Here in the United States, dogs are incredibly beloved. Most of us, as a matter of fact, have fond memories of our childhood dog or dogs, of this there is no doubt. And the same will very likely be true of the children of today, as more than 36% of all households here in the United States currently have a dog. In most cases, the family dog will be just that – a true part of the family and far from just a pet. With research showing that nearly half of all American dogs (around 45% of them, to be just a bit more precise) actually sleeping with their owners in the same bed each and every night, it is clear to see this to be the case. And with up to 75 million pet dogs in the entirety of the country, it is clear to see that the popularity of dog ownership is far from one that is waning.
Getting a dog, however, is a bigger investment than many people realize. Dogs actually require a great deal of attention in many different ways, from their physical health to their mental well being. Adopting a dog into your family is no small thing, and is something that should be taken very seriously indeed. If you will not be home enough to properly care for your dog, it is perhaps worthwhile putting off on adoption a dog until you have the time to attend to them as they deserve. But if you are ready for the dog, the added responsibility is more than likely to pay off, of this there is very little doubt. And fortunately, there are many ways to ensure that your dog is well taken care of.
For one thing, simply making sure that they are eating enough is something that can go a long way indeed in your dog’s overall mental and physical well being. It’s important to know that your dog’s eating habits should and will change during different periods of their lives. For example, puppies, like human babies, will need to eat much more frequently and in smaller amounts than full grown dogs. Typically, you can expect a puppy to need to eat as many as four meals a day between the ages of 8 weeks around 12 weeks. And from this point on, the amount of food needed is actually likely to change yet again.
Taking your dog in for dog grooming services can also help them to live their best lives, so to speak. After all, dog grooming services of all kinds exist throughout the country. There are dog grooming services where you essentially groom your dog yourself, simply using the tools that are provided and there are dog grooming services where you pay someone else, a trained professional, as a matter of fact, to groom your dog to the very best of their own abilities. Dog grooming services can be particularly beneficial for dogs with longer coats, as dog grooming services can not only help to improve a dog’s overall cleanliness, but overall fur health as well. Dog grooming services will take care of matted fur or fur that has become incredibly tangled. Through dog grooming services, your dog can end up looking truly better than ever before.
And in addition to their coat, dog grooming services can also deal with elements such as your dog’s nails. And still, dog grooming services just make up one part of a much larger picture when it comes to the overall care and keeping of your animal. Where they go when you’re away is also very important. Dogs need to socialize and so sending them to a daycare for pets or even specifically a daycare for puppies is something that can benefit them immensely while you’re away working. Choosing the right daycare will also be critical. Typically, you’ll be looking for a daycare with a good ratio between dogs and handlers, with at least one handler for every 15 dogs – or even for every 10 dogs, as this is something that will vary depending on the scenario, such as whether the dogs are inside or outside.