Dog care basics

Feeding

Most dogs do best on a complete and balanced dog food as their main diet; the American Kennel Club advises that people food should only ever be an occasional, plain treat and never a replacement for it. Introduce any new food slowly, one at a time, in small amounts. Fresh water should always be available.

Some common foods are dangerous to dogs: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic and chives, macadamia nuts, alcohol, raw yeast dough and anything sweetened with xylitol all appear on the ASPCA's list of foods to avoid. Our Can dogs eat this? table covers more than 50 foods.

Keeping a healthy weight

Vets assess weight with a body condition score rather than the scale alone. On the 9 point scale used on the WSAVA chart, an ideal dog (score 4 to 5) has ribs you can feel without excess fat, a waist visible from above and a tucked up belly seen from the side. Keeping dogs lean matters: in a 14 year study of 48 Labrador retrievers, the dogs fed 25 percent less than their littermates lived a median of 13 years compared with 11.2 years, and developed hip osteoarthritis later. See how to body condition score your dog.

Exercise and enrichment

How much exercise a dog needs depends on its age, health and breed type (see what a breed was made for). Daily walks, sniffing time, play and short training sessions all count. Mental work matters as well as physical: food puzzle toys, scatter feeding and learning new cues give dogs something to do. The AVSAB recommends teaching puppies to spend some time playing alone with favorite toys, such as stuffed food toys, or resting in a safe place, which helps them learn to settle without you.

Teeth

The American Veterinary Medical Association says periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs, and that by about 3 years old most dogs will very likely show early signs of it. Its advice:

• Brushing is the single most effective thing you can do at home. Daily is best, but several times a week can be effective.
• Have your vet check your dog's teeth at least once a year.
• Book a check sooner for bad breath, broken or loose teeth, tartar, dropping food, drooling, reduced appetite, pain, bleeding or swelling around the mouth.
• The American Veterinary Dental College does not recommend "anesthesia free" cleanings, because they cannot clean or inspect below the gumline, where most dental disease happens.

Grooming

Grooming needs vary hugely between coat types. Regular brushing removes loose hair and lets you spot lumps, ticks, skin problems and sore paws early. Check ears and nails as part of the routine and get your dog used to being handled all over from puppyhood, which the AVSAB recommends as part of socialization. If grooming causes fear or pain, stop and ask your vet or a groomer for help rather than forcing it.

ID and microchips

A microchip and an up to date registration greatly improve the chance of getting a lost dog back. In the UK it is the law: all dogs must be microchipped and registered on an approved database by 8 weeks old, owners must keep the details up to date, and a dog must also wear a collar and tag with the owner's name and address in a public place. Rules differ in other countries, so check locally.

Hot weather and heatstroke

The RSPCA warns that heatstroke can kill. Dogs most at risk include flat faced breeds, dogs with thick coats, puppies, older dogs and dogs with breathing problems. Warning signs include heavy or noisy panting, thick drooling, red gums and tongue, weakness, confusion, vomiting or diarrhea, muscle spasms, seizures and collapse.

Cool first, transport second. The RSPCA's advice is to stop exercise, get the dog into shade, pour water that is cooler than the dog over its neck, belly and thighs (not its head), fan it, and then take it to the nearest vet in a cool, ventilated car, calling ahead. Do not lay wet towels over a dog, as they can trap heat. Never leave a dog in a parked car on a warm day.

Common hazards at home

• Sugar free gum, sweets, some peanut butters and baked goods can contain xylitol, which can cause dangerously low blood sugar in dogs (details).
• Chocolate and cocoa products, especially baking chocolate and cocoa powder (chocolate dose estimator).
• Bins containing bones, corn cobs, fruit pits or grapes; the AKC warns that cobs, pits and cooked poultry bones can cause blockages or injuries.
• Raw bread dough, which can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol, according to the ASPCA.