There are so many different dog foods available that it is very hard to decide which is best for your dog or puppy. Some people say one brand is best, while others claim home made dog food is the only way to ensure your dog gets the best quality. There is also the raw food diet, which seems to really help dogs with constipation, as well as other problems.

Then what about vitamins, minerals and supplements? If you choose regular dog food, should you get dry or canned? The questions are almost endless.

Basically, start your dog on a high quality dog food (dry or canned, or home made) and watch to see how your dog does. A good indication is the health of your dog; how clear his eyes are, how shiny his coat is and how much energy he has.

A dog’s diet should include a combination of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. If it does, then your dog’s needs for growth, tissue repair and exercise will be met.
To ensure your dog gets good nutrition, here are some tips to follow:

1. Ensure your dog always has fresh, clean water.

2. Avoid feeding your dog scraps from the dinner table. This can cause your dog to gain too much weight.

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Are you planning to get a dog soon? Maybe you already have one picked out and will bringing him or her home in a few days. Before you do bring it home, make sure you have a few basic things on hand, including:

1. A good, high quality food for your dog. If you are getting a puppy, make sure the food you have is appropriate for puppies. Talk to the pet store or veterinarian about the most appropriate food for your dog. I highly recommend you don't get the food at a grocery store. The good food is available at pet shops.

2. A leash for walking your dog. Once your dog is off your property, you should always have it on a leash. Since you want your dog to walk beside you, don't get one of those leashes that lets the dog wander off. A short leash is best.

3. A collar and ID tag. Your dog must always have its ID tag on its dog collar. The tag will contain your phone number in case your dog ever gets lost.

4. Two dog bowls – one for water and one for food. Make sure you clean these regularly.

5. Kennel. I hope you will let your dog be inside with you. But if you have to put your dog outside at times, be sure to have a warm shelter available to keep your dog comfortable.

6. Bedding for your dog to sleep in. These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be bought from the pet store or you can make up a comfortable place with old blankets and cushions for your dog to sleep on. A crate is useful for puppy training and to sleep in.

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There are a few things you need to know about dog care if your dog is going to have a good chance of living a long and healthy life. Your dog doesn't need as much care as a baby or small child, but he or she does need your attention and regular care.

Depending on the dog breed you own, your dog might require more attention than other breeds. But basically, every breed enjoys human company and does not require an enormous amount of time to take care of their basic needs.

Identity Tag and Vaccinations

When you first bring your new dog or puppy home, get an identity tag for him or her. If your dog has a tag with your phone number on it, you will be much more likely to get your dog back if it should ever get lost.

Check what vaccinations your local laws require take your dog to the veterinarian for shots and health check-ups on a regular basis. Seriously consider getting the Parvo vaccination if you have a puppy or older dog. Parvo seems to be under control sometimes and then suddenly there is an outbreak. Better to be safe and get the shot.

Dog Food and Fresh Water
Fresh water is extremely important for your dog, especially when it is hot. Be sure your dog has water available at all times.

Your dog also needs a healthy diet. No sugar, chocolate, grapes, or any other food item that is dangerous to a dog's health. Instead feed him or her a healthy dog food that your vet recommends.

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Internal parasites (Endoparasite) can strike any dog, whether the dog appears to be clean and/or if it is from a seemingly 'well-to-do home'.

Roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) are rather like pale earthworms and can reach approximately 10cm in length. They are pointed at both ends. Signs of presence in a dog are: mild vomiting, pot-bellied, dull coat, either sudden weight gain or weight loss. A puppy might cough or hiccup. A presence of worms will be seen wrapped around the stools passed.

The Life Cycle of the Toxocara canis starts with the bitch eating contaminated feces. The larvae migrate to various parts of the body- mammary glands, uterus, and remain in the intestine. Puppies feed off the bitch and the larvae enter their system, growing into an adult within two weeks. The adult worms lay eggs which hatch into larvae and burrow through the gut wall to the liver and lungs, causing respiratory problems.

Some lay dormant while others are coughed up and swallowed thus traveling down into the intestine where they grow into adult worms and lay thousands of eggs. These eggs are passed out of the dog where they lay waiting for a passer-by to eat the feces enabling the cycle to start over.

The Life Cycle of the Toxascaris leonina starts with the eggs being ingested, and hatching in the stomach. They do not migrate, but develop in the wall of the intestine, therefore infection to a bitch's puppies does not occur.

It is therefore advisable that pregnant bitches should be wormed under the vet's supervision; puppies should be routinely wormed after the age of two weeks. Adult dogs should be wormed every six months, every three months is wise if there are young children in the household.

Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) are flat, segmented and can be up to 50cm long. They are not normally seen as a complete worm, but the individual segments loaded with ripe eggs.

Signs of presence in a dog, is that the abdomen may become distorted, but the most common sign is the presence of rice-like grains around the anus. These worms can also be seen moving in the dog's feces. They can cause diarrhea and poor growth development in puppies.

The Life Cycle of Dipylidium caninum starts when a dog swallows a flea, which has itself, swallowed an embryonated worm. The larvae develop into adult worms in the small intestine. Specific worming remedies for this type of worm are obtained from a vet. Also ensure that the dog is regularly checked for fleas.

Ticks (Ixodes species) are brownish-white and can be initially mistaken for a wart, but on closer inspection the legs can be seen, while the head is buried in the epidermis. Having gorged on the dog's blood it grows to the size of a bean or pea.

Signs of presence may only be when a dog has an allergic reaction to them and due to scratching, red sore areas appear. Normally a dog will tolerate one or two ticks without showing any signs of irritation and they will only be noticed during grooming.

The Life Cycle of Ixodes species starts with adult ticks laying eggs that drop on the ground. Larvae hatch and climb on to blades of grass, shrubs, etc., where they wait for a passer by to brush past, thus enabling them to attach themselves on to the hair of the dog.

Surgical spirit soaked onto the tick suffocates it, thus loosening its grip. It can then be removed with tweezers. Never attempt to pull the tick off without soaking it first, as the head will remain and cause infection. Treat the area with insecticide. A special dip/shampoo can be obtained from the vet if infestation is severe.