Improving Your Dog’s Health This Summer With These Helpful Tips And Tricks

Summer is an excellent season for your dog to enjoy the great outdoors. Yet, as with any season, your dog’s health should be at the forefront of your concerns. Fortunately, there are some excellent tips and tricks you can use to keep your dog healthy and happy during the summer months and beyond.

One of the best methods to boost your dog’s health this summer is to switch to a raw dog food diet. Raw food provides your dog with essential nutrients often lost during cooking or processing. It also helps improve your dog’s immune system, which is essential for parasite prevention. Speaking of parasite prevention, another important tip to keep in mind is regular deworming and flea/tick prevention. Parasites are rampant during the summer season, and they can cause a wide range of health issues for your dog. Therefore, it’s crucial to take preventive measures to keep these parasites at bay. Finally, training is another important aspect of keeping your dog healthy this summer. Proper training can help prevent accidents or injuries and can also help your dog stay mentally and physically stimulated.

These are just a few of the pointers we’ll go through below. Keep reading if you want to boost your dog’s health this summer.

Take care of your dog’s nutrition by considering swapping to raw dog food

Switching to a raw food diet for dogs can be a game-changer for your dog’s health. Raw dog food is unprocessed, which means that it retains more of the essential nutrients that your dog needs. As mentioned, many of these nutrients are often lost during cooking or processing. Raw dog food is also free of fillers, which can cause digestive issues and weight gain. You can benefit your dog’s general health and well-being by feeding them a raw diet. You can learn more about getting started and how to get your raw dog food delivery box by checking out healthy dog supplements like those provided by ProDog Raw; you could even try a sample box to see how well your dog responds to the diet.

It’s essential to note that switching to raw food for dogs should be done gradually. You should start by adding small amounts of raw food to your dog’s existing diet and gradually increase the amount over time. This will help prevent digestive issues and ensure that your dog adjusts well to the new diet.

Help your dog maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight can result in a variety of health complications, such as arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, so maintaining your dog’s weight is critical for its physical health and well-being. As noted in our tips, adopt a balanced diet and give your dog plenty of exercises to help them maintain a healthy weight. Avoid giving your dog table scraps or high-fat treats, as these can lead to weight gain. Instead, opt for healthier treats like carrots or apples.

Make sure they get plenty of exercise

Exercise is critical for your dog’s physical and mental health. It strengthens their muscles and joints, assists them in maintaining a healthy weight, and lowers their chance of medical issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Exercise also helps keep your dog mentally stimulated, which is essential for its overall well-being.

The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on their age, breed, and health status. Dogs, on average, require at least 30 minutes of exercise daily; however, many breeds require much more. This can include activities such as walking, playing fetch, and swimming. It’s essential to ensure that the exercise is appropriate for your dog’s age and health status. For example, older dogs may not be able to handle as much exercise as younger dogs. Mental stimulation counts as exercise too.

Visit your vet for annual wellness checks

Regular vet consultations can be crucial for your dog’s health. Annual wellness checks can help detect health issues early, which can improve the chances of successful treatment. During the wellness check, your vet will perform a physical exam, check your dog’s weight, and discuss any concerns you may have. They may also recommend blood work or other diagnostic tests to ensure that your dog is healthy.

Keep their vaccinations up-to-date

As well as ensuring you get your dog’s annual wellness checks, vaccinations are also an essential aspect of your dog’s health. They aid in the prevention of a wide range of ailments, some of which are fatal. It’s crucial to keep your dog’s vaccines up to date in order to safeguard them from these ailments.

Depending on your dog’s age and health, your veterinarian will recommend a vaccine programme. Make sure to follow this schedule and keep a record of your dog’s vaccinations. This will help ensure that your dog is protected from potentially deadly diseases.

Provide parasite prevention

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and worms flourish throughout the summertime, and these parasites can cause anaemia, skin discomfort, and even some are even fatal. As a result, it is vital to take preventive measures to keep these parasites away.

There are several ways to prevent parasites, including regular deworming and flea/tick prevention. Your vet can recommend a parasite prevention program that is appropriate for your dog’s age, breed, and lifestyle. It’s also essential to keep your dog’s environment clean and free of parasites. This can include regular grooming, cleaning bedding, and vacuuming floors.

Ensure you spay or neuter your dog

Desexing your dog is a crucial component of being a responsible pet parent since it can avoid a variety of potential health issues, including cancer. Spaying or neutering your dog can also help avoid unwanted litters and minimise the number of homeless canines.

Reach out to your vet about the best time to spay or neuter your dog. Spaying or neutering your dog is often recommended starting at six months of age.

Brush your dog’s teeth

Dogs require the same level of oral hygiene as people. Regular brushing can help prevent dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. It’s important to start brushing your dog’s teeth early on to get them used to the process, as it can be stressful. Brush your pup’s teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs. Never use human toothpaste, as it can be harmful to your dog. Start by brushing for just a few seconds at a time and gradually increase the length of each brushing session. If your dog resists it, try using flavoured toothpaste or dental chews to make the process more enjoyable.

Invest in training

Proper training can help prevent accidents or injuries and can also help your dog stay mentally and physically stimulated. Training can also help prevent behavioural issues such as aggression, barking, or destructive chewing.

When investing in training, consider what type of training would be best for your dog’s personality and needs. You can take your dog to a professional trainer or work on training at home using positive reinforcement techniques. Whatever method you choose, make sure you’re consistent and patient, and always reward good behaviour.

Final thoughts

To summarise, there are numerous strategies to boost your dog’s health this summer and keep them happy and healthy all year. By following these tips and methods, you can help guarantee that your four-legged buddy stays in great condition and enjoys all of the fun and excitement that the summer season has to offer.

This is a guest post.