Introduction

Hello everyone! Today I want to share some pet care knowledge with you. As a veteran pet owner who started keeping pets in high school and continues to do so while working, I've encountered quite a few pitfalls. Seeing many novice pet parents taking unnecessary detours in their pet care journey, I wanted to share the experience I've accumulated over the years. Honestly, keeping pets isn't as difficult as you might imagine. Once you master the right methods, not only will our furry friends live happily and comfortably, but our own quality of life will improve significantly as well.

Diet Section

The most basic and important aspect of pet parenting is solving our furry friends' food and drink needs. I've noticed many new pet parents encounter a particularly troublesome issue: dogs eating too quickly and wolfing down their food. This not only leads to poor digestion but can also cause gastric torsion, especially in large breeds. After multiple attempts, I discovered a particularly effective trick - placing a tennis ball in the food bowl. This method is super simple but works exceptionally well. Because of the ball's obstruction, dogs can't bury their faces in the bowl to eat large mouthfuls, instead needing to eat around the ball, which naturally slows down their eating speed.

Speaking of this, I want to share a story about my Golden Retriever. Last year, my Golden's weight shot up to 85 pounds, almost half my own weight! Later, following our vet's advice, we started trying the green pea diet method. Specifically, we added appropriate amounts of unsalted canned green peas to his dog food. Green peas are low in calories and high in fiber, helping dogs feel full. After six months of persistence, my Golden has now slimmed down to 70 pounds, completely returning to a healthy standard. However, I must emphasize that any changes to a dog's diet should first be consulted with a professional veterinarian, as every dog's situation is different.

Another issue that many people easily overlook is dogs' water consumption. I've noticed many pet parents think just providing enough water is sufficient, but that's not the case. First, the water bowl's location is important, best placed in a ventilated area but away from direct strong light, which helps maintain an appropriate water temperature. Second, the material of the water bowl matters too - stainless steel or ceramic is best as these materials don't easily harbor bacteria. Additionally, many dogs prefer drinking running water, so if conditions allow, consider buying a water fountain.

Regarding treats, my suggestion is to limit them to within 10% of total daily calories. Many pet parents use human food as dog treats, which is actually incorrect. For example, chocolate, grapes, and onions are all toxic to dogs. In my home, we prepare specific dog treats, such as dried chicken breast, fish skin, and dried carrots. Moreover, treating needs to follow a method - I usually combine treats with training, which allows dogs to learn new skills while preventing weight gain from excessive treats.

Environment Section

Speaking of environmental hygiene, dealing with pets' "accidents" is perhaps the most headache-inducing issue. Especially when your carpet or sofa gets wet from dog urine, that smell can really drive you crazy. After countless trials and failures, I finally summarized a super practical deodorizing formula: baking soda plus white vinegar. The specific steps are as follows: first, absorb the surface moisture with paper towels or cloth, remember not to rub hard to avoid pushing the stain deeper. Then mix equal parts water and white vinegar, put it in a spray bottle and spray it on the stain. Finally, sprinkle a layer of baking soda, wait until it's completely dry, then clean it up with a vacuum cleaner. This method not only removes odors but also prevents dogs from marking the same spot again.

Summer is a particularly difficult season for furry friends, especially for breeds with thicker fur. Besides regular bathing and grooming, I also invented a particularly popular "ice cube toy." The method is simple: stuff your dog's favorite toy, like a Kong, with peanut butter or dog treats, then add appropriate amount of water and freeze it. Take it out for your dog to play with when the weather is hot, and they'll spend a long time licking and chewing it, not only having fun but also cooling down. Plus, these toys can train dogs' patience, teaching them to enjoy slowly.

Speaking of indoor environment, air quality is also very important. Many people might not know that dogs' sense of smell is tens of thousands of times more sensitive than humans', so air that smells okay to us might already be uncomfortable for them. My suggestion is to regularly open windows for ventilation, use air purifiers, and avoid using chemical air fresheners. If you want to deodorize your home, try natural methods, like placing some activated charcoal in the room, or growing some odor-absorbing plants, like pothos or aloe vera. However, be sure to check if the plants are toxic to dogs when choosing them.

Grooming Section

Speaking of fur care, this is truly a major topic. I recently discovered a particularly eco-friendly and effective pest control method: apple cider vinegar solution. The specific recipe is as follows: take 500ml of warm water, add 30ml of apple cider vinegar, and 2-3 drops of mild detergent. Put this solution in a spray bottle, and after each outdoor trip, lightly spray it on your dog's fur, especially in places where bugs tend to hide, like behind the ears, under the armpits, and at the base of the tail. This method not only effectively repels fleas and ticks but also doesn't harm your dog's skin. However, be careful to avoid spraying it into your dog's eyes and nose.

Paw care in winter is also an issue that many pet parents easily overlook. Actually, dogs' paws are like our hands, easily cracking in cold, dry weather. Especially in snowy weather, the road salt can be very harmful to dogs' paws. My approach is to apply a layer of petroleum jelly to my dog's paws before each outing, which not only prevents paw cracking but also blocks some damage from road salt to some extent. Remember to wash the paws with warm water after returning home, dry them, and apply another layer of petroleum jelly.

Speaking of care, we must mention dental care. Many pet parents think dogs don't need to brush their teeth, which is actually a big misconception. If dogs' teeth aren't cleaned regularly, they can easily develop tartar, leading to gingivitis, and in serious cases, affecting internal organs. My suggestion is to cultivate dogs' tooth-brushing habits from a young age. It might be a bit difficult at first, but dogs will quickly accept it if the method is right. My experience is to first let dogs get used to the presence of the toothbrush, treating it as a toy, and then slowly start brushing their teeth once they don't reject it. Use special dog toothpaste when brushing, as human toothpaste might be harmful to dogs.

Ear cleaning is also very important, especially for breeds with drooping ears, like Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. I usually clean my dog's ears weekly. When cleaning, use special pet ear cleaner, drop it into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear, then wipe away the dirt with cotton balls. If you notice your dog frequently shaking their head, scratching their ears, or if their ears have an odor, take them to the vet promptly, as these might be symptoms of ear mites or otitis.

Safety Section

Safety issues are truly the most important aspect of pet care. When walking dogs, I always carry a carabiner, this little thing is truly endlessly useful. When waiting for traffic lights, you can hook the leash to a lamp post, when resting at a café, you can secure the leash to a chair, it's especially convenient. Plus, carabiners have strong load-bearing capacity, so there's no need to worry even with large breeds.

Another particularly important safety tip is about finding lost dogs. Many people's first reaction when their dog runs away is to chase after them, which is actually the least advisable thing to do. Because dogs run faster than humans, the more you chase, the farther they'll run. The most effective method at this time is to lie on the ground and pretend to be injured. This method might sound incredible, but it's indeed very effective. Because dogs have an instinct to protect their owners, when they see their owner "injured," they'll often put everything aside and come back to check the situation. I've successfully recovered several "adventure-seeking" dogs using this method before.

Speaking of safety, another important point is to microchip your dog. A microchip is like a dog's ID card - once they get lost, as long as kind people send them to a pet hospital or rescue station, they can find the owner's contact information by scanning the chip. Moreover, the microchipping process is very simple, similar to getting a shot, and won't cause too much discomfort for dogs.

Home safety protection is also very important. In my home, all cleaners and detergents are placed at heights dogs can't reach, electrical wires are wrapped in tubes to prevent dogs from chewing, and trash cans have been replaced with covered ones. Because dogs are like children, full of curiosity, we must keep dangerous items out of their reach.

Conclusion

Keeping pets is truly a process of continuous learning and growth. Every dog is a unique individual with their own personality and habits. As pet parents, what we need to do is observe carefully and continuously explore the methods that best suit our own furry friends. The tips I shared today are experiences I've summarized from years of interaction with my furry friends, and I hope they can help more pet parents. Keeping pets isn't an easy thing, but as long as you put your heart into it, the joy and warmth you receive are priceless. Do you have any unique pet care experiences? Welcome to share and discuss in the comments section.