The Adult Dog - Pet Care at a Glance

Because there are so many different dog breeds the subject of canine care is immense. Here we provide a general guide on how to care for your adult dog.

Whether you have had your dog since from a puppy or whether you are bringing a rescue dog into your home as a member of your family their care is a big commitment.

Your first priority is safety. Dogs can be very nervous creatures – and also very inquisitive.

Make your garden escape proof and don’t use cocoa shell based mulch on the soil as ingesting this can make dogs ill or even kill them. Lock up dangerous tools and chemicals, such as weed killers, slug pellets, fertilisers and insecticides, in the shed.

Indoors, lock up medicines and keep dangerous substances like cleaning products and chemicals away from reach, along with foods that are poisonous to dogs: chocolate, cocoa powder, grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts.

Having your dog fitted with an identichip should help avoid a lot of heartache should your dog go missing. The identichip is a tiny electronic device injected under the dog’s skin and has a unique code which can be decoded by a special machine used in most veterinary practices and many rescue centres.

A good quality, well fitting collar and lead are vital. Leather collars and leads are strong and look smart. Nylon versions are lightweight, strong and come in an array of colours and styles while chain leads are incredibly strong. A sturdy identity tag is also a boon (as a back up to an indentichip).

When travelling with your dog by car use a car harness or crate. Never allow your dog to hang his head out of an open car window; decapitation is a real risk.

Never leave your dog in a warm or hot car. Heatstroke hits incredibly quickly. Remember, as the RSPCA warns: dogs die in hot cars.

An adult dog’s dietary needs differ from those of a puppy.

Feed your dog twice a day at regular times. Use a high quality, commercially produced dog food to ensure the best nutritional balance. In general, cheaper products are nutritionally inferior. The more of a food that your pet’s body can actually, use the more economical that food is in the long term.

Choose a food that includes highly digestible carbohydrates like ground corn or ground rice. Ground barley provides protein as well as carbohydrate. Your dog’s food should also include high quality fats, e.g. chicken fat, and fibre. See our flynnthedog leaflet ‘What Does the Label Mean?’ for detailed information on what constitutes a good pet food or read it here.

Your dog should have clean, fresh water to drink at all times.

Do not feed your dog a lot of raw meat. Raw liver can cause vitamin A toxicity in dogs, even if it is accompanied by a balanced diet. A lot of raw eggs can lead to dermatitis, loss of hair and poor growth. Raw fish should also be avoided.

Dog treats will be welcomed by your pet but do not overfeed. Obesity is a killer.

The amount of exercise dogs need varies between breeds, so research this, but all dogs need to channel their energy through regular exercise. They need daily walks, usually twice a day, and most prefer a brisk pace.

If you can run with your dog in a safe place that’s even better. A game of ‘fetch’ with a rubber ball or ring will entertain most dogs indefinitely! Or buy a special dog Frisbee (these are stronger than the ones humans play with). Some dogs love to swim and this is excellent exercise for dogs with joint problems.

A sturdy chew toy will please your dog and exercise his brain.

Once exercise is over, your dog will want to retire to a comfy bed. These come in all sorts of materials at all sorts of prices. Choose one that will last a good many years. If fabric, make sure it is machine washable.

Just like humans, dogs can occasionally feel off colour but if you are worried about any symptoms your dog displays do contact your vet.

Some symptoms to look out for include: runny eyes and noses, panting and sneezing, shortness of breath, swollen gums, sudden weight loss or weight gain, changes in appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy or itchiness.

Have your dog vaccinated against common diseases like distemper and Canine Parvovirus. Also ensure treatment against fleas, worms and ticks. In Summer look out for ticks which can attach themselves to your dog’s skin andl gorge on their blood. You can buy tick removers to remove these parasites.

With love and care your dog will become your dearest friend and a much-loved family member. The relationship between man and dogs goes back many thousands of years (the earliest domestication of dogs was in Neolithic China around 7000 BC) although the adage that ‘a man’s best friend is his dog’ dates back only to 1870.

It’s as true now as it was then.

DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained here it is for educational purposes only. The writer of this article and flynnthedog can not diagnose any physical, mental or behavioural condition in animals nor prescribe treatment. We urge you to consult your vet if you have any concerns about your pet.