Have you been thinking about getting a puppy or even an older dog from one of your local shelters? Are you doing research on what you'll need to do in order to bring a furry friend into your home? If you've never owned a dog of your own, you may have many misconceptions regarding what is a good level of care and what could be considered to be neglect. While some of these things may be common sense, you might be surprised that others are actually a misconception. Some things that may be incorrectly assuming about dogs include:

Vets are only for emergencies: Just as humans need regular checkups by their doctor in order to ensure that they are healthy, proper dog care also requires visiting a dog doctor (veterinarian) to confirm health. For most dogs, this simply means an annual physical performed by a veterinarian along with preventative measures like vaccines and heartworm medication. But if the vet identifies a health issue or a potential health issue, you might need more frequent vet visits and/or medication to treat a condition. With proper health care, most dogs can provide love and affection for many years to come.

Dogs can eat anything: It's not uncommon to find people who think that dogs can survive on scraps, bones, and other human foods with random kibble thrown into the mix. This is not good dog care. If you, as a human, were to only eat hot dogs and french fries, you'd develop multiple health issues over time. Similar things happen when a dog is fed a poor-quality diet. In addition, bones can be immediately harmful as they may splinter into sharp needles when chewed on, and these needle-shaped fragments can then go on to perforate a dog's digestive tract. This is especially true of cooked poultry bones, such as chicken and turkey. For healthy treat and food options, consult with your dog's vet for more information.

Dogs can live outside all of the time: While true that most dogs love staying outside and may even refuse to come inside when called, this typically isn't the healthiest option for them. Dogs who spend most of their time outside may be anti-social and aggressive as a result of a lack of exposure to humans, downgrading their status to mere lawn ornament instead of a pet. It's also poor dog care because of the potential for exposure to ticks, diseases, and the potential to escape and get hit by a car. If a dog starts tearing up the inside of your home, it may simply need to be walked more frequently or need more mental stimulation; a good veterinarian can help you to come up with enrichment ideas beyond simply banishing your canine companion to the backyard.  

In order to provide the best dog care for your four-legged friend, make sure that he or she gets regular checkups, a healthy diet, and enough love and attention inside the house. This will promote an all-around happy and healthy pet that will live to a ripe old age.