What is more fun that having a dog? So many dog owners know the special happiness that comes from having a canine in their lives. If you’re one of the people who know what it’s like to have a dog, you want to do your best to make sure he’s with you a long time. Here are some tips to help make sure of that.

When you have medications of any sort, keep them where your dog cannot get to it. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog’s health and even cause death. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

If your vet gives you medication to take home and administer to your dog, be sure and ask for ideas on getting him to swallow it. Dogs differ in their tolerance of pills and badly-flavored liquids, so have a few tricks up your sleeve in case he resists. Getting a dog to take medicine is important, but often challenging.

Dogs love to eat grass and other plants. When you’re outside, this may not be much of a problem, but if you maintain houseplants indoors, chances are they are poisonous to dogs. Before bringing a dog into the home, make sure all your houseplants are well out of reach of a dog who may be tempted by a green tasty treat.

Be careful around Christmas time with a dog in your home; it’s the busiest time of year at 24/7 animal clinics! Things like hanging and tree lights pose a danger to your dog, as they could become tangled or gnaw their way down to raw wires. The loveliest of Christmas plants are also hazardous to a dog’s health, so take extra care during holidays.

If you do your best to care for your dog’s health and happiness, you can enjoy your dog friend for years to come. Take the tips in this article, and use them in your life. You will discover that you can take care of your dog well and be happy in the process.