A homestead without animals is entirely possible but raising some on your property is definitely something you should strive for. It’s no easy task to take care of animals but it’s definitely rewarding to have them around. We’re not just talking chickens or quails or goats here. You should definitely consider getting a pet dog. Like the other domesticated animals, you have to know everything you need to know about caring for homestead dogs.
It’s actually quite common for farms or homesteads to have dogs. You often see dogs helping out on the farm. They protect farm animals from predators, herd sheep or cattle, and help locate lost animals. Homestead dogs also protect you and the property from threats.
Dogs also warn and protect you against aliens or at least that’s what they would do as in movies like E.T. and Signs. Perhaps the most important benefit of having a dog at the homestead is its company. It’s always great to have a furry friend to keep everyone happy.
Like every member of the family and other animals on the farm, you should keep homestead dogs healthy.
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Healthy Food for Your Homestead Dogs
Homestead dogs are pretty active since they are usually left to roam around the property. These canines are also farmers’ little helper. They help herd sheep and cattle, get rid of rodents, guard farm animals from preys, and protect your property.
Like us hoomans, dogs need to eat healthy food to live a healthy life. For these hardworking farm dogs to keep up, they need to be fed right. According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, some of the healthiest foods for dogs are bone broth, raw goat milk, organ meats, mushrooms, eggs, coconut oil, Omega-3 oils, kelp, and fermented foods.
As for dog foods, there are tons of brands in the market right now. We have dry kibbles, wet canned, and other variations. Dog food is not that tempting to us humans but they’re pretty nutritious. In fact, pet food maker Mitch Feiderhoff only ate holistic dog food for an entire month to prove that his products are some of the healthiest dog foods around. Feiderhoff lost 30 pounds while his blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol level all went down. It’s an impressive feat but unlikely to catch on with the human population.
Orijen Biologically Appropriate Dog Food is the best dog food overall, according to Business Insider. The company makes different kinds of dog food that caters to different biological needs of each canine. They also use fresh and raw animal ingredients such as cage-free eggs, free-run chicken, and fish caught in the wild.
Canidae All Life Stages Premium Dry Dog Food also tops Business Insider’s list of the best dog foods of 2020. This one is made of multi-protein formula that is suited for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. It’s also formulated for all sizes and breeds.
(Related: How to Prepare Dogs For Disasters)
Do Regular Visits to the Vet
Your best move to help keep homestead dogs healthy is to have a veterinarian see them regularly. These dog doctors know what’s best for your pet so it’s best to consult them always.
Whenever you need to pay the vet a visit, make sure to put your dog in a harness. He may be well-behaved but you can never be too sure. There may be times that your dog may get agitated. You’ll be glad you have a harness this happens.
The Rabbitgoo Dog Harness comes with four adjustable straps that fit perfectly and comfortably on your dog. The hassle-free overhead harness uses fast-release buckles to make it easier to attach to your dog.
Deworm Regularly
Dogs have this habit of putting anything in their mouths. They love to lick, bite and gobble stuff. The problem is that some or most of the things that come in contact with their mouth is dirty and may even contain parasites. Keep your homestead dogs healthy by regularly deworming them.
Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer will help you keep your homestead dogs healthy from roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. Each purchase comes with three pouches of dewormer that are enough for a three-day treatment.
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Ensure Proper Grooming and Hygiene
Part of being healthy is being clean. Give your dog a bath once every two weeks or whenever he gets really dirty, which should be often considering he’s free to play anywhere. Regular baths and proper grooming will keep him from smelling bad and from being infested by fleas. You can also check him for allergies, skin issues, and wounds while giving him a thorough bath. Here are some tips on how to bathe your dog.
The FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo is one item you should consider getting for your dog, particularly if he’s shedding a lot. This dog shampoo helps keep the skin and coat healthy thanks to its nutritious ingredients including papaya leaf extract, calendula extract, and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Cutting the nails should be part of your homestead dog’s grooming routine. This will help prevent them from accidentally scratching or injuring other farm animals. The Boshel Dog Nail Clipper comes with safety stop blade to keep you from hurting your dog. The 3.55 mm thick blade is made of durable stainless steel.
Invest on a good grooming brush. With a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from almost 18,000 costumers, the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush has a good grasp on the title of best grooming brush around. This slicker brush gets rid of loose hair, dirt, and dander. Once you’re done with brushing, you only need to flip a switch for the bristles to retract and make it easier to clean up.
You also need to clean his surroundings. No matter how cute your dog is, poop is still poop. Dog poo is a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria such as salmonella and E coli. Clean up after him so you and your dog are safe from illness. Plus, you don’t want to be smelling dog poo and pee all day and all night.
Make Your Home Safe for Dogs
Sometimes or most of the times dogs get too excited or playful. When they’re in that zone, they might just miss that huge hole on the floor or that rake lying on the ground. You need to keep your home safe for dogs and humans alike.
Do the necessary repairs around the homestead. Make sure all your things, especially sharp tools, are in their proper places so they won’t cause any accident.
In case they do get hurt, you may want to have a pet recovery collar or cone to help your homestead dog as he recovers. The Comfy Cone Pet Recovery Collar from All Four Paws is designed with comfort in mind. The patented soft recovery cone is made of foam and nylon, which provides dogs with ultimate comfort despite their condition.
A piece of Velcro keeps the cone together while a sheet of removable plastic provides structure when necessary. It’s also waterproof and easy to clean.
(Related: Top Pet Emergency Kit Items)
Avoid Chemicals
Despite the rise in organic farming, there are still farmers that use pesticides and other toxic chemicals on their crops and land. If you’re one of these farmers, now is the perfect time to stop and look for better and more earth-friendly alternatives.
Instead of using chemical fertilizers, you can opt for compost. It has a number of advantages. One, it’s great for the environment. Synthetic fertilizers can cause pollution. They contain phosphorus that gets into bodies of water often resulting to an increase of algae. This increase causes oxygen depletion which kills the fish and causes respiratory issues in humans. Nitrates that leach into groundwater can also be dangerous to humans and animals. If you let these things happen, homestead dogs and other animals face the possibility of drinking poisoned water.
Composting is also good for the soil. Organisms in the compost aerate the soil making it more suitable for planting. Also, kitchen and yard waste are greatly reduced.
It’s pretty easy to shift to composting. In fact, you can do composting in an apartment in the city. You just need the right materials and a bit of patience. The right materials include kitchen scraps, grass, and leaves along with other biodegradable items such as brown paper bags, coffee filters, egg shells, and wood ash.
You also need a compost bin where you’ll throw all your materials in to let them undergo the process of composting. This is where patience comes in. It takes about three months for the raw materials to decompose and become compost. A rewarding three months considering you’re getting organic fertilizer and making sure your pets are safe.
For your composter, you can go with something like the FCMP Outdoor IM4000 37 Gallon Tumbling Composter. It has this unique 8-side design with dual chambers that let you compost continuously.
During times when you’re in a hurry and can’t go out to dump kitchen scraps into your large composter, use a small compost bin for the meantime.
The Epica 1.3 Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Bin is the epitome of form and function. It comes in a simple yet stylish design and, more importantly, great for composting. Just place it anywhere near the kitchen counter so you can easily throw the scraps in and keep your work surface clean. Its airtight lid and charcoal filter make sure none of the unpleasant smell seeps out.
It’s a good time to be a pet lover right now. Even better if you’re a proud owner of homestead dogs. That’s because Amazon is currently offering exciting deals on pet supplies. You can find lots of interesting items on sale that your furry friends will definitely love. Check out Gentleman Pirate as well to see more useful tips on caring for animals at the homestead.
