Dog Care Tips - Big Y® World Class Market®

Garlic. Known as an ancient remedy of repelling fleas, garlic also helps those dogs who tend to "wolf" down their food. By dropping a few tabs in your pooch's food, your dog will hesitate before inhaling dinner.

Nonfat yogurt. Does your pooch have gas? Try a few teaspoons of nonfat yogurt with dinner. Frozen nonfat yogurt combined with carob and vanilla makes a sweet dessert snack on a warm, summer day.

Fresh water. Fresh air. Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water at all times. Your dog also needs to breathe clean, unpolluted air. When was the last time you went on a hike with your pooch?

Metal and ceramic bowls. Plastic bowls are a huge no-no, especially on hot summer days (chemical leaching). To play it safe, feed and provide water in clean ceramic bowls.

Check out what your dog is eating. Before you pick up that can of dog food, check out to see what your dog is really eating. What's the first product listed on the label? Is it meat? Or how about meat-by-products? A product listed on the label? Is it meat? Or how about meat-by-products. Ick.

Vegetables. When is the last item your hound had a carrot, apple, banana or orange? Try it. Your pooch just might like it.

Massage. Do your pooch a favor and give him or her a five-minute message. It will help those tired hips and paws. And don't forget to look for any signs of abnormalities such as a bump or sore.

No table scraps. Is your dog fat? Do you feed it food that you know you shouldn't? Then don't. You are doing more harm than good every time you feed your dog food that wasn't meant to be part of his or her diet.

Let your pooch sleep inside. Dogs are pack animals and do best by being with you. Having your dog outside is fine, but only on occasion. Bring your dog inside, especially when you sleep for a happier, well-adjusted, healthier dog.

Identification. Make sure your dog has proper identification to ensure they are returned to you should they get loose. Many animals are lost every year due to lack of identification.