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Q:
How good is a dog's sense of sight?
A:
Dogs are naturally farsighted, with a larger field of vision than
humans (people can only see about 100 degrees at a time, while a
dog's field of vision extends between 200 and 270 degrees). Additionally,
they are colorblind (only perceiving shades of grey); and see better
in dim light than humans can, thanks to a reflective layer at the
back of the eyes -- a holdover from when dogs were more nocturnally
active.
Q:
How good is a dog's sense of smell?
A:
In dogs, the nose may indeed be their most highly refined sensory
organ. It's definitely more capable than that of most mammals: it
can detect substances in extremely small concentrations, such as
human sweat diluted a million times. Specially trained dogs can
even pinpoint the smell of specific narcotics amidst a complex mixture
of scents. And rescue dogs have been known to find avalanche victims
by scent, locating people buried under as much as 5 meters of snow.
Q:
How good is a dog's sense of hearing?
A:
Dogs can hear sounds that humans cannot. The human ear registers
sounds from about 16 to 20,000 Hertz (sound waves per second), but
a dog can hear sounds from about 70 to 100,000 Hertz. So-called
silent dog whistles, for instance, make sounds that are just too
high in the frequency range for us to hear -- but at about 30,000
Hertz, is easily identifiable by trained hunting dogs from as many
as 500 yards away.
Q:
How often should I bathe my dog?
A:
Brushing, combing, and grooming your dog regularly will keep your
dog healthy and presentable. But contrary to your instincts, beware
of giving him frequent baths. The skin and fur of dogs have a natural
fatty substance that gives protection from the elements. Bathe your
dog too often, and you'll end up stripping him of this needed protection
-- while softening his fur and making it less able to repel dirt.
In fact, young puppies probably shouldn't be bathed at all. Dogs
four months old up to adult should be bathed only when absolutely
necessary. And adult dogs, preferably no more than twice a year.
Q:
How should I clean my dog?
A:
In instances where you've been brushing, combing, and grooming regularly,
but your dog has still picked up a little dirt, all you need to
do is stand him in a plastic tub and rinse his legs and tummy off
with just lukewarm water (don't use soap). If he's really been rolling
in filth and is smelling particularly "doggy," then give in and
give him a real bath. The water should be at about 95 degrees F
(35 degrees C), and be sure to use only shampoo specially formulated
for dogs. IMPORTANT: make sure to thoroughly rub down your dog with
a towel or use a hair dryer until he is completely dry. Otherwise,
he could catch a cold or even pneumonia.
Q:
Can I feed meat to my dog?
A:
Meat is a natural part of a dog's diet -- canines are direct descendents
of predators, after all. But there are two precautions you must
take. First, DO NOT feed him raw meat. It should be cooked to guard
against Salmonella, Aujeszky's disease and parasites. Also, be careful
how much meat you feed him. For optimal health, use meat only as
an additive to a complete diet, comprising no more than 10% of the
total food served.
Q:
Can I give my dog a bone to chew on?
A:
That's probably not a good idea. Some bones can splinter, or be
broken into particles which may damage your dog's mouth or cause
bowel impaction. Instead, give your dog baked biscuits: they help
puppies get rid of their baby teeth, relieve their urge to chew,
and help reduce the formation of tartar.
Q:
Does my dog need vitamin and mineral supplements?
A:
If you're already feeding your dog foods that are nutritionally
balanced, vitamin and mineral supplements are unnecessary. Additionally,
an excess or imbalance of vitamins and minerals can be dangerous
to your dog's health. Use supplements only on the recommendation
of a veterinarian.
Q:
What kind of bowl should my dog be eating from?
A:
That depends on your dog's physical traits. Puppies and short-nosed
dogs eat most comfortably from a shallow dish. For long-nosed dogs,
a deep bowl would be the best choice. And for long-eared dogs, steep-sided
dishes are essential -- they keep his ears from falling into the
food or water. Also, make sure that whichever bowl you select is
made of a "chew-proof" material. You don't want your dog to break
it and swallow the pieces.
Q:
What can I do if my dog is vomiting?
A:
Unlike in humans, vomiting in dogs sometimes doesn't mean anything
-- dogs vomit often, especially after eating grass (which they love
to do). But it can also be caused by a sudden change in diet. So
if you're changing your dog's food, do so by gradually substituting
the old with the new over a two week period. If vomiting is persistent
(and especially if it contains blood), see a veterinarian.
Q:
What can I do if my dog is constipated?
A:
This can be caused by poor diet, lack of water with diet, chewing
on bones, reduced activity, or general slowing down in older dogs.
Feeding him liver may help, or a small dose of milk of magnesia
-- but don't overdo it, or you may cause diarrhea. If constipation
continues, or if your dog appears to be in pain or shows other symptoms,
consult your veterinarian at once.
Q:
What can I do if my dog has diarrhea?
A:
This often occurs as a result of adding rich gravies, fats, milk,
or eggs to the dog's food; so if you have been adding any of the
above, discontinue. Or it may just be intestinal upset caused by
a change in diet (see above entry on Vomiting), a change in drinking
water (such as when traveling), nervousness or fright. To treat
a slight case of diarrhea, withhold food for a day and give an antidiarrheal
compound (such as Kaopectate), in a dose and frequency suggested
by your veterinarian. If the symptom persists, and especially if
it contains blood, bring it to your veterinarian's attention immediately.
It could indicate a serious health condition.
Q:
What can I do if my dog has flatulence?
A:
Contrary to expectations, this is not always caused by indigestion.
It could be the result of feeding your dog an excess of meat or
eggs. If so, cut down on these foods, and keep your dog on a complete
and balanced diet. Your veterinarian may be able to provide additional
suggestions.
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