We all want our dogs to be healthier as can be. Not only does their health mean fewer vet bills, but it also means they get to spend more happy, active years with us!
Luckily, there are quite a few ways you can enhance your dog’s health very easily.
Exercise
Just like people, dogs need exercise to stay fit and healthy. Exercise prevents them from becoming overweight, which is a serious problem with dogs in the USA. Plus, it can also prevent a variety of health problems – just like it does in humans.
Different dog breeds need different amounts of exercise. Some dogs need a few hours of moderate exercise every day, while others just need a quick walk or two.
Usually, dogs that are larger and bred to work require more exercise, including Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, and German Shepherds. Smaller, toy dogs require less exercise. Think dogs like Shih Tzus and Dachshunds.
You cannot put a dog in a backyard and expect it to get enough exercise by itself. Many dogs tend to lounge around way more than they should, especially when they get older. Playtime and walks are a must for a dog’s health.
Socialize
Most people don’t consider that their dog has a social life, but they do! Dogs should get a chance to be social at least a few times a week.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that these social encounters have to be long or even include other dogs. Just getting your dog out of the house for a walk in the park where he can meet new people and see new things can be helpful.
Socialization keeps your dog happy and on his toes, which can be important as he ages. Plus, the more often you take your dog out in public, the more well-behaved he will be.
Socialization is key to keeping dogs well-mannered. If dogs aren’t socialized, they will be more likely to get injured in a fight or cause injury to others. An unsocialized dog may also turn aggressive at the vet, which can make it difficult for them to get the healthcare they need.
Buy High-quality Dog Food
There are tons of different dog foods on the market. However, most of them are quite low-quality and not the healthiest option you could choose.
Just like humans, a dog’s diet is essential to their wellbeing. If you feed your dog better food, you’ll likely have fewer visits to your vet’s office. In fact, you can often notice an obvious difference in your dog’s coat and activity levels after they’ve switched to a better quality dog food.
A lot goes into picking a healthy dog food. It should use meat as the primary ingredient, contain quality veggies, meet your dog’s nutrition needs, and more. This can get quite complicated if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Luckily, there are dog food websites available that choose the best food for you. Reading reviews that use scientific metrics about dog food on a website like Doggypedia can help you make the best decision for your pooch.
Regular Vet Visits
Preventative care is essential. If your dog is up to date on their vaccines, they likely won’t get sick from any of the vaccinated diseases.
Furthermore, regular vet visits also allow your vet to notice problems and diseases early – before they’ve had a time to do any major damage. Many diseases can be treated easily and effectively if caught earlier but maybe substantially harder to treat if you wait to visit the vet.
Annual vet visits are a must, especially in areas that require an annual rabies vaccination.
Grooming
Grooming is also important – though some dogs are going to require more grooming than others.
Not properly grooming your canine can lead to skin diseases, such as sores and skin infections. Fleas and other parasites are also often removed with grooming. If you don’t groom your dog enough, these pesky critters can build-up and become a serious problem.
Almost every dog is going to need to be brushed at least sometimes. Most dogs will “blow” their coat once or twice a year, which means they will shed a lot more than usual. Brushing during these periods is a must.
Dogs that don’t shed will need grooming by a professional in all likelihood. Dogs like Poodles and Shih Tzus needed to be groomed or they can run into serious problems.
Almost every dog is going to need to be brushed at least sometimes. Most dogs will “blow” their coat once or twice a year, which means they will shed a lot more than usual. Brushing during these periods is a must.
Enhancing Your Dogs Health Doesn’t Have to be Hard
If you follow these five simple tips, you’ll likely notice a positive change in your dog’s health. Even if you can’t make all of these changes right away, just a few minor moves in the right direction could be all you need to extend your dog’s lifespan and improve their quality of life.
How’s your dog’s health!
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