🐶 Dog Care: Do’s & Don’ts Guide
🍽️ Food & Water
✅ Do's
- Provide clean, fresh water at all times.
- Feed age-appropriate food (puppy, adult, senior).
- Maintain a fixed feeding schedule.
- Use high-quality kibble or vet-recommended diets.
- Give healthy treats like carrots, apple slices (no seeds), or boiled eggs.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t feed chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, or sugary items.
- Don’t overfeed – follow portion size based on breed and weight.
- Don’t give cooked bones – they can splinter.
- Don’t change diets suddenly — transition slowly over a week.
🏃♂️ Exercise & Activity
✅ Do's
- Walk your dog daily — duration depends on breed energy level.
- Provide playtime with toys or other dogs.
- Engage in activities like fetch, agility, or mental puzzles.
- Allow sniff walks for enrichment.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t leave your dog inactive or bored all day.
- Don’t force exercise right after meals — wait 30–60 mins.
- Don’t walk on hot pavement — check with your palm first.
🧼 Grooming & Hygiene
✅ Do's
- Brush your dog’s coat regularly (daily for long coats).
- Trim nails once every 3–4 weeks.
- Clean ears weekly with vet-approved solutions.
- Bathe once every 3–4 weeks or as needed with dog shampoo.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t use human shampoo or harsh soaps.
- Don’t skip flea/tick prevention — apply monthly.
- Don’t forget to brush their teeth 2–3 times a week.
👨⚕️ Health & Vet Visits
✅ Do's
- Schedule annual vet checkups.
- Keep vaccinations up to date.
- Use preventive medication for ticks, fleas, and worms.
- Monitor appetite, energy, poop, and unusual behavior.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t self-medicate without consulting a vet.
- Don’t delay treatment for visible symptoms (vomiting, limping, rashes).
- Don’t ignore signs of depression or anxiety.
🐕 Socialization & Training
✅ Do's
- Expose puppies to people, pets, sounds, and surfaces early.
- Use positive reinforcement: reward-based training.
- Be patient and consistent with commands.
- Socialize with friendly dogs regularly.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t punish or hit — it creates fear and aggression.
- Don’t force interaction with fearful dogs or strangers.
- Don’t skip leash training — it’s essential for safety.
🏠 Environment & Safety
✅ Do's
- Create a safe, clean sleeping area indoors.
- Ensure your dog is microchipped and has an ID tag.
- Provide chew toys to prevent destructive behavior.
- Use pet-safe cleaners and remove toxic plants.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t leave dogs alone for long hours daily.
- Don’t allow access to balconies or rooftops unsupervised.
- Don’t keep them tied all day — it causes trauma.
🧠 Mental Wellness
✅ Do's
- Talk to your dog — they respond to tone and love attention.
- Play brain games: treat puzzles, sniff mats, hiding toys.
- Comfort them during storms, fireworks, or separation anxiety.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t yell or isolate when they’re anxious.
- Don’t ignore signs of boredom: barking, chewing, pacing.
- Don’t assume only physical care is enough — emotional bonding matters.