There are lots of pets out there that a person can pick from. You could pick a cat, dog, rat, chinchilla, fish, lizard or snake. However, if you want unconditional love, get a dog. If you are among the people who love dogs, this fr8pals article will provide some valuable information about how to properly care for the pet you have chosen to adopt.

If you are looking for a great family pet, but are on a budget, consider rescuing an animal.You can get one at a local shelter for minimal costs and the dog will come with a clean bill of health and all his shots. If you are interested in a specific breed, contact a rescue group specializing in only those pooches.

If you are planning to take your dog on an extended car-ride, talk to your vet about motion sickness medication first. Avoid feeding him before setting out to prevent queasiness and vomiting and make sure you buy him bottled water if you are traveling to any destination that is known to have issues with water quality.

Look into the flea treatments. Some treatments contain dangerous ingredients that may put your kids at risk for diseases like cancer. Ask your vet for recommendations. Be sure to keep children away while you're applying any flea treatment.

If your dog is still getting used to the grooming process, only work with him or her in short bursts. Groom for about five minutes and then stop and move on to another activity. Eventually, start adding on two or three minutes to your total grooming time until your pet is able to handle a full session.

Never give your dog milk! It's not necessary for his body and he doesn't have the proper enzymes to digest it anyway. Feeding your dog cow's milk can lead to chronic diarrhea and leave him with an upset stomach, among other health problems. Stick with plain old water for a healthy and hydrated dog.

If your dog is a digger, make sure to protect him and your garden. Some plants are poisonous to dogs, not to mention the damage those paws can do to your prized flowers and produce. Put up an appropriately sized fence to keep him out or consider using an electric one.

If you are considering a dog but aren't sure, why not trying providing a good foster home for a dog? A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. Fostering is a good way to do a good deed and determine if you want a dog of your own.

To protect your dog in the event he is lost or stolen, have a microchip surgically implanted by your vet. These handy chips store data that can be retrieved by a shelter or animal officer and used to contact you. They are painless to put in and offer peace of mind for the pet lover!

Timing is key when bringing your dog home. Try to introduce him to his new home over the weekend or when you have a couple of days off. Take the time to get to know one other - this will make him feel much more comfortable when he has to spend time in the home alone. Also, if you have children, make sure that they don't overwhelm him at first. If you have other pets in the house, be extra cautious when introducing the new arrival.

Taking care of a dog is no small task, but you're now equipped with the right pets-health information to take care of him correctly. Continue learning and reading about dogs. It is important to be the best dog owner you can if you decide to adopt a pet.