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Cats | Dogs
Dogs
Where can I find a good dog for our family? Many loving dogs are available for adoption through the humane society and local rescue organizations. Also, there are many organizations which rescue specific breeds. Please contact one of the following shelters for more information:
BayPath Humane Society Hopkinton 508-435-6938
Buddy Dog Humane Society Sudbury 978-443-6990
Framingham Animal Control Framingham 508-620-4870
MetroWest Humane Society Ashland 508-875-3776
Metheun ASPCA 978-687-9483
Save A Dog 508-877-1407
Greyhound Friends 508-435-5969
Penny's Shelter Berlin 978-838-2328 pennysshelter@aol.com
Pet World Natick 508-653-9221
House Rabbits 781-665-9962
This is a partial list of local humane societies and organizations who provide animals for adoption. There are many more in Massachusetts but space does not allow it to be printed in it's entirety. More shelters can be viewed at www.petfinders.com.
What should I feed my dog? Dogs should be fed a high quality, commercially available diet. Puppies should be fed a high quality puppy formula until they reach 80% of their adult weight. At that time they may be slowly switched over to a comparable adult food. Do not feed your dog "people food" or meat bones. Be sure to monitor your dog's diet as obesity is a common problem in pet dogs and can lead to serious health problems.
How often should I change my dog's water? Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Bowls should be cleaned daily with warm water and soap and rinsed thoroughly.
How frequently should I groom my dog? Dogs can be washed up to twice a month using a mild, hypo-allergenic shampoo. Be careful not to over-shampoo your dog. This can strip the natural oils in the dog's coat, causing irritation to the skin. Flea shampoos can cause problems for some dogs and should be used with caution. Puppies over 8 weeks old can be bathed with mild shampoos which are specifically labeled for use on puppies. Also, brushing to remove excessive hair and prevent matting should be done on a regular basis. Large mats are painful and can lead to many serious skin problems.
Is it OK to give my dog toys? Keep your dog happy by supplying plenty of toys. Puppies explore their world by chewing. Make certain that your puppy always has a variety of soft, appropriate toys.
How should I train my dog? All puppies should go to training classes for obedience and proper socialization. Dogs of all ages can benefit from obedience classes.
How frequently should my dog receive vaccinations? Puppies require a series of vaccines starting between 6 to 8 weeks of age. Once the series is completed, adult dogs receive regular vaccine inoculations as directed by their veterinarian. Heartworm disease is a serious issue in our area. Heartworm preventative can be administered using one of the following protocols: Preventative administered all year long - blood test once every 2 years. Preventative administered during the heartworm season only (April - December) - blood test every spring prior to initiation of the protocol.
What are the FAH recommendations regarding spaying and neutering? All dogs should be spayed or neutered between 6 to 8 months of age unless they are being bred or shown. Breast cancer is extremely common in un-spayed female dogs. Spaying your dog before her first heat will decrease her risk of developing breast cancer by 99%. Intact male dogs have a high incidence of developing prostatic problems and testicular tumors, some of which are malignant.
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