Did you know that September is
Responsible Dog Ownership Month? This month aims to educate people on how they
can be effective, caring, and responsible dog owners. This includes ensuring
their overall health and wellbeing, keeping them safe, and more. Are you
wondering what you can do to take responsibility for your favorite pooch? Here
are four things to help you get started:
1. Make sure your dog is
easy to track
Dogs are curious little critters.
Unfortunately, that means that they can wander off and get lost from time to
time. Even if your dog is not known to wander, they're not immune from being
lost or worse yet, stolen. This is why it's crucial to ensure that your dog can
be easily found if he or she goes missing. One of the best ways to do this is
to have your pet microchipped. Microchipping can be performed by your vet, and
will assign your dog a unique identification number. This number will be
associated with a tracker that is inserted the same way a vaccination would be
administered. If your dog gets lost and someone returns brings it to a vet, they
can scan it and track it back to you.
In addition to having your dog
microchipped, you should also make sure they are always wearing a collar with
an ID tag that clearly states their name and your address and phone number.
This way, your dog can be easily identified and returned to you if he or she is
lost. The use of microchipping and ID tags are some of the best known ways to
protect your dog and ensure that they are never lost for long.
2. Prevent fleas and ticks
Tolkien said "Not all who
wander are lost," and this quote is more than a little true when it comes
to dogs. Sometimes, your dog may just want to wander off in your yard or the
woods, and there's nothing wrong with letting your dog play in those places –
provided that you can keep them from getting fleas and ticks. Any place that
has high grass and lots of low-lying shrubs is going to be a haven for fleas
and ticks, so if you're going to let your dog run around in those areas, it'll
be worth it to invest in preventative medication.
Flea and tick prevention for dogs can
help avoid parasite-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain
Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and others. Some of these conditions, if left
untreated, could not only cause discomfort and harm, but even an untimely
death! And even if your dog contracts no diseases from fleas and ticks, they
could be allergic to their bites, get skin infections, and experience a host of
other complications. Be a responsible dog owner this month and take preventative
action before it's too late.
3. Take steps to ensure
the health of your dog
Making sure your dog is in good
health goes beyond just preventing flea and ticks. When was the last time you
took your dog to the vet? If it's been a while, make a quick appointment for a
checkup. Your dog may need shot updates or a heartworm medication renewal.
Also, assess your dog's health; if there's anything that seems off or that you
have a question about, write it down and ask the vet while you are there.
You can also keep your dog in good
health by ensuring that they get proper exercise and a well-balanced diet. Take
your dog for a short walk around the block anytime you can, and a more
extensive one at least once a day (twice if you can). This will keep your dog
in good shape and help fight obesity. A well-balanced diet will also give your
dog the nutrients they need to stay healthy and energized.
How do you plan to take
responsibility for your dog during dog ownership month? Remember, the way you
treat your dog can be an example for others, as well. When they see how well
you care for your dog, they will want to adopt the behavior that will make life
a bit better for their favorite furry friends.
