Things You Should Know About Dog Part 11

All canids are hunters. Dogs, both wild and domestic, have a natural instict to look for creatures to chase, kill and eat. Animals that hunt other animals are called "predators" and the animals they hunt are called "prey". BOth dogs and cats are predators, but dogs (unlike cats) rarely live on a diet of meat aone and may eat fruit and insects too.

Pet dogs do not need to hunt for their food. Dogs owners give their pets reguler meals - usually cooked meat and biscuits with added vitamins and minerals. Dogs are pften given small treats to reward them for good behaviour, but these should only be given as part of their training, as they are not part of a healthy diet.

Many dogs enjoy chewing beef bones and this helps to keep their teeth clean and their gums healthy. Bones can break and splinters, however, so pet dogs should only be allowed to chew bones for a short while. It is better if they chew on special toys that are designed to massage their gums. These can be made of meat, biscuit, rubber, nylon or braid.

Chocolate is dangerous to dogs. Although many dogs like the taste of chocolate they shouldn't be allowed to eat it, because even a tiny amount is enough to poison a small dog. Dog treats will normally contain very little chocolate, or none at all.

Dogs can suffer from gum disease and bad breath just like people! Dog owners can brush their pets' teeth to help keep them clean and avoid decay. You shouldn't use human toothpaste on a dog's teeth as it contains fluoride, which can poison a dog, but you can buy special toothpaste for dog's mouth regularly, looking for bad and broken teeth or swollen gums and lips.