Lucky’s Practical Dog Care Guide | 42 Must-Know Facts Every Dog Parent Should Read

Whether you're a new pup owner or have raised dogs for years, knowing the little details can make a big difference in your dog’s health and happiness. Here are 42 practical dog care facts — backed by science and real experience — to help you become a better caretaking companion.

Physiology & Natural Traits

Here are important facts about your dog’s body and natural behavior. Understanding these helps you respond better when things feel “off.”

Dogs sleep a lot: typically 10–15 hours a day, while puppies can sleep up to 20 hours.
Normal body temperature: puppies ~ 38.5–39°C, adults ~ 37.5–38.5°C; daily fluctuations are normal.
Fever levels: 38.5–39°C = low-grade fever; 39.5–40.5°C = moderate; above 40.5°C = high fever.
Average lifespan is about 12 years, with small breeds often outliving large breeds.
Puppies begin teething (loss of baby teeth) around 4–5 months; adults have 42 teeth total.
Retained baby teeth (“double row”) should be removed—untreated ones can hinder adult teeth.
Puppies begin replacing their coat at ~3 months, usually done by 6–8 months; older dogs (6–10 years) often grow grey hair locally.
Shedding peaks in spring and autumn, and during the coat change (puppy → adult).
Dogs lack eyebrows, but they have facial muscles that let them “raise” brows or express by eye shape.
Dogs do not have sweat glands like humans; shaving their coat doesn't help cool them and can harm their skin barrier.
Fear of heights is common—stairs or ledges can trigger this instinctive anxiety.
Color vision: dogs see blue and yellow well; other colors appear mostly in shades of grey.
Normal anatomy: five toes on front paws, four on back paws.
The way dogs drink—curling the tongue backward—is more efficient than simple lapping.
Spinning in circles before defecating is instinctive behavior possibly linked to Earth's magnetic field alignment.
Dog ear canals are L-shaped. Cleaning must be done gently in horizontal and vertical planes to avoid damaging the eardrum.
A healthy dog’s nose should feel moist, not dry or overly cracked.
A dog’s nose print is unique—similar to human fingerprints.

Feeding & Nutrition Tips

Eating well is key to health—these tips help avoid common mistakes and ensure balanced nutrition.

Puppies are weaned between 4–7 weeks; before 4 months feed softer food; after 1 year transition fully to dog food.
Specialty pet goat or sheep milk powders can be replaced with low-fat, well-digested milk substitutes if needed.
Avoid giving snacks before 3 months; only consider meat‐based treats when 4+ months old.
Most nutritional supplements are unnecessary if your dog is on high-quality balanced food.
Good, balanced food is always better than using lots of supplements.
Unless diagnosed with calcium deficiency (or feeding homemade food), don’t self-supplement calcium.
Large or giant breed puppies need to be especially careful—too much calcium early can disturb bone growth.
Before the full vaccine series is complete, soften kibble (e.g. by soaking 40–60 minutes) to avoid digestive issues.
Feeding amount guideline: 3–5% of body weight for medium/large breeds; 2–3% for small breeds.
Use stool firmness as feedback: hard = maybe you’re underfeeding; too soft = maybe overfeeding (assuming hydration is okay).
Feeding frequency by age:

1–3 months: 3–4 meals/day
3–6 months: 3 meals/day
6–12 months: 2–3 meals/day
Adult: 2 meals/day

Vaccination & Deworming Essentials

Preventing disease is at least half of good dog care.

Only vaccinate or deworm when your dog is in good health.
When a dog is newly adopted, wait about 7 days without stress before starting vaccinations.
Typical vaccine schedule: first dose around 45 days old, with 2nd/3rd doses spaced 15–21 days apart. In the first year, give a combo vaccine plus rabies; then booster once a year.
Internal and external parasite treatments can be done around the same time, but be sure there’s at least one week between deworming & vaccine shots.
Avoid bathing 3–7 days before/after external parasite treatment—water may reduce effectiveness.
Deworming monthly until 6 months; afterward adjust frequency based on environment and exposure.

Grooming & Hygiene Care

Cleanliness isn’t just about smells—it’s essential for preventing infections and promoting comfort.

Wash and disinfect food & water bowls daily; fresh water every day.
Brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent dental plaque; mouthwash isn’t a substitute.
Clean ears with vet-approved ear cleaner every 7–10 days to prevent ear mites.
Skip full baths when: vaccine series isn’t complete, newly home, in heat, sick, or within one week after vaccination—use dry shampoo or foam for spot cleaning.
Keep water temperature around 40°C for baths. Dogs can shake off ~70% water in just a few seconds.
During spring/summer bathe every ~15 days; in autumn/winter every ~20 days.
After a bath, dry thoroughly—focus especially on areas like underarms, belly, and between toes, where moisture easily hides.

What to Remember (Wrap-Up)

You might not have known these facts before, but they matter. Things like not bathing your dog right after vaccination, or thinking “shaving coat = cooling down”, or giving random snacks—small mistakes add up.

Don’t let “ignorant love” become harm. Use these facts to guide you. Bookmark this article, read it again, share with other dog lovers—good care starts with awareness.