Caring For Your Dog - 3 Important Details You Should Never Overlook

Nothing can be too good for your furry friend - the best food & treats, cozy bed, plenty of playtime and walks. When giving the best care possible to your pets it the small details that can often be overlooked.  Although seemingly insignificant, these details can have a major impact of the health and comfort of your pet.

Clean & Sanitize Food and Water Bowls

Some dogs go after their food with exuberance, eat every last morsel and lick the bowl clean.  So clean that it may appear that it does not need to be washed.  Don't let the emptiness of the bowl fool you - your pet's food bowls should be washed and sanitized between feedings. Simply washing the bowl with water and dish soap is all that is needed. Failure to do so will result in the buildup of bacteria that can make your pet sick.

Same is true for water bowls that are especially easy to neglect.  Simply rinsing and refilling the bowl, time after time, is not adequate. Saliva and food particles can collect in the water and leave a film on the sides of the bowl, even after it has been rinsed.  Like the food bowl, thoroughly wash water bowls with water and dish soap and rinse well

Check Your Dog's Collar to Ensure Proper Sizing

Growing puppies appear to grow overnight when no one is looking. During this time of rapid growth, it is important to check their collars to be sure they are not getting too tight. Rule of thumb is that if you can fit 2 fingers comfortably between the collar and your dog's neck, it is the correct fit.

Adult dog's collars should also be checked periodically. If you pup gains weight their collar could become uncomfortably tight.  If weight is lost, the collar may become too loose and they may unexpectedly slip out of it.

Check Your Pup's Toys

Whether you pup has many toys, or just a few favorites, they need to be kept in top shape. Check stuffed, fabric toys to ensure they don't have holes where the stuffing can be pulled out and ingested  Plastic toys that have become torn can become dangerous if your dog pulls off and eats part of the plastic or rubber. This is especially important for toys with squeakers in them as they can become a choking hazard.

To keep your furry friend's toys is top shape, occasionally wash them to keep them clean, bacteria free, and fresh smelling. Plastic and rubber toys can be washed in water with dish soap and rinsed thoroughly.  Most fabric toys can be washed in the washing machine and be left to air dry.

Tending to the small details can have a big impact on your dog's health and happiness. The small details can add up to great benefits because nothing can be too good for your furry friend.