A healthy dog is a happy dog. Luckily, looking after your dog’s health needn’t be too much of a challenge, especially if they have no pre-existing conditions. With the right amount of love, attention, and positive habits, your dog can live a long and happy life. Here are six ways to ensure that.
1: A Varied Diet
What your dog eats plays into its mood and overall wellbeing, which is why it is so important to provide a healthy, varied diet that provides all the nutrients a dog needs. Don’t just pick up the first brand you see—do sufficient research before deciding what your dog will eat every day. After all, some dogs require different meals. If you have a working dog, click here and see if your working dog needs a performance food → Diamond Pet Foods.
2: Lots of Walks
A healthy lifestyle for a dog includes lots and lots of exercise, mainly in the form of walks. Remember—the exercise will be good for you, too! If you have a dog park nearby, be sure to visit there frequently, and let your dog play until they get tired. Not only will this boost their health, but it’ll also help them sleep better.
3: Frequent Vet Checks
A healthy adult dog needs to visit the vet around once a year, so make sure you never miss that crucial appointment. Even if your dog has shown zero signs of illness, there are certain tests that vets do to determine whether an unseen problem is developing. Your dog might not love the trip to the vets, and if this is the case, you should reward them once they get home with snuggles and treats.
4: A Clean and Comfortable Sleeping Area
Dogs sleep for between twelve and fourteen hours per day—around half of their life! To make sure their bedtime is both relaxing and good for them, create a clean and comfortable sleeping area for them to snuggle down in each evening. A large dog bed that’s dry and washed regularly should suffice!
5: Plenty of Affection
Even if all of a dog’s physical needs are met, its health may suffer from a lack of affection. As you are likely aware, dogs are affectionate animals, and they need that same amount of love given back. So, to make sure they feel loved and cared for, spend as much time with your companion as you can, and provide lots of cuddles and kisses. For most owners, this isn’t a challenge!
6: Learn the Signs of Illness
Finally, you should learn the signs of common dog illnesses so that you can seek medical attention as soon as possible. Doing so will increase your dog’s chances of getting better, whether they are suffering from a mild illness or a more serious problem. Some common signs of illness in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Change in mood/temperament
- Withdrawing
- Aggression
As soon as you notice these changes, make an appointment at the vet. With enough knowledge, effort, and attention, your dog can lead a full and healthy life with you as its owner.
2 comments
Everyone understands that a dog is a big responsibility. Before you get a dog, you need to know the characteristics of its breed. My family and I are planning to get an Akita dog, and I found a great article here in order to learn as much as possible about the breed
Thanks for this article. You are right, a good diet, food and supplements can improve your dog’s health and prolong its life. Don’t forget about electrolytes for dogs, or other vitamins that they need.