Keeping Your Dog Happy & Healthy: Key Things to Consider

Dogs bring plenty of joy and love to your life, but in parallel, they also depend on you to stay in good health. Therefore, in addition to love and companionship, there are some measures you can take to ensure your dog stays healthy and safe. It is also crucial to get to know your dog’s habits including sleeping, eating, drinking and pee/poop timing. This will enable you to recognise any changes in these habits and seek veterinary help, if necessary.

So, in this post, you will get some of the most important tips from proper nutrition to regular check-ups every responsible pet owner should follow.

Key Things to Consider

Nutrition

Feeding your dog a healthy and balanced diet is a crucial aspect of their overall health. Along with that, diet can have a significant effect on your dog’s skin and coat, energy levels, weight, as well as gastrointestinal function. If there is ever a problem in one of those areas, this may be related to the quality of their diet. It is important to choose high-quality dog food, which means you may also want to ask your vet for additional suggestions. Once you choose a specific diet, watch your dog’s reaction and behaviour in the next four to eight weeks to ensure it is working well for them.

Another thing to remember here is that when you change your dog’s food brand or try the food for the first time, feed a small amount to your dog to check if your dog gets an allergic reaction or any other health-related issue. If your dog doesn’t show any symptoms within the next 24 to 48 hours, you can go with that food.

Read: Cockapoo Puppies in the UK

Stimulation

Dogs tend to respond well to variety, so when it comes to stimulation, it’s important to ensure that your pet doesn’t get bored with their toys or playing routine. If you are looking for new toys and supplies for your dog, check out Time For Paws, where you can find everything you need to keep your dog healthy and happy. They have an extensive collection of dog toys, you can provide your dog with the mental stimulation that it needs every day.

In addition, these special toys and treats are the perfect way to amuse your pet and create memorable moments. At Time For Paws, you can find everything you need in one place, saving you time and worries in the future.

Be noted that a bored dog may be highly destructive so you should take their mental stimulation very seriously.

Regular Exercise

It is common for dog owners to underestimate how much exercise their dog really needs to stay healthy. However, a bored dog with excess energy can quickly act out, which may result in destructive behaviour. Feeding your dog a good diet will give them plenty of energy, which will need to be released through exercise, walks and other activities on a daily basis.

If your dog is not given the opportunity to exercise, it will release this energy on your furniture, carpet, and even your favourite collection of books. In general, dogs should get at least one to two hours of activity every day, but this may vary with different breeds as some breeds may need up to 30 minutes of activity a day.

Grooming

Grooming involves a variety of tasks, such as keeping your pet’s nails trimmed, giving it regular baths, and brushing it a few times a week. This is also a great way to keep track of any changes in your dog’s fur, which may affect its health. Healthy skin is usually smooth, without any growths, scabs, white flakes, or red areas. You might also want to check for any skin irritations that could be a cause for concern. For best results, it’s advisable to consult your veterinarian for the most suitable grooming regime for your dog.

Dental Health

You may forget about your dog’s teeth until you notice their bad breath and wonder what may have caused it. Bad breath in dogs is actually not normal and it usually indicates problems with oral health. For example, there may be plaque and tartar build-up, which can lead to some serious issues. Therefore, it is important to focus on preventative dental care, which involves brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, using oral rinses, and feeding them dental treats. Also, remember to talk to your vet regarding your dog’s teeth if you are concerned.

To make it easier for you, you should start brushing your pup’s teeth at an early age, so they will develop a habit of brushing and would not give you a tough time when they grow up.

Vaccination Schedule

Vaccines are one of the best ways to ensure protection against various diseases and conditions including rabies, distemper, and parvo. The schedule and shots required may vary depending on your location and your dog’s health issues. Your vet will be able to provide you with information on the best vaccination schedule for your dog. Generally, puppies should receive their first set of shots at around 6 weeks and then every 3 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. It is recommended that adult dogs get revaccinated every 1 to 3 years.

By not maintaining a vaccination schedule or keeping the vaccination record, you may either miss a shot or may vaccinate twice which may result in a health condition you would not want.

Pee/Poop Routine

Dogs love routine and it is highly recommended to train them to pee/poop at a specific time. But remember, it is not you who decides what time, but you have to observe your dog when it was a puppy. Once you have an idea about the time your puppy/dog does its matter, you can then make it a routine task. It is not only good for your dog’s health but also for you.

Affection

Establishing a positive relationship and maintaining a strong bond with your dog is highly recommended and great for both of you. If you want to show your pet some love, there are plenty of ways to do so. For example, cuddling, petting, belly rubs, and even brushing its coat can help you strengthen your emotional connection. This will also encourage your dog to have positive interactions with you, as well as, other animals and humans. Make sure that there are enough people and animal interactions, not only in the early months but throughout its entire life as well. You can do this by going for regular walks and visiting friends and family.

Bottom Line:

Dogs are wonderful and they are capable of doing wonders. In general, they just need regular food and love from you, but in a broader context, they must be given all the said things. It is important for their overall physical and mental health.

Recommended read – How to add more joy to your dog’s life?