10 Tips For Raising A Happy And Healthy Dog
Since they’re adorable, furry, and lovable, dogs can make a lot of people feel happy and appreciated. But having them will also make you look back on how you’ve treated them lately as they often treat their owners better than other people. Did you play with them long enough to make them feel loved? Have you walked your dog lately?
You may be one of the countless dog owners who think they’re not doing enough to make their pups happy and healthy. So, if you want to give your furry friend the best quality of life, this list is for you!
- Make Sure They Have A Healthy Diet
Giving your dog the right amount of healthy, edible dog foods can help them keep a healthy weight. This is very important as obesity-related illnesses are one of the most serious health risks for dogs, and keeping them healthy will extend their lifespan. Although most pets can get all of the nutrients they need from a balanced diet, you should still consult a veterinarian to check if your furry friend needs to take supplements.
Aside from food, your pet also needs to be properly hydrated as it’s a critical factor in maintaining their health and happy mood. You should also monitor the number of treats you give them, as most veterinarians suggest that they should comprise less than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
- Keep Them Active
Keeping your dog active by taking them on walks, swimming, letting them play fetch, hiking, and other activities will make them a lot healthier. But you need to stimulate their minds to keep it active, too. You can do this by giving them toys, letting them hunt for treats, letting them solve puzzles or go through obstacle courses, and teaching them new tricks that will make them always alert and engaged. You can also take your dog to a new street or another park to shake up your walking routine. Expose them to new environments.
- Take Them To The Vet Regularly
Like humans, dogs also need a yearly general check-up as it’s one of the best opportunities for your veterinarian to gauge their health and screen them for diseases and serious illnesses. They also need to have annual dental check-ups to protect their oral health.
- Give Them Preventive Medications
Giving your dog protection and taking them to the vet regularly makes it less likely for them to develop serious health problems such as parasite-borne diseases, oral health problems, and other illnesses. Also, brushing their teeth regularly and giving them dental chews can help prevent gum diseases, which can cause more serious health issues.
- Always Make Them Look Good
Keeping your dog properly groomed will also make them happier. Having their nails trimmed, brushing their hair, and giving them baths will do the trick. Aside from making them look and feel better, grooming will also allow you to see if they have bald patches, dry skin, dandruff, and other problems. It’s also the best time to look for lumps that may be an early sign of a health concern. You should also consult your veterinarian for the best grooming tips for your pet.
- Make Them Feel Loved
Making and maintaining a strong bond with your little friend is beneficial for both of you. When you cuddle, rub their belly, or brush their fur, you’re showing your pet affection, and they will greatly appreciate it. It’s not only good for making a strong connection to your dog, but it can also make them more sociable toward other people and animals.
- Expose Them To Others
Socialization is as important for dogs as it is for humans. Most veterinarians recommend that dogs be exposed to new environments and people right when they’re pups to make them less aggressive and antisocial when they become adults. You need to expose them to unfamiliar things and people as early as 16-18 weeks old as it is a critical period in their development. But they should still interact with people and animals regularly when they are older.
It’s a good thing that making your dog more sociable is relatively easy as you can just go for a walk around your street, take them to a park, or leave them on a pet daycare, and it’ll do the trick.
- Get Your Dog Neutered
If you have a male dog, getting them spayed can have quite a few benefits. They won’t be at risk from some forms of cancer and develop certain diseases. It could also reduce their aggression and increase their life expectancy. For female dogs, this procedure will help them become less irritable and noisy when their cycle comes.
- See If They’re Acting ‘Normal’
Paying attention to your pet’s behavior is very important. You need to see if they are scratching a lot more than normal, eating less or more frequently, among other changes. These actions can be some early signs of an underlying issue, or it’s their way of showing that they’re uncomfortable. So, if you notice something weird about your furry friend, you need to book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to see what causes it.
- Keep Them Safe
You can keep your dog safe by using collars with ID, injecting microchips, or simply making your home more pet-friendly by keeping toxic substances out of reach and making sure there are no potential hazards. You should also steer clear of unhealthy snacks, poisonous plants, and harmful insects.
Aside from keeping them safe, you should also make sure that the people your dog will interact with are protected, too. So, you must train your pets to be friendly toward strangers and animals. And more importantly, have them vaccinated.
Closing Thoughts
If you’ve been blessed by a new pup or have an adult dog in your home, you should cherish them. These creatures are extremely loving and loyal that a lot of people consider them as family members. To reciprocate everything your dog does for you, you should ensure that they have a happy and healthy life. By following the tips listed above, you can make that goal possible, and you will see that they’ll love you even more.
