, but whatever prepared
food you choose, always read the
manufacturer ’s instructions.
Feed your dog every day,
preferably splitting the daily
ration into several small meals
throughout the day (unless
advised otherwise by your vet).
2. Healthy diet
Your dog needs a well -balanced
diet to stay fit and healthy as well
as access to clean drinking water
at all times.
How much your dog needs to eat
will depend on things such as age,
how active they are and their
general health.
If they eat more or less food than
necessary, they will become
overweight/underweight and may
suffer.
Dogs of different ages have
different nutritional requirements.
One of the best ways of ensuring
your dog has the right nutrients is
to feed it according to its ‘life
stage ’.
Puppy
Adult
Senior
7 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
8f766c102240-0 | Treats are a nice surprise for your
dog but they should be given in
moderation or he may pile on the
pounds!
Try to stick to dog food treats
rather than leftovers or raw
meat, although a little bit of
well cooked fresh chicken or fish
is okay.
You can also give your dog
healthy treats such as carrot
sticks and celery. Food should be placed in an area
where the dog feels safe.
If you have more than one dog
feed them far away from each
other - even if they are good
friends. This will stop them
eating each others food and
prevent any arguments or food
guarding behaviour developing.
Always ask your vet for advice
on what and how much to feed
your dog, and once you ’ve found
a balanced diet which suits
them, stick to it.
If you decide to change the dogs
diet, you will need to change it
gradually over 5 -7 days by
mixing the new food in with the
old.
Changing diets suddenly can lead
to upset stomachs.
Ask your vet for advice if you
need to change your dog ’s diet
due to their age or health
problems.
If your dog eats dry food, using
feeding balls to give some, or all,
of your dog ’s daily food ration
can help to lessen boredom and
provides some exercise.
8 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
4f86b64efae0-0 | If your dog stops eating
Try offering a range of
different wet and dry foods at
different times - making sure
you introduce new foods
slowly.
Try offering wet food at room
temperature rather than
straight from the fridge - in
general, dogs prefer this.
Try tempting a fussy dog by
warming food up a little to
increase the aroma - make
sure it is not too hot!
Try sitting down with your
dog, stroking him to try and
encourage him to eat.
Most importantly get him
checked by your vet as he may
have something wrong with his
teeth, which is causing him
pain.
Water
Dogs that are fed on an entirely
dry diet tend to drink more
water but if your dogs drinking
habits change, e.g. he is
noticeably drinking more water
or less, this may be an indication
of a medical problem so contact
your vet. Weight watch
There are a few simple regular
checks you can make yourself to
help check that your dog is a
healthy weight:
Make sure you can see and feel
the outline of your dog ’s ribs
without excess fat covering.
Your dog ’s belly should be
tucked up when viewed from
the side.
You should be able to see and
feel your dog ’s waist and it
should be clearly visible when
viewed from above.
If you are in any doubt about | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
4f86b64efae0-1 | viewed from above.
If you are in any doubt about
your dog ’s weight, always talk
your vet.
Some dogs are simply fussy eaters
but they may also stop eating
because of stress or illness.
9 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
50fc284ad1e7-0 | Dog behaviour can be puzzling to
both new and experienced dog
owners. Our canine friends don ’t
operate with the same
motivations as we do, so their
actions don ’t always make sense
to us.
3.1 Enough exercise
The most important thing to do
with your dog is to make sure
you have time to walk him at
least once a day.
They need exercise and a change
of scene. Being let out into a
garden or yard is not enough. If
you cannot manage this every
day you will need to find a dog
walker.
When walking - vary the route
and allow the dog to explore all
the new smells.
If dogs aren't walked enough, they
may develop heart problems,
become overweight, or develop
destructive tendencies.
Most dog behaviour problems
occur due to a lack of exercise
and/or mental stimulation.
Different breeds will need different
levels of exercise and older dogs
will need shorter but more
frequent walks.
You will know if you are providing
enough exercise for your dog if he
is calm and settled at home.
10 3. Ability to express normal behaviour | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
1930bf50bf27-0 | When you have taken on a new dog
remember not to over walk him
straight away. They need to build
stamina the same way humans do,
so you want to take it easy on them
at first, especially if they are
overweight.
Dogs don ’t just need physical
exercise for a healthy body. Their
brains also need to be stimulated
through games, toys and other
devices.
They want to investigate and
discover using their brains and
senses. Exposing your dog to new
situations, sights and smells is a
good way to enrich their day.
Finding things to do with your dog
is important. Like children, dogs
become bored easily and can turn
to undesirable behaviour to relieve
that boredom.
There are many fun things to do
with your dog. Here are some
examples:
Agility
Hiking across country or coastal
routes
Day trips - Most dogs love to
ride in the car. Take your dog
along if you ’re visiting friends or
family.
Freestyle musical dance
Flyball
Frisbee/fetch games
Nose work - A fairly new sport
called scent work uses the
amazing capabilities of dogs
noses and accommodates
almost every type of dog.
Obedience training - All dogs
should receive some obedience
training. How far you take it is
up to you – some people want
their dogs to compete in serious
obedience trials, while others | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
1930bf50bf27-1 | their dogs to compete in serious
obedience trials, while others
just want a dog who will obey
simple cues in daily life. In either
case, both you and your dog will
enjoy the benefits of better
communication and the
increased bond between you
that results from time spent
together teaching, learning,
and practicing.
11 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
c7b4e4725440-0 | Tracking - Playing hide -and-seek
with a toy or item of clothing can
be a tracking challenge for your
dog.
Trick training - Using clicker
training or lure training (using
treats for motivation) to teach
your dog to do tricks is a great
way to spend time with your
dog, improve your relationship,
and make obedience training
even more fun.
Work together - Dogs like jobs
and to have something to do.
This is especially important to
some breeds, such as collies,
labs/retrievers and spaniels. So
work together with your dog,
and find him a "job". This can be
as simple as playing fetch and
retrieve.
When you go to the dog park,
make sure to always pack an
object for your dog to retrieve
again and again.
Remember, your dog will love
spending time with you, so get out
there with your canine companion
and have some fun!
Dogs like routine - A good way to
make him feel safe and secure is
to be reliable in your actions. Try
to feed him at regular times. He'll
also appreciate knowing when he
can expect his next walk. But
don't worry - he won't mind a
spontaneous game of fetch!
3.2 Socialisation
Dogs need to be socialised from a
young age, which means gradually
introducing them to everyday
sights, sounds, smells, different
people of all ages and other pets | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
c7b4e4725440-1 | sights, sounds, smells, different
people of all ages and other pets
in your home.
12 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
a974c420c6db-0 | It is also extremely important to
make sure puppies are handled
gently as much as possible.
This is one of the most important
things for a young puppy to
experience, especially in the first
ten weeks of their life.
Good, early socialisation leads to
friendly, well -adjusted adult dogs.
Sadly, without positive early
experiences, dog can become
nervous, which often leads to
problem behaviour, including
aggression.
If your dog enjoys the company of
other dogs then try and get
together with other dog owners
and their dogs as often as you can.
3.3 What ’s normal behaviour
for my dog and how can I
encourage it?
The way a dog behaves depends
on their age, breed, personality
and past experiences – frightening
experiences and punishment can
lead to behaviour problems and
suffering.
In general dogs are playful animals
and enjoy having fun with toys,
people and other dogs.
Playing with toys
Toys and games fall into four main
categories:
Tug of war – toys to use include
raggers and rubber rings.
Chase and retrieve – use balls
and Kongs on rope.
Hide, seek and search – can be
played with people, toys or
food.
Pounce and shake – squeaky
toys encourage this type of play.
13 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
2d8735389cea-0 | Whatever toys you use make sure
they are suitable for your dog.
Check the toys regularly to ensure
there are no small parts that could
be chewed off and swallowed.
Have a selection of toys and swap
them every few days to keep your
dog interested.
Basic rules of play
Before you begin to play make
sure you can easily take things
away from your dog. If not, teach
the 'leave' command. Don’t play rough and tumble
wrestling games or allow your
dog to chase children. Both
are exciting for your dog but
can encourage games that are
out of your control.
Keep toys below waist height
so that you don ’t encourage
your dog to jump up.
Have frequent, daily, play
sessions at home and when
out for walks.
Play in short bursts of up to
five minutes and finish whilst
your dog is still keen to play.
When playing use an exciting
voice with lots of praise and
encouragement.
For dogs that are keen to play,
only start the game when they
are doing something you want
– such as lying down quietly.
This will encourage good
behaviour.
Tidy toys away at the end of
each play session.
Never force your dog to play.
14 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
41dd10980f3c-0 | It is different from puppy teething
since it happens after all the
needle -like puppy teeth have
fallen out.
Adolescent dogs often have an
uncontrollable urge to chew,
which could be because of
discomfort in the gums as their
adult teeth are settling into the
jawbone.
Why do dogs chew?
Adolescent chewing also occurs
as young dogs attempt to explore
their environment and discover
new things.
Reasons include the following.
1. Boredom – dogs left alone for
long periods or not getting
enough mental and physical
stimulation are likely to become
bored. Working breeds have
naturally high activity levels and
become easily bored in the wrong
home. This can lead to destructive
behaviour.
Digging
Dogs like to make dens – either
out of boredom or to make a nice
spot to lie down. Digging is a
natural tendency for dogs.
If you have the room, create a
spot for your dog to dig, like a
sandbox.
Place your dog ’s toys or treats in
the box and encourage your dog
to dig in it by digging in the box
yourself.
Periodically turn the dirt over or
place new earth in the sandbox to
keep it exciting for them.
Chewing
Adolescent chewing commonly
occurs in dogs between
puppyhood and adulthood at 7 -12
months of age, and can last for up | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
41dd10980f3c-1 | puppyhood and adulthood at 7 -12
months of age, and can last for up
to six months.
15 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
8e8e9ed0824c-0 | 4. An unbalanced diet
For example, if not getting enough
calcium your dog may try to
compensate by chewing stones or
plaster. All dogs should be fed
according to their age, weight,
health status and the amount of
exercise they receive.
5. Distress at being left alone
Some dogs cannot cope with being
separated from their owners and
are destructive when left.
The most important thing to
remember is that dogs need to
chew so you must give them
something safe and durable for
them to chew on, otherwise they
will find something inappropriate
to chew instead!
2. Puppy teething
This occurs between three and
seven months of age when
puppies have an uncontrollable
urge to chew to relieve some of
the discomfort in their gums.
Chewing also facilitates the
removal of puppy teeth and the
eruption of the adult set.
3. Attention seeking
If your dog learns that chewing
something forbidden (such as the
TV remote) makes you get up and
chase round the room, he quickly
learns that this is a great way to
get attention.
16 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
4a998d83b7a0-0 | A new home, moving house and
new additions to a family of the
human and animal variety can be
very stressful for a dog.
No matter how well behaved and
good natured your dog is, it is
important to always be on the
lookout for warning signs that
your dog might be feeling stressed,
scared or just uncomfortable.
All dogs give warning signals before
actually biting, so it is important for
you to learn to recognise the signs
when they are trying to tell you
something important!
It therefore becomes
necessary for owners to
appreciate the subtle signs
of stress in their own dogs in
order to provide the best
possible care.
Chronic stress can suppress the
immune response, causing a broad
range of illnesses. When dogs are stressed and
nervous they exhibit many
different kinds of behaviour that
either help relieve the stress they
are feeling or appease a
perceived threat.
While dogs like humans, yawn
when they are tired, they are also
much more likely to yawn when
they are nervous.
Lip licking does not always mean
a dog is hungry or has just eaten
either, but is a very clear stress
signal that is performed when a
dog is nervous or fearfull.
17 4. A stress and fear free life | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
e34263ff1073-0 | Yawning can be a sign that a dog
is tired, but it also signals stress.
Lip licking or tongue flicking . Dogs
lick their lips when nervous.
Brief body freezing – the dog is still
for a few seconds before reacting.
Body freezing – the dog freezes
until the threat goes away or he
decides to use fight or flight.
'Whale Eye' – the dog turns his
head away but keeps looking at
the perceived threat, showing the
whites of his eyes.
Furrowed brow , curved eyebrows
– caused by facial tension.
Tense jaw – the mouth is closed,
and the dog is preparing for action.
Low tail carriage – indicates
discomfort and uncertainty.
Twitching whiskers – caused
by facial tension.
Shaking – caused by adrenaline
release.
Drooling – stress can cause
excessive salivation.
Lack of focus – an anxious dog
finds learning difficult.
Sweaty paws – dogs sweat
through their foot pads.
Hair standing on end – the hair
on a dog ’s neck and spine stands
on end (like human goose
bumps), making the dog appear
bigger while releasing odour
from the glands contained in the
dog’s hair follicles. Here are some signs of stress you'll want to watch out
for in your dog, especially if they occur suddenly.
18 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
a7f04063e56b-0 | Why are some dogs shy or
fearful?
Shy or fearful behaviour is most often
caused by negative associations made
in early life.
If a dog doesn ’t interact with people
often or experiences abuse or trauma,
he may be afraid to trust humans.
Other shy or fearful dogs may be
that way simply because they ’re
genetically predisposed to be that
way.
19 What are common fear triggers?
A loud noise or a quick
movement.
A strange environment.
A strange person or animal.
An active child.
A stressful event, such as a
move or a trip to the vet.
When dogs feel threatened, they
usually respond in three ways to
the object, person or situation
they perceive as a threat: fight,
flee or freeze. Each dog has his/
her preferred way of dealing with
a crisis . | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
e0db45808e7e-0 | What you can do to help
your dog cope
Food is a great motivator for dogs,
so if yours is afraid of something or
someone in the house, use treats to
build a positive association and
confidence.
Keep any contact with the fear
stimulus to a minimum or eradicate
the fear stimulus altogether if
possible.
Keep your dogs routine as regular
as possible. Dogs feel more
confident if they know when to
expect daily feeding, playing,
cuddling and grooming.
Contact a professional animal
behaviourist to help you.
What not to do
Don't punish your dog for his
fearful behaviour.
Animals associate punishment
with what they're doing at the
time they are punished, so your
dogs is likely to associate any
punishment you give him with you
and he still won't understand why
he's being punished.
Don't force your dog to experience
the object or situation that is
causing him fear.
Don’t hug or let your children hug
your dog. It is a very invasive thing
to do that doesn't give your dog
freedom to choose how close he
wants to be to you.
20 PLEASE DON ’T HUG YOUR DOG | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
8b831274e687-0 | 5.1 Vaccinations
Vaccinations give protection for your
dog and peace of mind for you. They
protect your dog against diseases
which can cause pain, distress and
are often fatal. They also prevent
diseases from being passed on to
other animals.
Which diseases do vaccines protect
against?
Canine distemper virus, a virus
with no known cure.
Infectious canine hepatitis , which
usually affects dogs less than two
years old.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease
spread via infected urine or
contaminated water.
Canine parvovirus , a highly
contagious viral disease that ’s
especially severe in puppies.
Canine parainfluenza , which is a
cause of ‘kennel cough ’.
Annual vaccinations for the first
four illnesses above are required
and if your dog will regularly visit
boarding kennels, your vet will
also recommend they are fully
vaccinated against kennel cough.
Your puppy should receive a
primary vaccination course early
in life, followed by ‘booster ’
vaccinations and a health check
every year.
A rabies vaccination will be
needed if you plan to take your
dog abroad.
5. Good health care
21 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
b467b44f3df7-0 | 5.2 Grooming
Grooming gives you some valuable
bonding time with your dog as well
as providing a great opportunity to
keep an eye out for parasites in
the dogs coat.
Long -haired dogs should be
brushed daily to stop their coat
becoming tangled. If they are not
regularly groomed fur can become
matted and uncomfortable. These
mats may need to be removed
under anaesthetic by a vet.
Short -haired dogs will probably
only need to be groomed once or
twice a week.
22 Groom and wash your dog
Make sure you buy a quality brush
that fits the needs of your dog's
coat. You should also be sure to
rinse your dog off with warm water
when ever they get too dirty, but
don’t shampoo too often, as your
dog's skin may become too
irritated.
If they don't like bathing, be sure
to reward them afterwards. If
you're having trouble grooming
your dog by yourself, or they have
a difficult coat to look after, take
them to a groomer every six to
eight weeks, depending on how
fast their hair and nails grow.
Keep an eye out for red bumps, dry
flakes of skin and flea droppings. | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
c31363e07e91-0 | Did you know your female dog
doesn ’t need to have a season litter
before she is spayed? This is a very
old fashioned view from misguided
old fashioned vets!
5.4 Preventing parasites
The most common parasites in
dogs are fleas, ticks and worms?
Signs include:
Fur loss.
Inflamed (reddened) skin.
Scratching, biting or licking more
than usual.
Pot-bellied appearance.
Vomiting and diarrhoea.
Presence of parasites.
My dog/puppy is showing some of
these signs – what should I do?
First take your dog/puppy to see your
vet so they can advise on the correct
course of treatment as there are so
many different types.
Preventive parasite treatments
include sprays, tablets, injections and
‘spot -on’ preparations.
Treatments available ‘over the
counter ’ (for example, from pet
shops and supermarkets) may not be
as effective as those available from
your vet – so bear this in mind if you
want your pet to be properly
protected. 5.3 Neutering
What is neutering?
In male animals, the testicles are
removed – this is called
‘castration ’. In female animals, the
ovaries and the uterus (womb) are
removed – this is called ‘spaying ’.
Why do it?
Neutering stops dogs from having
unwanted puppies and prevents | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
c31363e07e91-1 | Why do it?
Neutering stops dogs from having
unwanted puppies and prevents
certain illnesses, such as cancer of
the testicles, ovaries or womb, or
pyometra (an infection of the
womb which can be fatal).
Puppies should be spayed when
they are at least 6 months old. At
this age females will start to
attract the attention of males and
could become pregnant.
Puppies will mate with their
siblings and parents, causing
inbreeding!
Neutering can make male dogs less
aggressive and reduce or eradicate
‘humping ’ behaviour. Neutered male
dogs are also less likely to wander off
and stray, which can reduce their
chances of getting hit by a car or
being picked up by a dog warden.
23 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
139a3ffdd085-0 | Fleas
Fleas are very common in dogs but
can be hard to spot.
It’s advisable to use preventative
treatment on your dog regularly for
fleas, whether he has them or not,
as it is far harder to deal with an
infestation than to prevent one.
Fleas are not just irritating, their
saliva is considered one of the
most allergenic substances on
earth, and is the cause of a nasty
skin disease in pets called Flea
Allergic Dermatitis (FAD).
When they bite, fleas ingest blood.
If the infestation is severe enough,
it can cause anaemia or even kill a
small puppy.
Never use a dog flea treatment on
a cat as some can be rapidly fatal
and don ’t let your cat come into
contact with a dog that has been
treated for fleas until the product
has dried.
24
If you do have a flea outbreak,
you will need to treat all the pets
in the home and de -flea your
home too.
Treat carpets, the bottoms of
curtains, furniture, and your pets
bedding with a suitable product
recommended by your vet.
Always wash your pets bedding
at a high temperature to kill off
any parasites or bugs.
Fleas are also the intermediate
host of the tapeworm.
Therefore it is important to
remember when treating your | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
139a3ffdd085-1 | host of the tapeworm.
Therefore it is important to
remember when treating your
dog for fleas, to treat him for
tapeworms too. | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
dbe6603876a1-0 | Worms
Dogs can become infected with
various internal worms.
Roundworms are the most
common type of worm affecting
dogs and cats in the UK.
Tapeworms can be caught from
fleas, which can carry the larval
stages of the tapeworm. When
your pet grooms itself, it can
accidentally ingest a flea, which
can lead to a tapeworm
infestation in your pet.
There are many different
treatments available and your
vet will be able to advise you
about how often to de -worm
your dog and the most suitable,
effective product to use, which
may depend on your dogs
lifestyle.
Ticks
Ticks are common in woodland,
grassland and heath areas, but can
also be found in your garden if you
live in an area with lots of wildlife.
You are most likely to come across
ticks between spring and autumn,
but they are active throughout the
year.
Ticks don ’t fly or jump, but climb or
drop on to your dogs coat when
they brush past the area they are
sitting in. Dog ticks carry diseases,
so it ’s important to remove any
that attach themselves to your dog
as soon as possible. Rapid removal
lessens the risk of disease.
This can be tricky, as you need to
be careful not to squeeze the tick ’s
body, or allow its head to get stuck
inside your dog. Squeezing a tick ’s
body can cause it to expel blood
back into your dog, increasing the | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
dbe6603876a1-1 | body can cause it to expel blood
back into your dog, increasing the
risk of infection.
Twisting them off your dog is the
best removal method, and pet
shops sell handy tick -removal
devices to make this easier. Ask
your vet for advice.
25 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
4d377f12c22b-0 | 5.5 Microchipping
Many pets go missing every year and,
sadly, many are never reunited with
their owners.
Identifying your dog with a microchip
is now required by law and gives you
a greater chance of being reunited
with your dog should they get lost.
They are also more likely to receive
prompt veterinary care if found
injured!
A microchip is a harmless radio chip
about the size of a grain of rice. It is
injected under the skin of your dog
in the same way as a routine
vaccination.
If you adopt a dog or puppy from a
reputable rescue centre or breeder
they should already be microchipped.
Once your dog is microchipped,
remember to make sure your
contact details are always kept up to
date with the microchip database.
You will also need to ensure your
dogs wear a collar with an ID tag on it
that shows the owners name, home
address and telephone numbers.
This is required by law. 5.6 Dental care
Looking after your dogs teeth is just as
important as looking after our own.
Do puppies have baby and adult
teeth?
Yes - your puppy will start to lose
their baby teeth around three months
of age. You will find they want to
chew things more so be sure to
provide plenty of suitable toys for
them to chew. They normally have a
full set of adult teeth around six
months of age.
Dental disease is quite common in | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
4d377f12c22b-1 | months of age.
Dental disease is quite common in
dogs, especially as they get older.
You should get your dogs teeth
regularly checked by your vet.
26 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
064a55a75bf3-0 | Research pet insurance policies
before you buy and check for policy
limitations. Policies vary when it
comes to the level of cover they offer.
In addition, each company will apply
their own conditions and exclusions to
their policies.
5.8 Who should care for my
dog if I go on holiday?
Dogs can become quite stressed when
they are away from their owners so if
you are going away, try to find a
responsible person to care for, and
meet all of your dogs welfare needs
within his/her familiar home. If this
isn’t possible, your dog should be
boarded at a reputable kennels. We
offer a dog boarding service here at
Gables, which raises funds for the
welfare work we do.
If you are boarding your dog, check
out the kennels in advance and make
sure it is licensed. Good kennels will
insist that all animals are fully
vaccinated and will ask to see
certificates. Also check that the
kennels are never left unattended.
Taking familiar items along when your
dog goes into kennels e.g. your dogs
bed and toys, can help them feel more
‘at home ’.
We hope you have found this
leaflet useful. Please feel free to
contact us for more information
or see our other leaflets for more
detail. We hope you enjoy your
new dog.
Many dogs do not show obvious
discomfort, although signs of dental
disease may include:
• reduced appetite,
• halitosis (bad breath),
• dropping food or difficulty in eating, | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
064a55a75bf3-1 | • halitosis (bad breath),
• dropping food or difficulty in eating,
• blood -tinged saliva or drooling,
• unusual face rubbing or pawing at
the mouth,
• behavioural changes, such as
becoming quieter or more
aggressive,
• reduced grooming,
• sneezing, nasal discharge or facial
swelling.
Dental disease can be painful and
seriously affect your dogs health and
welfare. Bacteria can enter the dogs
bloodstream and affect the heart and
kidneys. Consult your vet for more
advice.
5.7 Pet insurance
At Gables we recommend you take out
pet insurance to ensure you ’re able to
cover unplanned vet bills should the
worst happen. You might have thought
about routine costs, such as
vaccinations. But out of the ordinary
expenses can easily happen. Costs
can rise rapidly, especially if your dog
needs to stay in a Vet Hospital.
27 | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |
bfdd70afdf24-0 | Reception & Shop Opening Hours
Monday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Tuesday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Wednesday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Thursday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Saturday 9.00am - 3.30pm
Sunday 9.00am - 3.30pm
Bank Holidays 9.00am - 3.30pm
204 Merafield Road
Plymouth
Devon
PL7 1UQ
Telephone: 01752 331602
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gables.org.uk | Caring-for-your-dog-leaflet-PDF.pdf |