Dog care sheet
The most adaptable companion — and the one with the widest range of care needs. This is the complete dog care guide: housing, feeding, cleaning, routine, handling, life stages and the setup checklist.
On this page
Quick facts
- Typical lifespan
- 10–15 years (small breeds often longer)
- Adult size
- 4 lb (Chihuahua) to 150 lb+ (Great Dane)
- Daily exercise
- 30–120 minutes, depending on breed
- Meals per day
- 2 as adults; 3–4 for puppies under 6 months
- Social needs
- High — dogs are pack animals
Environment: 60–78°F (16–26°C). Humidity 30–60%. Natural day/night cycle. Activity: Diurnal. Diet: Omnivore (commercial complete food).
Housing & setup
- Give your dog a dedicated resting spot — a bed or crate sized so they can stand, turn around and lie down fully stretched.
- Crates work best as a den, not a penalty box: door left open during the day, used for sleep and travel.
- Puppies do better with a pen or a dog-proofed room while they are teething and not yet house trained.
- Keep water available at all times, and keep the sleeping area out of drafts and direct sun.
Feeding
How often: Twice a day for adults; three to four small meals for puppies under six months.
How much: Follow the body-weight guide on the food bag, then adjust by body condition — you should feel ribs easily but not see them.
- Measure meals with a cup or scale rather than eyeballing; most overweight dogs are simply over-served.
- Transition to a new food over 7–10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food in.
- Fresh water daily; wash bowls every day.
- Treats should stay under about 10% of daily calories.
Cleaning & hygiene
- Brush a few times a week; short-coated breeds need less, double-coated breeds much more during shedding season.
- Bathe only when needed — usually every 4–8 weeks. Over-bathing strips the coat of natural oils.
- Trim nails every 3–4 weeks, or when you hear them clicking on the floor.
- Brush teeth several times a week; dental disease is the most common health issue in adult dogs.
- Check ears weekly for odor or redness, especially in floppy-eared breeds.
Care routine
Daily
- Two meals at consistent times
- Walk(s) plus play
- Fresh water
- A few minutes of training or enrichment
Weekly
- Brush the coat
- Check ears, eyes and nails
- Wash food and water bowls
- Launder bedding
Monthly
- Weigh and note body condition
- Nail trim if needed
- Refresh toys and rotate enrichment
- Check flea/tick prevention schedule
Handling
- Support the chest and hindquarters when lifting; never lift a dog by the scruff or front legs.
- Let a dog sniff you before you reach for them; reach in from the side rather than over the head.
- Teach handling as a skill: touch paws, ears and mouth briefly, then reward — this makes vet visits and grooming far easier.
Life stages
Puppy (0–12 months)
Frequent small meals, socialization window, house training, chew management, vaccination schedule with your vet.
Adult (1–7 years)
Steady routine, weight management, consistent daily exercise and mental work.
Senior (7+ years)
Softer bedding, shorter but more frequent walks, more frequent weight and mobility checks, senior vet checks twice a year.
Setup checklist
Everything you want in place before your dog comes home:
- Bed or crate sized to the adult dog
- Food and water bowls (stainless steel or ceramic)
- Collar or harness with ID tag
- Leash (4–6 ft) and a longer line for training
- Chew toys and a puzzle feeder
- Grooming brush and nail clippers
- Enzymatic cleaner for house-training accidents
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your animal is injured, lethargic, off food for an unusual length of time or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a dog eat?
Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day, roughly 12 hours apart. Puppies under six months usually need three to four smaller meals because they cannot eat enough in one sitting.
How much exercise does a dog need?
It depends far more on breed than on size. A working or herding breed may need 90–120 minutes of real activity; a small companion breed may be satisfied with 30 minutes plus play. Watch for restlessness and destructive behaviour — those are usually exercise and enrichment gaps, not disobedience.
How often should I bathe my dog?
Only when they actually need it — typically every 4–8 weeks. Bathing more often dries the skin out. Regular brushing matters far more than bathing.