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Dog Lisence
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Getting a lisence for your dog is one of the most important steps in proper dog management.
Your local vet can carry out the procedure for you.
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Flea and Tic Meds
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S.P.A.R.E. RECOMMENDS FRONTLINE
It is of the utmost importance to give your pet flea medication. Fleas and tic infestations are very dangerous and uncomfortable for your dog.
There are several flea and tic medications available in Egypt.
All flea and tic medications are administered depending on the weight of your dog.
Ask your vet which one suits your pet best
Frontline: Available at Sami's Pet Shop.
Revolution: Available at all vets and pet shops
Russian: Available at all vets and pet shops
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Your Dog Kit
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Collar
Dog tag with dog's name and your phone number on it
Leash
Towels
Blanket
Dog bed
Toys
Chew Bones
Dog food
Two bowls - one for water, one for food
Your vets number saved on your cellphone
Equipment and Supplies
Muzzle
Scissors (for hair trimming)
Brush
Flea and tick comb
Shampoo (Betadine Shampoo is a great option)
Ear cleaning solution
Tweezers
Nail clippers and metal nail file
Syringe without the needle (to give liquid medicine0
Cotton balls
Clean towels - cloth and paper
Disposable gloves
Pet carrier
Nutritional Support
Rehydrating solution such as Mahlool El Gaffaf
Medicines
De-worming medication
Flea and tick medication
Wound disinfectant e.g. Betadine
Triple antibiotic ointment for skin e.g. Fucidin
Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes, e.g., Terramycin
Eye wash solution
Sterile saline
Antidiarrheal medicine such as Kapect
Aspirin e.g. Panadol
Medicine for allergic reactions e.g. Benadryl
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Dog Friendly Places
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Beaches
Most camps in Sinai are dog friendly
Most resorts in Ain Sokhna are dog friendly, but we have heard several reports of dog poisoning in Al Ain Resort
Parks
The Gezira Dog park is the only place in Egypt where you can socialize your dog with other dogs, and give it a chance to run and play
Wadi Delga
Wadi Degla is a great place to take your dog (and your friends) for a run in a beautiful place
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Before Getting a Dog
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Dogs are not appliances.
Don't get a dog as a status symbol.
Don't get a dog as a “mate magnet” to attract members of the opposite sex.
Don't get a dog because your friend or neighbor has one.
Don't get a dog because you need a "guard dog" and you think that is less work than a "house dog".
Get a dog because you truly love dogs, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before getting a dog, ask yourself the following questions (and be very honest with your answers!)
1. Why do you want a dog? (Your answers shouldn't be "For my kids", "For protection", "To breed puppies", or "It's cool". If they are, you're probably better off buying something else).
2. Does everyone living with you want a dog too? Caring for a dog is a big responsibility, and you must make sure that people are around you are willing to care for it too.
3. Are you sure that nobody is allergic to dogs or afraid of dogs? Bringing a dog into a house where people might suffer is unfair to both your family and to the dog.
4. Are you sure that nobody in your family believes that dogs shouldn't be in the house for religious reasons? Some people believe that dogs are sinful and shouldn't be in the house. This results in people buying dogs anyway, and let them live on the roof, in the balcony, or only in one room. This is cruel and unfair to the dog. It is also disrespectful to your family members.
5. Are you, and all those living with you, committed to spending 12+ years providing for your dog? Your dog will need your care and commitment for its entire life. You must be sure that you are willing and able to care for it until the end of its days.
6. Are you financially capable of providing for a dog? Caring for a dog is expensive - you must be able to cover the cost of quality food, equipment, boarding when you're away, veterinary care and other health care (monthly flea and tick medication; de-worming tablets; medicine).
7. Are you physically able to care for a dog? Dogs need regular exercise and walks. Your lifestyle should meet the dogs needs.
8. Do you have access to an area where your dog can run and play (garden, sporting club (like the Gezira Sporting Club Dog Park etc)? Dogs need to run, play and socialize with other dogs. You must have access to a safe, open space where your dog can express its physical needs.
9. Are you patient enough to house-break, crate-train and teach him to obey you, being patient when the dog is disobedient or obstinate? The first year of a dog's life needs patience, understanding and firmness. You must be sure that you will not lose patience with your dog, but instead look at the experience as one where you and your dog will benefit the most if you will not be cruel, angry or violent.
10. Are you willing to put in extra effort to care for him, in his illness and in his old age? Dogs are not like humans - they can't take their medicine alone, they can't cook their own food, they can't clean up after their own mess. You must understand that dogs need even more attention when they are old, and you must be willing to make that commitment.
11. Will your dog be alone for long periods of time on a daily basis? If you and your family work very long hours which will result in your dog being left alone for long periods of time, it is unfair to own a dog. Dogs love their owners, and can suffer depression when left alone for a long time. They need time, love and attention.
12. Do you travel frequently? Will it be difficult for you to find quality care for your dog when you're away? If you find that your travelling habits will result in your dog spending more time at a kennel than at your home, then you shouldn't have a dog.
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Dog Needs
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Basic Care
Companionship - to be with other dogs or people and not to be left alone for too long
A collar and identity tag with its name and your phone number and address
A leash
Toys to provide mental stimulation
Stainless steel bowls for food and water
Shampoo, brush, towels
Bed
Diet
A balanced diet
Constant supply of fresh, clean water
Bones to keep their teeth clean
Vitamins (depending on age)
Exercise
Regular walks (3 times a day)
A place where it can run and play
Care
To be brushed every day, especially if they have long hair
To be bathed regularly
Nails should be clipped
Teeth should be clean. Regular dental check ups by vet
It's own bed and blanket
To be properly trained
To learn to walk on leash properly
Health Care
To be micro-chipped
To be licensed
To be neutered
To be taken to a vet if they are ill
Yearly vaccinations
Deworming every 3 months
Monthly flea and tick treatments
To be looked after when you are on holiday
Remember: a dog needs your care and attention for the rest of its life.
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Feeding Your Dog
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ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A BOWL OF FRESH WATER AVAILABLE FOR YOUR
DOG. EGYPT IS A HOT COUNTRY, AND DOGS CAN EASILY SUFFER FROM
DEHYDRATION.
Feed your adult dog twice a day. You can split their main meal into
two, or give them a small breakfast in the morning, and their main meal
in the early evening.
Dog Food
Contrary to popular opinion, raising your dog on dog food is a great idea! It costs exactly the same as feeding your dog home cooked food, and it also ensures that your dog gets a well-balanced diet.
Supermarkets
You can purchase quality dog food from most Supermarkets in Egypt: the most common brands available in hyper and super markets are Dog and Puppy Chow, and Pedigree Chum.
Pedigree Chum produce dry and wet (canned) food.
S.P.A.R.E. recommends that you feed your dog a mix of wet and dry food, since dry food is good for your dog's teeth, and helps remove any remains of wet food.
Pet Shops
Pet Shops such as Sami's Pet Shop in Zamalek and Chez Berge in Mohandeseen sell dry and wet food brands as well.
You will find a wider range of dog food available at Pet Shops, in particular Royal Canin, which is the dog food brand that S.P.A.R.E. recommends. Royal Canin produce dog food that meets certain breeds' needs (Golden Retriever, Boxer etc), as well as the dogs' size and age.
You can also find dog food in your vets office.
Home Cooked Food
Many people prefer to feed their dogs home cooked food.
S.P.A.R.E. recommends that you feed your dog a mix of chicken and meat - for example, chicken four times a week, and meat three times a week.
Feeding your dog bones is not a balanced diet.
We also recommend that you balance a home cooked diet with dry food.
A good diet to follow for your dog would be the following:
Chicken breast + carrots + zucchini + rice
Minced meat + carrots + zucchini + balady bread
The amount you feed your dog depends on its size and breed.
Make sure you boil your dogs' food - do not use butter, oil, ghee or anything that might harm its health.
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