Dog Care Basics
A dogs basic needs include food, water, shelter, exercise, grooming and microchipping (which is a legal requirement in Ireland). Responsible pet ownership, along with catering for the dogs basic physical needs also includes looking after their safety, health and mental wellbeing
All dog owners should register their pet with a veterinary clinic.
In the event of your pet becoming ill or injured unexpectedly, this will mean you are better prepared.
In addition, dogs require routine vaccinations and health checks to protect them from disease and identify potential health concerns early.
You should also consider taking out pet insurance to cover your dog in the event that he/she needs veterinary treatment.
Vaccinations
Vaccinating your dog will help prevent avoidable diseases, such as, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis in your pet.
Some of these diseases can be fatal.
For dogs who are frequently in contact with other dogs, e.g. at doggy daycares or while staying at boarding kennels, vaccination against kennel cough is recommended and generally required by the service provider.
Ensuring that your dog receives his/her annual boosters will also give your vet a chance to assess your dogs’ overall health.
Neutering
Neutering is a surgical procedure which involves removal of the reproductive organs in male or female dogs
Neutering not only prevents unwanted litters but also removes any health issues relating to pregnancy and the reproductive organs, including life threatening infections. Neutering may also reduce the risk of some cancers.
Neutering can help to save money by avoiding the costs of unplanned pregnancies and raising puppies. It can also prevent certain illnesses, reducing the risk of large vet bills in the future.
Benefits of Neutering/Spaying your female dog:
- Female dogs usually come into season for about 3 weeks twice a year. Around this time, they will normally produce a bloody discharge and can get pregnant.
- Their behaviour may change when in season, they might roam in search of a mate and will need careful management around other dogs, especially unneutered males.
- Unneutered female dogs can suffer from phantom pregnancies, which can cause both health and behavioural problems
- Pregnancy and giving birth can lead to complications that could pose a health risk
- Unneutered female dogs are at a higher risk of developing mammary tumours
- Neutering removes any health risks associated with the reproductive organs, such as pyometra ( womb infection ). It may also reduce the risk of some cancers that can be very expensive to treat and are potentially fatal.
Benefits of Neutering your male dog:
- Neutering your male dog may help to prevent or reduce testosterone related behaviours such as mounting and scent marking. While neutering can reduce these undesirable behaviours, other factors may also play a role in the development of behaviours like anxiety or frustration. Learnt aspects mean some behaviours may continue after neutering. If your dog is showing behavioural issues or undesirable behaviour you should seek guidance from your vet, who may refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist for support.
- Neutering also reduces or removes the risk of certain cancers and reduces the risk of hormonally driven prostatic and peri anal diseases. These conditions can be costly to treat and may be life threatening
- Unneutered male dogs can sense a local female dog in season and their behaviour may change accordingly. This can be difficult to manage and can lead to straying/roaming in search of a mate along with some behavioural problems
Control of Parasites:
Almost all dogs become infected with parasites such as, worms, fleas or ticks at some point in their life. Treatment and prevention of these parasites is an important part of safeguarding your pets health.
Some are also zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans, so there is also a human health concern. Although most dogs recover well after treatment, worm infestation in puppies can cause serious illness if left unchecked.
Treatments can be in the form of liquid or a tablet which are ingested or by applying a ‘spot-on’ to the skin on the back of your dogs neck.
The frequency and type of treatment recommended will depend on your pets age and lifestyle.
Your vet will advise you on an appropriate parasite control program for your dog
Food and Nutrition
In general, dog foods can be divided into the following categories:
- complete dry foods (sometimes referred to as kibble)
- wet or tinned food
- raw food
- home produced or fresh diets
- prescription diets (can be prescribed by your vet when necessary)
You should choose the option, or mix of options, that best suits your dog and lifestyle while taking your dogs’ life stage and breed into account.
For all food types you should ensure your dog is eating enough and maintaining a healthy weight.
Your vet can advise on an appropriate feeding program for your dog
Exercise and Environmental enrichment
Exercise is a vital part of keeping your dog happy and healthy. This can include activities like going for walks, swimming or play. The amount and type of exercise will depend on your dog’s age, breed and if there are any health considerations.
For instance, simply playing is generally enough exercise for young pups and is also beneficial for their development whereas an adult dog would likely benefit from daily walks.
Your vet can advise further on your pet’s specific exercise requirements, especially if there are any underlying health considerations.
While physical activity is important, dogs also need enrichment and mental stimulation.
Enrichment is about improving your pets’ quality of life and is just as important as physical activity. There are many ways to provide enrichment for your dog including the use of toys or using interactive feeders. Doing some simple training with your dog can also keep them mentally engaged.
Legal Requirements
Microchipping
Microchipping is a legal requirement in Ireland. Dogs should be microchipped by the time they are 12 weeks old or by the time they leave their place of birth. Microchipping gives you the best chance of being reunited with your pet if they go missing.
Microchipping involves placing a cylindrical chip, about the size of a grain of rice, under the dogs skin by a qualified implanter. Each chip has a unique identifying number which can be scanned using a microchip reader and matched with the owners details on a central database.
In order to comply with legislation you must ensure that:
– your dog is microchipped
– you have a Microchip Certificate
– your up-to-date details are registered to your dog on a government approved database
Dog Licence
Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 all dog owners are required to have a dog licence.
Types of dog licences and costs:
There are 3 types of dog licences
- Single dog licence costing €20/year
- General dog licence entitling a person to keep an unspecified number of dogs at a premises specified in the licence costing €400/year
- Lifetime dog licence for the duration of the dogs life costing €140
How can I pay for my dog licence?
Single and Lifetime Dog licences may be purchased online or from your local post office. All you need to do is drop into your local Post Office and buy your dog licence over the counter. The General Dog Licences (€400) will still be purchased through Wexford County Council.
- Online Dog Licence You will be asked to set up an account with Licences.ie if you don’t already have one, and will need an email address as part of the registration process. Your licence should issue to you by post within 10 working days.
If you require further assistance with your online purchase, please contact An Post by email at support@licences.ie or alternatively by ringing 1890 200090.
Other Legal Requirements
For other legal requirements in relation to dog ownership please refer to www.wexfordcoco.ie
