How To Buy A Dog

”It's estimated that 70-80 million dogs… Approximately 37-47% of all households in the United States have a dog” (“ASPCA”). This statistic shows that almost half of the households in the US own at least one dog. They are great pets to have as a family or alone, but there are some things a first time owner needs to know. I have 3 dogs and have lived with dogs for my entire life. If someone wants a dog, they need to know how to choose and buy your dog, care for that dog, and treat the dog when they are sick, so they can share the great experience of owning a dog.

To get a dog, one must first choose what type of dog they want. They should ask themselves questions about their lifestyle, like whether or not they are active or if they have kids.

One of the most important parts of caring for a dog is feeding it. According to the ASPCA, “Premium-quality dry food provides a well-balanced diet for adult dogs and may be mixed with water, broth or canned food. Your dog may enjoy cottage cheese, cooked egg or fruits and vegetables, but these additions should not total more than ten percent of his daily food intake” (“General Dog Care”). Dogs can eat more things than just dog food, but an owner shouldn’t give the dog too much and be careful what they give the dog. Also, if a dog spends a lot of time outside, the owner should give them appropriate shelter for the weather and season (“General Dog Care”). The dog also needs a warm, cozy place to sleep. You won’t need to bathe a dog more than once every month or two, but make sure all of the mats are out of your dog’s fur before bathing (“General Dog Care”). Even if an owner knows all of these things, there is still much more to owning a dog than that. Certain breeds have certain needs that the owner most likely learned when buying the

If a dog is ill, the first thing to do is contact a vet (“Caring for Your Sick Dog”) Veterinarians are trained to take care of a sick dog and prescribe medicines for a dog. Sue from Fidosavvy says, “Many human medications, including pain killers, are NOT suitable for dogs, and I strongly recommend talking to your veterinarian before giving Fido any type of medication” (“Fidosavvy”). Human medications aren’t meant for dogs, and they can hurt dogs very badly. Owners should not give dogs leftovers, as it can cause infection and injury such as pancreatitis (“Hidden Dangers to Dogs”) Whether or not it seems like something a dog can eat, even the seasoning on food can hurt a dog’s stomach. Following simple advice like this can help a dog owner greatly, even enough to save a dog’s