We treat our dogs like family. We feed, bathe, and take care of them, and even include them in family photos and other special occasions. As a member of our family, we should treat our pets with love and care so they can live a long and happy life with us.
Learn different ways on how to keep your dog healthy. This blog discusses tips on making good health choices for your pup.
Make Good Choices for Your Dog
Choosing what’s right for your dog is just one of the many things that responsible pet owners should always do. Here are different tips that play a vital role in your dog’s health care and wellness.
Food
Healthy dogs get their recommended vitamins and nutrients from the food you give them. Promote a strong immune system and give them lots of energy to last an entire day of playing.
Proper Dog Food
We suggest mixing wet and dry dog food to give them varying tastes and textures for a more fun and pleasurable feeding time. Each type of dog food offers different benefits. For example, wet dog food has high fluid content and is excellent for pups who don’t drink as much water as they should. It is also more aromatic and flavorful and gives a longer-lasting feeling of being “full.” Wet dog food is also easier to chew and digest.
Meanwhile, dry dog food is easier to manage and pre-portion, and doesn’t quickly spoil if your dog decides to leave it untouched. This is perfect for grazers and picky pets, since they can always go back to their food once they go hungry. Dry dog food is also often used as treats and rewards during playtime or training. Lastly, dry dog food encourages chewing, reducing the risk of tartar buildup.
Diet
It is a pet owner’s responsibility to pay attention to their dog’s diet. Always check the nutritional facts of the food you are feeding your pet. Look for any additives, preservatives, colorings, and added nutrients. You must also know how much and how often to feed your pup in a day.
Weight
Speaking of diet, owners should also keep tabs on the weight of their dogs. Overweight pups are more prone to health risks. These include diabetes and ACL injuries in dogs. The added load puts a lot of strain on their hind legs, making running, walking, and other rigorous activities difficult.
Raise a healthy dog by helping them maintain its ideal weight. Remember that the ideal dog weight depends on its sex and breed. Take note that males are generally heavier than their female counterparts.
Supplements
Ask your veterinarian for supplements that are ideal for your pup. These can be vitamins and food additions that can improve the skin and coat of your dog, boost its immune system, and provide it with other essential nutrients. However, remember that supplements should not be treated as a direct substitute to a regular diet.
Veterinarian
Dogs should have routine checkups with their veterinarian at least once or twice a year. Vets know how to keep your dog healthy as they can detect any disease or injury before developing into something more complicated.
Vaccines, Spaying & Neutering
Vaccines protect your pup against potentially deadly diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and hepatitis. Make sure to follow the vaccination schedule set by your veterinarian to reduce the possible gap in its protection.
Similarly, spaying for females and neutering for males offer many benefits for your pet. For example, spaying prevents uterine infections and breast tumors, while neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer and prostate problems. These procedures also lessen the instances of your dog getting into heat that can lead to behavioral issues.
Dental Health
Dental health also plays a factor in your pup’s overall health. Periodontal canine diseases are often overlooked, even though they can cause significant health problems. Visit your veterinarian to know how to keep your dog’s teeth healthy. Unhealthy teeth can make your dog more susceptible to diabetes, systemic illness, and cardiac disease. Lack of proper dental hygiene can also cause gum diseases, such as periodontitis and gingivitis.
Emergency & First Aid
A playful and highly active pup is often unaware of how much it moves around. This puts them at risk of different accidents like leg fractures, knee injuries, getting bitten by another hound, or being hit by a vehicle. Pet owners must know first aid during these crucial moments to immediately address the injury. If you are unsure how to execute first aid on your pup correctly, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian.
Hygiene & Wellness
Good canine hygiene keeps your pup free from parasites, removes any unpleasant odors, and removes dirt and dust that have accumulated on their fur. Here are some cleanliness tips that you can do for your dog.
Bathing
How often you should bathe your dog shouldn’t solely depend on how bad they smell. You should also consider the length of its fur, its recent activities, and skin conditions if your dog has any to know when and how often you should bathe it.
You should let your pet have a proper dog bath at least every three weeks or once a month. Avoid over-bathing as it removes the natural oils that promote healthy fur growth for its coat.
Proper Exercise
Doing regular dog exercises keeps your pet in its best shape. A few minutes of leash walks in a day, playing fetch, and swimming are great ways to be physically active. You can make it more fun by adding toys and obstacle courses with every activity.
Good Grooming
Proper grooming also means keeping your puppy’s nails trimmed, coat shiny and odor-free, and fur brushed. Grooming makes your dog look healthy and presentable. A simple haircut prevents coat matting and lets your dog move and see better without all the excess fur. This is also a great way to inspect for any skin allergies, lumps and bumps, or bald patches that may cause concern.
Affection & Socialization
Dogs are social creatures and must freely interact with humans and other animals. Don’t let your pup be cooped alone indoors. Instead, give it enough time to play with its family and other dogs.
With Other Dogs
Letting your pup mingle with its playmates allows them to learn social cues. For example, it knows when to have a gentle approach or roughhouse. Moreover, exposure at a young age decreases its chance of being antisocial or having aggressive tendencies as an adult. And don’t you just love it seeing the smile on your pup’s face as it runs around?
With Its Owner
Establish a strong bond and give your pup some love. There are lots of ways you can show affection, such as cuddling, petting, and giving belly rubs. You can also brush its coat or carry it from time to time. These gestures promote positive interactions and better emotional connections with humans and other animals.
Promote Dog Health Care and Wellness
As dog owners and fur parents, we only want what’s best for our pup. We must know how to keep our dogs healthy and make choices that determine their health, appearance, behavior, and attitude towards others. Your pup depends on you to make the right choices to keep them strong and healthy. The joy and happiness it gives in return are more than enough to be treated like a member of your family.