Dogs live very short lives—around five to 10 years on average—and this may vary depending on the dog’s size or pedigree. However, some can live beyond their expected life span. As a matter of fact, an Australian cattle dog named Bluey lived for 29 years and 160 days according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
The length of a dog’s life may depend on breeding and genetics, diet and exercise, and their overall health and wellness. Although there’s no absolute scientific formula that can influence their longevity, one thing’s for sure: you may love several dogs within your lifetime, but a dog will love only you for the entirety of theirs. To somehow return the unconditional love they shower you with every day, you must make sure that your furry best friend is properly taken care of.
Besides providing them with food, water, and shelter, you can visit a physical or online pet supply store and easily find all sorts of products that can help ensure that your most loyal companion gets the life they deserve. Pet accessories such as a flea collar for dogs, chew toys, flirt poles, and spring poles are totally worth the buck. Not only will these help prevent diseases, bad habits, and behavioral problems, but they’ll also keep your dog fit, healthy, and happy.
To help you learn more about these pet accessories, below is a list of essential information you can refer to.
- Flea Collar
Fleas and ticks are parasites that can be very harmful to dogs and cause serious complications if not promptly treated. They can cause swelling, skin diseases and infections, loss of appetite, and fever, to mention a few. And these pesky parasites can even affect humans and be as harmful as they are to dogs. That’s why you should keep an eye out for them and take the necessary measures to get rid of them once you’ve determined that they’ve become a problem for your dog.
There are several natural ways to control fleas and ticks. Some of which may come in the form of topical or oral medications. You can also get dog soaps and shampoos that will allow you to eliminate such parasites once and for all. Keep in mind that those may not permanently address the issue as fleas and ticks thrive in shady areas with tall grass, bushes, and other animals. But the aforementioned products are known to be highly effective when it comes to control and prevention. And by far the most convenient and reliable solution is a natural flea collar for dogs.
It works by releasing active ingredients onto your dog’s skin upon application. It can then provide protection from fleas and ticks even before they begin to bite. Most flea collars can kill fleas and ticks within 24 to 48 hours. Modern flea collars provide sustained protection that can last up to eight months. That’ll give your dog continuous relief from itching and irritation.
- Chew Toy
Perhaps one of the best accessories you can get your dog is a chew toy. Not only will this stimulate their jaw muscles and the muscles that control their ears, but it will also keep them busy. Such accessory is essential especially when they’re alone in the house. This can help prevent them from developing bad habits such as chewing on shoes and furniture and relieve stress and anxiety.
In addition, chew toys can keep their teeth and gums clean by preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar as they chew the hours away. That’s mental and dental health rolled into one!
- Flirt Pole
A flirt pole, sometimes called a flirt stick or teaser wand, is a dog toy that looks like a fishing rod. It’s made of a light yet sturdy material, and it’s basically a stick with a rope attached to it. At the end of the rope is a lure such as a chew toy or anything that can get the dog’s attention. You can easily make a DIY flirt pole or get one for less than USD$15. This is probably one of the best dog toy investments you can make.
The flirt pole is great for high-energy dogs and aggressive dogs to help them positively release their aggression. It encourages your dog to sprint and run while trying to catch the lure. It makes for a fun activity that stimulates your dog’s mind, increases their stamina, and enhances the muscles in their shoulders, back, and hind legs. This is also ideal for dogs who aren’t fond of playing fetch.
- Spring Pole
Unlike the flirt pole that you have to tease your dog with, you can just leave the spring pole hanging by a post or a tree and let your dog do the work. This can even be an indoor activity because it doesn’t require a huge space or yard.
The flirt pole has a swivel eye tie snap, a couple of quick links, and a porch spring for resistance as your dog tugs the rope at the end of it. Some spring poles have rawhide instead of a rope attached to the porch spring to make the activity more engaging due to the rawhide’s taste and aroma.
Tugging the spring pole helps your dog release excess energy while working their neck, back, hind leg, and jaw muscles. And just like the flirt pole, you can make a DIY spring pole or get one for less than USD$30.
Final Thoughts
There’s a wide variety of pet accessories out there that will improve your dog’s health. The products above are just a few of the many essential accessories you can get to keep them in great shape and give them something fun to do once in a while. Other accessories such as elevated feeding bowls, water dispensers, dog beds, and dog crates can also be beneficial for your dog’s overall health and wellness. By getting any of these products, you can easily make your dog’s life —as well as your own—truly worthwhile.