How To Take Good Care Of A Stray Dog

Have you adopted a stray dog that looked undernourished? Here's how to take the dog under your wing and nurse it back to health.

First, take the dog to a veterinarian. If the dog is reasonably healthy, have the veterinarian give him a Rabies vaccine. Never allow your veterinarian to give a vaccine to a sick animal or give several vaccines at the same time. Your veterinarian will examine the dog, check for parasites, and give medication if necessary. They will also check for infections, old injuries, and examine the condition of the dog's teeth. You will also find out if it is safe to handle the dog.

If the stray dog is very nervous or even slightly aggressive, get a closed-end muzzle for the dog. Then, brush or comb the dog to remove any parasites, preferably outdoors. If the veterinarian administers a spot-on treatment, don’t bathe the dog for at least 48 hours. To remove ticks, have the following ready: rubbing alcohol, tweezers, and paper towels. Settle the pup down and rub the alcohol on the ticks, then start plucking those nasty ticks off him. Be sure to dig the entire head of the tick out as well, because the tick may still survive. If the bites start to bleed, apply pressure on them with a paper towel. The bleeding will stop shortly. The dog may whine or wiggle if you hurt it, so soothe the animal by speaking softly and petting it.

A stray and neglected dog is almost always a hungry dog. When you take the animal to the vet, ask what kind of feeding schedule you should set up. Why? If the dog has a distended belly, and you over-feed it, you could twist its intestines and kill the poor animal. A hungry animal will devour a bucket full of food in a matter of minutes, so only set out small amounts every few hours. Be sure to provide the animal with clean, cold water as well.

After such a busy day–a change in environment, a trip to the vet, grooming, and a nice meal, allow the stray dog to catch up on some sleep. Humans need sleep to function properly and dogs are no different. Provide a soft blanket in a quiet corner and leave the animal alone to rest.

A stray dog has always been neglected; it searches for a loving and responsible pack. Make it feel loved and let it know that you will care for his future needs.
A stray dog loves it when you play with it. They also like it when you scratch them, it's like you're telling them, "you're safe with me", and so the dog will feel closer to you. You could also hug them and make them feel at home. But make sure the dog is clean and free from diseases because you might catch it yourself.

Always keep in mind that if you already have a dog, make sure your dog isn't in contact with the one you adopted until it has its set of vaccinations, and its behaviour is stable.