Dog care card
A dog needs a grown-up's plan and a child's helping hands, every single day.
- Home
- A quiet, comfortable, draft-free bed. Leave a dog alone when it is in its bed.
- Food
- A grown-up weighs each portion. A treat means a smaller dinner. Ask the vet how many meals a day.
- Water
- Clean, fresh water all the time. Wash the water bowl and food bowl often.
- Every day
- A walk on a leash with an ID tag, and play to burn energy and keep the dog from getting bored.
- Every week
- Brush a short coat about once a week. A grown-up checks the ears and trims nails that click on the floor.
- Handling
- Be gentle. Never bother a dog that is eating, sleeping, or hiding. A grown-up is always there.
- Happy signs
- Loose body, soft eyes, relaxed ears and an easy, open mouth.
- Tell a grown-up if
- The dog seems very sleepy or sad, or ate chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions or other foods on the unsafe list.
My jobs, with a grown-up
- Fill the water bowl with fresh water (checked by a grown-up)
- Help brush a short coat once a week (checked by a grown-up)
- Throw the ball in a fenced yard and play gently (checked by a grown-up)
- Hold the leash on a walk with a grown-up (checked by a grown-up)
- Tell a grown-up if the dog seems sleepy or sad (checked by a grown-up)
Wash your hands Wash your hands with soap and water after you touch the dog, its food, its bowls or its toys.
Ask a grown-up to look at Peabody Pets with you: pet.peabody.kids
From CDC Healthy Pets, ASPCA, PDSA, RSPCA, checked 29 Oct 2026. A vet always knows best for your own pet.