Dog Care Guide: Top Tips To Help Your Dog Stay Healthy

As dog owners, we all want to do what is right for our furry companions and treat them the best way possible. However, sometimes, our duty as an owner can feel a little overwhelming. How do we know if our dogs are happy and healthy? If only they could talk to us and tell us how they feel!

Luckily, keeping your dog healthy doesn’t have to be a difficult task, and there are a few things that you can do to help. Take a look at the top tips below. 

Take Time For Daily Exercise

Exercise is an absolute necessity for your dog. They thrive when they are active, and exercise also helps to give them mental stimulation. There are some tell-tale signs that show your dog is lacking exercise. For example, you may notice that they become lethargic. If you get the impression that your dog is bored around the house, make sure to take time out for a walk. Even a quick trip down to your local park can be enough to make them happy. 

There are plenty of effective ways to exercise with your dog, and you can seek inspiration online. Running and walking are two of the more obvious ones, but you may also be surprised to know dogs can make great yoga companions. You could also try taking your dog to agility classes to give them a fun workout. Give it a try for yourself and see; your dog is sure to love it and these activities could become great ways to bond with your pet. 

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Provide A Clean Environment

You should always do what you can to protect your dog from any hazards around your home. Keeping a clean and safe environment is crucial for your dog’s health. It gives them a better quality of life, and they are less likely to damage their health from any unhygienic surroundings. Get into the habit of cleaning your dogs’ beds and blankets regularly. They can begin to carry bacteria which can later infect your dog and make them ill. Your dog’s surroundings are essential to their overall health. If you have an older dog, it may also be beneficial to invest in a bed that is good for muscular and joint pain. 

You should also give your dog their own space in the home. Sometimes, when you have visitors round – or a fierce lightning storm occurs outside, this can be very overwhelming for your dog. In these instances, they should have an area to retreat to and feel safe. This will be hugely beneficial for their mental well-being and help to put them at ease. 

Research High-Quality Feed

Finding the right food for your dog can feel a little overwhelming. With so much choice in your local pet store, how do you know you are choosing the right one? The best tip to follow is to look out for the four basic staples. These are fibre, water, fat and protein. You want to ensure your dog is getting the nutrients they need. Now, you can order pet food and supplies straight to your front door, thanks to Time For Paws. Their website is packed full of nutritious treats that your dog is sure to love. 

Overfeeding is also something you should be aware of. Overweight dogs face an increased risk of serious health issues like heart disease and cancer. If you are concerned about the weight of your pup, it is always advised that you consult with your vet for their professional opinion. They will be able to guide you in the right direction of food type and portion size. 

Attend Vet Appointments

Vet appointments should always be a number one priority. No matter how busy your lifestyle is, missing an appointment could be crucial for your dog. Although you may think your dog is happy and healthy, these appointments are there to help identify any underlying health issues. Catching a health problem early means you can work quickly to treat it and reduce the impact it has on your pet and their general health. 

Your vet will also provide you with relevant information regarding your dog’s vaccinations alongside other things like deworming. Some dogs may be more nervous about attending the vet than others. However, there are some things that you can do to help.

You can learn more about reducing vet anxiety through some online research. As your dog gets used to visiting the vet, and comes to associate the experience with pleasant activities, such as treats and getting lots of attention, it will become easier to take them. If they struggle attending the vet’s practice, then you can ask your vet if they do home visits to ensure that your dog always gets the treatment it needs without the hassle and stress. 

Understand The Importance Of Dental Health

The secret to a healthy dog isn’t just good food and exercise; their dental hygiene is also hugely important. Dogs can get dental disease and, if it progresses, it can become very painful for them. Dental disease starts with a build-up of plaque on the teeth’s surface, much like us humans can experience. Once this plaque keeps building, it will harden on your dog’s teeth, and this can start to cause a long list of problems if not treated correctly. To avoid this, you should always brush your dog’s teeth and give them dental treats/toys.

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If you are worried about your dog’s dental hygiene, here are some of the signs that they may be experiencing the disease. Symptoms include loose/broken teeth, harsh breath, bleeding from the mouth and excessive drooling. Luckily, this can be treated with professional guidance. Take a look at some dental hygiene tips online to help steer you in the right direction. 

Taking care of a dog is a major responsibility. There’s a lot to consider, so use this list of tips to make the process easier and ensure that your dog lives its best life.