Tips for Helping your Dog Live its Best Life
Dogs are man’s best friend. Dogs are kind, loyal, and supply unconditional love to their guardian(s). A Dog can quickly make its way into the heart and the home as an important member of the family. It is for these reasons that so many dog parents want to make sure they are doing everything they can to take exceptionally good care of a dog. Most dog owners want to do everything they can so their dog lives a longer and healthier life. Whether you are a first-time pet owner or a veteran pet parent, there are several things you can do to take good care of a dog. Discover some of them below.
A Good Diet
Feeding your dog the right quality and quantity of food is one of the best ways to ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life. High-quality food is important for a dog – just like it is for humans. If your dog’s fur seems scruffy, rough or dull, it could very well be that you need to change your dog’s diet. Protein should be one of the first items listed on the package’s ingredient list. Just like sugar is bad for us humans, it is also not great for our pups. Monitoring calories and portion sizes is also important. Like us, a dog’s body functions better when it is not overweight. Managing your dog’s weight is also the best method to prevent your dog from canine arthritis. Do some research online and consult with your vet to determine what kind of dog food is best for your dog.
Training
Proper training is crucial to reduce anxiety and neuroticism in dogs. Specific breeds have the tendency to be particularly anxious – you can learn more about your dog’s breed here. Routine is an important part of caring for your dog. This includes sleeping, feeding, exercising and walking and even bathroom times.
Crate training is an important aspect of training your dog and helps with house training. It’s a good way to teach your dog appropriate behaviors and is also good for puppies, who should not have run of the entire house at all times anyway. Crates are often seen as a “safe” space and a quiet and secure place for puppies to escape to, as it can be overwhelming to have such a large space to roam around.
Visit the Vet Regularly
Regular checkups at the vet are so important to ensure a healthy life for your dog. Not only can regular checkups help save money by implementing prevention methods but it can also identify and treat concerns before it becomes too late or too costly. Your vet can also be a great source of tips and advice for the wellbeing of your dog – after all, it is their profession, and they’ve seen and treated hundreds of dogs like yours. Finding a good vet that you trust is a great way to ensure you are taking good care of your pet, and also reduces stress in your dog during veterinarian visits and checkups.
Practice Good Hygiene
Depending on what type of dog you have, you may need to get your dog groomed frequently. Some dogs (i.e. Poodles, Bichon Frise’s, and other dogs with hair and not fur) need to be groomed frequently to avoid dirty and matted hair. Bathing your dog also helps keep its hygiene health good and can prevent bugs, pests and ticks from creating a home in your dog’s fur. Other dogs such as Siberian Huskies should be de-furred every once in a while to help get rid of all the excess fur they have and eventually shed. Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is important to prevent tooth loss and gum infections. Even dog treats that help with teeth hygiene is good for your pet (though should not be used as a replacement for brushing your dog’s teeth).
(Let’s) Get Physical
Just as physical activity is important for people, it is also great for dogs. If you want to take good care of your dog and prolong your dog’s life, exercising him/her regularly (i.e. daily) is a must. Take your dog on a walk, a jog, a trip to the dog park, or even to the park to play fetch. Daily exercise can make a tremendous impact in your dog’s health and should be a priority. It will help your dog live a long and healthy life, and as an added benefit, you also get some fresh air and exercise! Daily physical activity can also be a good a way for your dog to let out pent-up energy, which can otherwise lead to chewing on household items or misbehaving.
Love and Petting
Ever notice how sad your dog gets when you leave; and conversely, how happy your dog is when you return home (even if you have only been gone for a few minutes)? That is because dogs live to please and be with their human. They crave attention and interaction. They love us unconditionally and are happy when they are with their owner. Giving your dog love and some attention is really all they ask for. Spend some time with your dog to make them happy and relaxed. Happiness is important for dogs, and you, their human companion have the ability to improve your dog’s happiness. Ensuring your dog’s wellbeing reduces stress and anxiety, which also helps dogs live a longer life. Plus, cuddling with your furry friend is certainly one of the best parts about having a pet dog!
Bringing it All Together
Follow the tips above and your dog is on its way to living a long, happy, and healthy life. Just like us humans, your dog’s good health is crucial to living a great life. You can make that happen by taking good care of your dog. You will likely see immediate improvements in your dog’s happiness, health, and behavior just by incorporating these changes into your dog’s life.
