Dogs are our best friends. They’re loyal companions who love us unconditionally. But they can also be a source of stress for many people in their lives since they require a lot of attention and care. If you have an active lifestyle or work long hours, it may seem like the last thing on earth to want to worry about how your dog will react when you come home from work.
However, if you take care of your dog first, you won’t need to worry so much about what happens after you leave!
Here are ten tips to keep your dog healthy and strong.
#1: Give your dog plenty of water
Your dog may drink up to 20 cups of water each day. Make sure they have access to clean drinking water by providing bowls with fresh water daily.
Also, be careful not to overfeed your dog; overfeeding leads to weight gain, putting extra stress on joints and bones.
Always feed your dog according to its age and size. Giving dogs too much food can result in bloat and stomach ulcers, while too little food can cause diarrhoea or dehydration.
#2: Exercise your dog regularly
Exercise is essential for dogs’ health. Dogs need to get out and run around every day. Regular exercise keeps their muscles toned and prevents obesity. You can take them on walks or let them go off-leash in an open area.
Make sure they always wear identification tags so that people know what kind of breed they belong to. If possible, make sure that your dog has access to water while exercising. Water helps cool down their body temperature.
Also, make sure that your dogs do not chew anything when they’re playing with other animals. Chewing could cause severe damage to their teeth.
#3: Brush your dog’s teeth at least once per week
Brushing your dog’s tooth twice a week helps remove plaque from the gums. This prevents gum disease, leading to severe problems such as losing appetite, bad breath, pain when chewing food, difficulty swallowing, and even death.
It is essential to brush your dog’s entire mouth, including tongue and lips. Brushing only the top part of the jaw may miss some areas. Make sure that you use a soft bristle brush rather than stiff bristles. Soft brushes help avoid damaging sensitive parts of your dog’s mouth.
#4: Feed your dog a balanced diet
A dog needs a varied diet to stay healthy. It should contain protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet will ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients it needs to stay fit and healthy.
You might also consider dog food delivery services if you live in an area where it is difficult to get quality pet foods. Even if you can quickly get quality pet food in your area, a good dog food delivery service makes sure to deliver fresh products every time. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting low-quality or expired dog food.
#5: Check your dog’s ears regularly
Checking your dog’s ear ensures it stays free of infection. Clean any discharge using cotton balls soaked in warm soapy water. Do not use Q-tips because they might damage the eardrum.
Use tweezers instead. Never pull on your dog’s ears. Doing so could hurt it. Instead, gently push back the skin behind the ear until it pops forward again. Then carefully wipe away any excess wax.
If there are signs of inflammation, consult your vet immediately. They will be able to prescribe medication to treat the problem.
#6: Provide adequate shelter
If you live in hot weather areas, make sure your dog has shade during the hottest part of the day. In cold climates, provide him with some form of protection against wind chill. Your dog must be able to stand comfortably without shivering.
It would be best if you also protect your dog from rain and snow.
Keep your dog indoors if there are thunderstorms or heavy rains. It is best to leave your dog inside where it won’t face these conditions. However, if you cannot bring your dog into the house during extreme heat or freezing temperatures, then find somewhere else safe for him to stay.
#7: Vaccinate your dog
Vaccination protects your pet against diseases like distemper, parvovirus, rabies, and Lyme disease.
Vaccinations will cost around $30-$50 depending upon the vaccine used. It would help if you got all the vaccines before giving birth to puppies. Puppy vaccinations usually start between 8 weeks old and 12 weeks old. They last about three years. The first puppy vaccination takes place within 24 hours after birth. After that, follow-up shots take place every two months.
If you do not vaccinate your dogs properly, they run the risk of contracting deadly illnesses.
#8: Get your dog spayed/neutered
Spaying or neutering reduces unwanted behaviours like roaming, marking territory, and aggression towards other animals.
This helps prevent certain cancers such as mammary tumours and testicular cancer. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of getting your dog fixed, consider adopting one. There are many shelters out there that would love to help you adopt an animal companion.
#9: Take your dog to the vet if necessary
Vaccinations and regular checkups help detect early signs of illness before symptoms appear. These visits also allow vets to monitor your dog’s overall condition.
If a problem arises, they may recommend treatment options.
Regular veterinary care prevents serious health problems later in life. We recommend a visit to the veterinarian at least once per year. A vet visit includes checking your dog’s teeth, eyes, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, legs, feet, tail, genitals, rectum, mouth, neck, head, and spine.
#10: Play games with your dog
Playing fetch with your dog keeps both of you active. Playing tug-of-war is another fun game where you pull while your four-legged companion tries to stop you. Other activities include playing hide-and-seek, chasing balls, jumping rope, and running races. All of these are also exercises, so they keep your dog fit and happy.
Playing games with your dog can improve its social skills, too. They’ll learn how to interact with people better when having fun!
These ten simple steps will help you maintain good health and well-being for your beloved companion.
