Dog Care: Am I the Pet For You?

dog

Having a dog can be a lot of fun! However, a dog is a long-term commitment, not a part-time responsibility. Read below to learn how to take great care of Fido! By doing so, your dog will live a longer, healthier life!

How long can I live?

I have a lifespan of 10-15 years if you take good care of me every day.

What size am I?

Dogs come in different sizes. It depends on the breed (type).

What colour am I?

I come in different colours since there are many breeds of dogs.

What's my personality like?

Dogs' personalities vary. You will have to spend some one-on-one time with a dog to check out his 'dogitude'! You should also learn about the different breeds of dogs to find out more about them.

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What do I need to be healthy and happy?

Feed me! Make sure your dog has healthy food. A dog should be fed twice a day (breakfast & dinner). A dog needs dry food (kibble) and wet food (soft). A puppy needs a special puppy food until he is an adult. Please keep a dog’s dishes clean, too!

Water me! Always make sure that your dog has plenty of fresh water.

Shelter me! An outdoor dog needs an insulated doghouse for protection from the weather.

Control and identify me!

  • A dog needs to wear a leash and collar to keep him safe and under your control.
  • A dog needs an identification tag on his collar.
  • A dog needs a City of Ottawa licence tag every year. Licensing registers a dog and provides a way to have him identified and returned home if he gets lost. Believe it or not, only 58% of lost dogs at the Ottawa Humane Society are returned to their owners!
  • A dog also needs a microchip. A microchip is a small computer chip that is injected into the back of an animal’s neck between the shoulder blades. It has an identification number that is read with a scanner (just like at the grocery store). The number, when typed into the computer database, locates the address of the animal’s owner. If you move, keep your pet’s microchip information updated!

Exercise me! A dog needs to be walked 2 to 3 times a day for exercise so he stays in tip-top shape. An overweight dog can have health problems. Exercise can also keep your dog from being bored and developing behaviour problems like chewing on your stuff!

Groom me! A dog needs to be brushed once a week. It keeps his fur healthy and feels good, too! And don't forget to trim your dog's nails so they don't get too long.

Train me! Give your dog obedience training. A well-trained dog will not be a nuisance to you, your family, your neighbours or your community.

Keep me healthy! A yearly check-up and vaccinations (shots) at the veterinarian (animal doctor) will keep a dog healthy. A female dog should also be spayed and a male dog should be neutered to stop them from breeding and reproducing. Spayed and neutered pets live longer, healthier lives and are less likely to get cancer. They are also calmer and better behaved.

Clean up after me! Always clean up after your dog — it's the law!

Love me! Dogs are social animals and need lots of attention and love.

Pet tip

It's important to clean up after your dog! Poop left in parks or on sidewalks is not only unsightly, but can transmit disease. And it's not much fun to step in either!

Other Pets

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