Raising a dog isn’t always easy, and even when owners pay close attention to their dog’s care, it’s still possible to make one or a few mistakes.
If you are preparing or are caring for a dog but still do not know how to take good care of a dog, here are some taboos when caring for a dog that any dog owner should note.
Feeding Dogs Dangerous Foods
Not all foods are suitable for your beloved dog. Some types of food can be harmful, increase the risk of health problems, or even harm the dog’s life.
Here are some types of food that dogs should not eat:
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause heart and nervous system issues for dogs.
- Fruits with seeds: Fruits like grapes, apples, and pears with seeds can cause digestive blockages or choking hazards for dogs.
- Undercooked meat: Undercooked meat may contain bacteria and lead to digestive problems for dogs.
- Foods with high sugar content: Sugar can lead to health issues for dogs, increasing the risk of diabetes and weight gain.
- Foods with high salt content: Salt can lead to health problems for dogs, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
In addition, you should not overfeed your dog and ensure that your dog is properly fed and hydrated daily. If your dog shows any health issues, you should take them to a veterinarian for timely examination and treatment.
Overfeeding Dogs
Feeding your dog regularly every day is good, but one of the prohibitions when caring for a dog is not to overfeed them.
Overfeeding dogs can harm their health, leading to obesity, diabetes, heart problems, etc. Moreover, overfeeding can result in digestive problems like diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and nausea.
You should adhere to the correct portion sizes and feeding times for your dog, feeding them regularly but not excessively. If your dog feels hungry, you should divide their meal portions and feed them slowly instead of giving them all the food at once.
Neglecting Dog’s Living Space Hygiene
Neglecting the hygiene of your dog’s living space is also one of the prohibitions when caring for a dog. Without regular cleaning, dirt, waste, and dog hair will accumulate in their living space, potentially creating an unsanitary environment with polluted air, harmful to the dog’s health and the family members.
It’s best to frequently clean, sweep, vacuum, and wash bedding to ensure your dog’s living space remains clean and well-ventilated. Additionally, you should organize the dog’s belongings and toys neatly, ensuring they don’t obstruct the dog’s movement.
Inadequate Dog Kennel Size
Another prohibition to remember when caring for a dog is providing an inadequate kennel size. If the dog’s kennel is too cramped, it won’t have enough space to move and exercise, leading to stress and discomfort for the dog and potentially causing health issues. Additionally, a cramped kennel can foster bacterial growth, causing odors and reducing the quality of the dog’s living environment.
Choosing a kennel size suitable for your dog’s dimensions is best, ensuring enough space for movement, resting, and comfortable mobility. The kennel should be well-designed for ventilation, natural light, and fresh air. Simultaneously, ensure the kennel is always kept clean and well-ventilated, creating a healthy living environment for the dog.
Leaving Dogs Confined for Too Long
Leaving dogs confined for extended periods is also a prohibition when caring for dogs. Being confined for too long can lead to stress and anxiety in dogs, diminishing their quality of life. Dogs need regular movement and exercise to maintain good health. If you need to leave home for a long time, ensure your dog is comfortable and well cared for in your absence, or consider sending your dog to an appropriate and safe place to ensure they receive proper care.
Not taking dogs for regular check-ups
Not taking your dog for regular check-ups can lead to overlooking potential hidden health issues, resulting in more serious health problems with higher treatment costs.
Dogs need regular health check-ups and complete vaccinations to ensure their optimal health and to avoid the risk of affecting the health of family members. You should take your dog to the veterinarian at least once a year for general health check-ups and vaccinations. If you notice any unusual signs in your dog, take them to the vet immediately for timely examination and treatment.
Excessively exercising dogs
Regular exercise for dogs is good, but overexercising them is one of the prohibitions regarding dog care.
While dogs need exercise to maintain their health and enhance their bond with their owner, excessive exercise can cause muscle and bone damage.
Dogs need to be exercised at an appropriate level based on their age, size, and health. Excessive exercise can lead to pain or injuries. Therefore, you need to learn about the appropriate level of exercise for your dog and establish a suitable exercise routine to ensure their well-being.
Exposing dogs to harmful substances
Allowing dogs to be exposed to harmful substances like insecticides, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, etc., can harm their health and even lead to death.
Furthermore, you should also avoid letting dogs come into contact with poisonous plants, toxic animals, or insects. If your dog has been exposed to harmful substances, you should immediately take them to the veterinarian for examination and timely treatment.
Leaving dogs outside at night
Leaving dogs outside at night can expose them to risks. In winter, dogs can get cold if not kept warm. Additionally, dogs can be attacked by other animals, stolen, or agitated by external noises or lights.
If you can’t keep your dog indoors at night, ensure that their kennel or outdoor area is protected and safe, with a shelter to shield them from rain and wind and provide them with blankets to keep warm. You should also inspect your dog’s living area daily to ensure their safety and health.
Applying sunscreen to dogs
Applying sunscreen is necessary to protect the skin from the harmful effects of sunlight. However, unlike humans, dogs have a thick fur coat to protect their skin from the sun. It’s best not to apply sunscreen to dogs. This is because the ingredients in sunscreen can be toxic to dogs, especially those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
If you keep your dog outdoors for extended periods, you can protect them from the sun by bringing them indoors or providing a shaded area. Additionally, if necessary, you can consult a veterinarian for safe ways to protect your dog from the sun.
Using harsh leash corrections or choke collars
Using harsh leash corrections or choke collars is one of the prohibitions in dog care, as it can cause harm and pain to the dog. Instead, you should use gentle leashes or soft collars with an appropriate length that allow the dog to move naturally and comfortably. Additionally, teach your dog to walk on a leash using longer leashes and collars to make them feel more comfortable, avoiding discomfort or pain.
Yelling and threatening dogs is prohibited
Yelling at and threatening dogs is a prohibition in dog care. Dogs also need to be treated with love and respect as family members. If you constantly yell and threaten your dog, they can become fearful and lose your trust, leading to future behavioral and mental health issues. Instead, use positive training methods to create a safe, comfortable, and loving environment for your dog.
Not communicating with the dog regularly
Regular communication helps you better understand how your dog operates and learn to interpret their body language and expressions, building a stronger relationship between you and your dog. If you don’t communicate regularly, the dog can become lonely, abandoned, and unhappy, leading to psychological and behavioral issues.
Dressing dogs in clothes, putting on jewelry, shoes, or dyeing their fur
Dressing dogs in clothes can be uncomfortable and unpleasant for them. Especially in summer, clothes can make dogs feel hot and affect their health. Moreover, using chemical products like fur dye, nail polish, or perfume for dogs can harm their health. It’s best to respect the natural state and health of the dog, allowing them to live comfortably and healthily.
Not bathing the dog
Not bathing the dog can lead to a dirty and dusty coat, and bacteria and dirt can accumulate on the skin, causing irritation, fungus, dermatitis, and other skin-related issues. Additionally, suppose the dog is not bathed regularly. In that case, their coat can become tangled and matted, creating a favorable environment for parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites to attack and attach to the dog’s fur easily. Regular bathing is necessary to keep their coat clean and healthy, avoiding potential harm.
Not letting the dog go outside
Not letting the dog go outside is one of the prohibitions in dog care. Dogs need exercise, running, jumping, and exploring the world around them to maintain good health and mood. If a dog is kept indoors for too long, it can become stressed, fearful, and uncomfortable. Additionally, if dogs aren’t allowed outside, they can’t come into contact with normal bacteria, germs, and viruses that other dogs can interact with, which weakens their immunity and makes them susceptible to diseases.
However, it’s also important to note that dogs should be supervised and prevented from causing disturbances or attacking others. Furthermore, ensuring the dog’s safety is crucial by keeping them away from harmful environments and other risks.
Hitting the dog is prohibited
Hitting the dog is cruel behavior and is not acceptable in dog care. It causes the dog pain, stress, and violence, can also result in injuries and trauma, and negatively impacts their health. Moreover, hitting dogs can also have psychological and behavioral consequences, making them fearful and lacking confidence. Instead of hitting, you should use positive training and education methods to train behavior and improve the emotional bond between you and your dog.
Not having enough time and finances to care for a dog
If you don’t have enough time and finances to care for a dog, you should think carefully before deciding to have one. Caring for a dog requires dedicating time to their care, training, and building a relationship with them. You also need sufficient funds to buy food, accessories, and toys and cover medical expenses for the dog. You should reconsider having a dog if you can’t meet these requirements.
Above are some basic pieces of information about some taboos when caring for dogs that DailyPets.net has compiled and shared. Hopefully, with the insights from DailyPets.net, you have gained useful information for caring for and nurturing your dog, ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment for your pet. This will help them develop well and strengthen the emotional bond between you and your beloved dog.
