7 Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy

A responsible dog owner wants the best for their canine companion. After all, they do become more than just pets, they become a member of the family and their health is a priority. As the old adage teaches us, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, keeping your dog healthy is better than trying to treat a health problem after it develops. Use the 7 tips to keep your dog healthy so you can enjoy many happy years together.

Quality Pet Food

Just as we are what we eat, so are our pets. Get your dog started on the right food track by feeding him high-quality pet food right from the get-go. Start him off on specially formulated puppy chow, then change his diet as he changes life stages to ensure your beloved dog is getting the proper nutrition for each stage of life.

Ignore the Amount

Bags and cans of dog food will list the amount of food that should be given at each feeding. Ignore it. The listed amount is typically too much food and will result in an overweight pet if you follow the manufacturer’s feeding instructions.

Let your dog tell you how much food he needs. A young, active dog needs more food than an older sedentary dog, and if you notice that your pug is getting a little pudgy, cut back on the amount of dog food given.

Exercise

The physical, emotional and mental well-being of your dog will rely heavily on how much exercise he is getting each day. Exercise is a must for lifelong health.

Two daily walks, one in the morning and another one at night, are needed to relieve boredom, exercise muscles, bond with owners, and stimulate the senses. In between walking times get creative and use games of fetch or an interactive puzzle toy to keep your dog active.

Puzzle Toys

Hide a healthy pet treat inside a puzzle toy that will require your dog to work to get the treat inside. This will relieve boredom and improve your dog’s mental health and reasoning skills, plus provide him with a healthy pet treat to keep him happy while you’re away.

Non-Food Rewards

One of the best healthy eating tips dog owners can implement is to find ways to provide Fido with non-food rewards. We want to give edible treats to show love, but all those extra calories are not good for Fido.

Reward him with a brisk belly rub scratch behind the ear instead of food. A game of fetch is always a win-win for use as a non-food reward. Fetching a ball or stick for 15 minutes provides a reward, quality time spent with you plus healthy exercise.

Healthy Recipes

When treats are a part of the bonding routine, consider using healthy, homemade treats that will provide your dog with quality nourishment instead of empty calorie. Many dog-related websites offer healthy dog food recipes for daily food and treats that consist of low-calorie, high-nutrient, meats, vegetables, and fruits.

While you’re checking out healthy dog food recipes, look for one that can be made and given to your dog when he’s feeling under the weather with digestive issues and needs to eat a bland diet.

Regular Grooming

Keeping your dog’s coat brushed, ears cleaned, nails clipped and teeth brushed will help him live a longer, healthy life. Regular grooming habits will enable you to find any abnormalities quickly and get them taken care of before they turn into big health issues.

About the Author:

Sally is a writer at Zoe’s Doggy Treats. She is a mother of two kids, and she has three dogs. As a mom, she has learned so much about how she can provide a cleaner and healthier lifestyle for her kids and her dogs.

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