Getting a New Dog? 2 Things You Should Do for It First
If you are getting a new dog, this is an exciting time for both your dog and for you. There are two things you should do for your new dog first to ensure you both are happy. Below are two of these things so you can start the process.
Spay/Neuter
If your dog is around six months of age or over and is not spayed/neutered, you should get this done as soon as you can. First, spaying or neutering a dog will help reduce the dog population. There are many dogs that end up not wanted and thrown in shelters. Once in a shelter, there is always a chance that a dog will be euthanized. This will also reduce the number of stray dogs walking around neighborhoods without a home.
There are also medical benefits of spaying or neutering. First, your dog will be healthier and happier. Spaying a female dog can help prevent breast tumor and urinary tract infections. In some cases, breast tumors can be cancerous. If you have a male dog, neutering it will help prevent prostate and testicular cancers.
If you have a female dog, you will not have to worry about it going into heat. Going into heat means you have to purchase pads to keep up with the messes and your dog may end up having to wear a diaper. If you have a male dog, you will not have to worry about it trying to escape to get to female dogs in heat in your area.
Veterinarian Checkups
It is also important that you take your dog to a veterinarian to get checkups regularly. When you first go to the vet, they will check your dog from head to toe. If you are not sure that your dog has been immunized, the vet may give them an antibody test. This test can help the vet determine if your dog needs vaccinations.
The vet will also check your dog for worms and other intestinal parasites. If any are found, the vet will give you medicine to give to your dog to kill the parasites.
The vet will take a sample of blood to determine if your dog has heartworms. If so, there is heartworm treatment, which includes giving your dog several injections to kill the heartworms. The vet will then give you heartworm preventative medication to give to your dog on a monthly basis.
Besides these two tips, purchase some things for your dog, such as a dog bed, dog toys, a dog crate, and more.
