Raising A Healthy Dog

Raising a healthy dog requires some dedicated effort but pays off in the long run. Check out all our wonderful tips to assure your puppy stays healthy!

Dogs are man’s best friend. Their furry and adorable nature makes us feel treasured and joyful. This makes us not only happy but also raises the question: “What have I done for my dog lately?” Of course, you provide a home, food, toys, medical care, and much more, but it’s essential that you increase your dog’s happiness. While you may want to keep your dog happy and healthy always, you may get stuck and think that you’re doing everything you can. However, there are many ways apart from the basics that can help spice up your dog’s life. We have quite a few fun posts on dogs you can check out such as How to Potty Train a Dog to Use a Bell & How to Make One! and How to Make 5 Minute Dapper Puppy Dog Bow Ties CHECK OUT ALL OUR PET ARTICLES HERE

As we have always had a dog our current dog is Oliver Sprout. You can read about him and also get a free potty training charts here:

Oliver Sprout & Free Potty Training Puppy ChartGrab a free potty training puppy chart and read about how a very special puppy named Oliver Sprout found a loving home with the help of the Humane Society.

Tips on How to Keep Your Dog Happy

Insurance

One thing I decided when we got our last dog, Oliver Sprout, is that I would NEVER not have insurance for him. This is the company I chose after some reserach.

healthy-paws

Rotate toys

Most dog owners only have one or two toys at a time, while others leave all the toys lying around the house. But just like humans, dogs also get bored with playing with their toys and want to try new things. However, this doesn’t mean that you always have to buy new toys. Instead, you may want to put the toys on rotation. This way, when you notice that your dog is getting bored, take away the old toy and bring out another one that they had forgotten about. Also, and we cannot stress this enough, NEVER GIVE YOUR DOG RAWHIDE CHEW ITEMS. Yes, they sell them and have for years. But they are dangerous. Ask any vet. Read more about that below plus a FREE CHART of SAFE TREATS FOR DOGS:

The Dangers of Rawhide for Dogs & Free Safe Treat Sheet
Unknown to many pet owners, rawhide for dogs has no FDA regulations and has caused sickness and even death. Read why this common treat is so dangerous.

Exercise your dog

According to the Pedigree Foundation, a tired dog is a happy dog. All dogs adore physical activity, and they will go crazy at the whisper of a walk. Your dog will gladly welcome the idea to take an extra-long hike or even join you on a run. Apart from the daily walks, remember to take your dog for a few short outings. Identify a place where your dog can run freely without a leash, like a dog park, to give them a more enjoyable experience. If your dog has any behavoiral issues making sure they get a walk a day can help alleviate those. And no, running in a big backyard does not count.

Spay or neuter your dog

Spaying or neutering your dog is one of the best ways to ensure that your dog is both healthy and happy. Spaying and neutering are common surgeries performed by veterinarians, and they require minimal hospitalization. However, these surgeries provide numerous benefits to your dog and family. Spaying your female dog eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, breast cancer, and uterine infections. On the other hand, neutering your male dog eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Apart from health benefits, spaying and neutering dogs have some behavioral benefits. For instance, when your female dog experiences hormonal changes, she will whine, cry, and bark. Intact male dogs will then do anything to reach females on heat. By neutering your male dog, you will prevent them from running away from home and getting into fights. Additionally, they will be less likely to act aggressively but still retain their instinct to protect you and your loved ones. Although spaying your dog has several benefits, sometimes it may cause urinary incontinence. If you notice unintentional leaking of urine, tips from petparentsbrand.com will help you deal with your dogs’ condition without treating it with hormone pills or injections, which are only effective in the short term.

Teach your dog new tricks

We often say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But your dog doesn’t have to be the next agility or obedience champion for them to learn something new. Teaching your furry friend something new is one of the best ways to spend time together. What’s more, you’ll also be providing your dog with mental stimulation. Therefore, don’t shy away from teaching your old dog some new tricks.

Provide love and affection

As the parent, your dog looks up to you for cues that may enhance and deepen your bond. This can be in the form of cuddling on the couch or even taking a break from your daily tasks for a positive affirmation every now and then. Just like humans, it’s the little things that count, and they will help you maintain a positive relationship with your dog. Keep in mind that it’s not a duty but a reward to display your unconditional love for one another. Having a deep bond with your dog is a powerful tool that will affect how your pet interacts with other people and animals, and also curb bad behavior.

Meet your dog’s nutritional needs

As a dog owner, it’s vital that you understand the nutritional needs of your dog. While this can be tough because it requires constant learning, you should keep in mind that your dog needs a balanced diet. You can start by researching some dog food companies that use high-quality ingredients to formulate foods that are nutritious and well-balanced. Then, you can choose a diet that your dog enjoys.  We are very picky on what we feed our dog and make sure the food is “grain free” as dogs are meat eaters and when fed grains longtime will have health issues.  Fortunately, most dog food companies provide samples that you can try without having to buy a whole bag. Other companies offer a money-back guarantee if your pet doesn’t like the food. However, if you decide to provide your dog with a homemade diet, ensure that you first talk to your veterinarian. Also, make sure that your dog likes the food you prepare and meet with the vet frequently to ensure that the diet meets your dog’s nutritional needs. Ideally, a well-balanced diet should include:

    • Water: We often say water is life. It makes up approximately 75 percent of a mature dog’s body mass. Water is also crucial because it helps dissolve and transport nutrients to body cells, hydrolyzes fat, protein, and carbohydrates for digestion and regulates body temperature.
    • Protein: They are important because they supply the body with both essential and non-essential amino acids that are important for normal body functioning. Proteins are necessary for the production of hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters, and antibodies. Your dog’s diet should include essential amino acids, as their bodies cannot produce the required levels. Additionally, because proteins aren’t stored in the body, your dog will need a constant dietary supply.
    • Vitamins: They are essential when it comes to boosting the immune system, regulating phosphorus and calcium levels, enabling blood clotting, maintaining the functions of the nervous system, and serving as antioxidants.
    • Fat: This is the most concentrated source of energy, and it provides the body with more than twice the calories provided by both carbohydrates and protein. Fat also provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protects internal organs, enables the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and regulates body temperature.
    • Minerals: Just like vitamins, minerals are essential for supporting life. They make up a major part of bones, assist in wound healing, transport oxygen throughout the body, and regulate fluid balance in the body.

 

We also check on this site to assure that the dog food as not had recalls etc. This site is very helpful  www.dogfoodadvisor.com You can sign up for alerts also to let you know when something has been recalled.

IMPORTANT

Dogs are MEAT EATERS and should NOT be feed high grain dog food. If you feed any animal, be it human or creature, what they are not meant to eat they will have health issues. As we are dog owners these are the two brands we have bed our dog. Its best to stick to one if you can as changing dog food can affect their stomachs. They do NOT need variety.  These two foods have not had any recalls through the years and are both grain free with different flavors.   We’ve fed our dog both of these for 5 years and he’s never had a single health problem.

Diamond Naturals   NutriSource

 

Bathe and groom your dog

Bathing time is one of the most despised times by all dogs. Luckily, unlike humans, most dogs don’t require daily baths and grooming. However, how often you bathe your dog will depend on the breed. For example, the Poodle and Afghan Hound require regular baths and grooming. On the other hand, some breeds such as Beagle and Boxer allow more freedom. When it comes to hygiene, such as ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and nail trimming, they are essential regardless of the breed.

If you’re tired of paying pet groomers or you just want to groom your dog at home, ensure that your dog enjoys the grooming process. To start grooming your dog at home, start by getting the right tools. These include nail trimmers, powder to stop nail bleeding, brushes, teeth cleaning tools, shampoos, fine-tooth combs, and blow dryers. Bathing and grooming your dog regularly will keep them feeling clean and fresh. Apart from smelling better, bathing and grooming your dog helps get rid of allergens and pesky fleas on the dog’s coat.

Praise your dog

Both verbal and physical praise is important to deepen your relationship with your dog. These forms of praise include telling them how great they are while petting them. Your dog shouldn’t necessarily do something well or have some level of training to receive praise. Sparing a few minutes to praise and pet your dog will make them feel more comfortable, loved, and secure.

Free your dog from fashion

You feel relieved when you remove your belt, earrings, or watch. Similarly, your dog will enjoy the freedom of having the collar removed. Therefore, consider removing the collar at night. Additionally, dogs don’t want to hear the jingling noise produced by tags. To reduce the noise, tape the tags together.

Give your dog its own space

Just like humans, dogs are social animals, and they don’t like it when they’re excluded from the family unit. Although sometimes the dog may have to live outside, most dogs do well when they live inside with “their” people. If your dog lives inside the house, it’s essential that you dedicate some space, such as a bed, crate, or kennel. This is where your dog will spend most of its time. Additionally, you need to set some rules that enforce off-limit areas and welcome the dog in other areas.

Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy

As a dog owner, your fluffy friend provides you with love, affection, and companionship. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to take proper care of your dog and keep it happy. This means buying toys, spaying, exercising, teaching new tricks, grooming, creating a place to call its own, praising, and providing love and affection to your dog. Making your dog happy shouldn’t be hard; in fact, you can make your dog happy by buying an affordable customized dog bowl. We hope you’ve enjoyed our article, and maybe even learned an extra thing or two.

 

Raising a healthy dog requires some dedicated effort but pays off in the long run. Check out all our wonderful tips to assure your puppy stays healthy!

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