A healthy dog is a happy dog. But do you really know how healthy they are? Sure they may seem like it, but there is more to a dog’s health than meets the eye. Read on for some tips to make sure your dog is a healthy and happy one.
Nutrition is a huge factor when it comes to your dog’s health. Ensuring they eat the right food, drink enough water, and receive the proper nutrients is the key to a well-balanced dog. For starters, dogs need a complete and balanced diet. They require protein, fats, water, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Proteins help increase nitrogenous components in their body, fats keep their skin and hair healthy, vitamins are necessary for their body’s chemical reactions, minerals provide structural building and chemical reactions, and carbohydrates give your pup energy.
If you feed your furry friend dog food labeled as “complete” and “balanced”, they are most likely receiving all the necessary nutrients needed to keep them healthy.
One tip is to add garlic powder to your dog food as an added benefit. Garlic powder helps repel fleas and ticks, boosts their immune system and helps with respiratory problems, fatigue, and ear problems/ ear mite infestations.
Some foods your dog should never eat are alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, avocados, and bread dough.
A healthy dog may be a happy dog but do you know what else is true? An exercised dog is a happy dog. If your dog receives at least one to two hours of exercise per day, they’ll be in great shape – both physically and mentally.
Lack of exercise can result in boredom leading to destructive chewing or scratching, raiding the garbage, hyperactivity, rough play/play biting, excessive barking or whining and unruliness.
The benefits of exercise include the elimination of common behavior problems, added agility and limberness, more confidence and trust in timid or fearful dogs, reduced digestive problems and constipation, a healthy weight, and reduced barking and hyperactivity.
Not just for the fancy breeds, grooming is a necessity when it comes to your dog’s health. Frequent bathing and brushing will help remove dirt from their coat, distribute skin oils, any flea or tick sightings, and helps you see the condition your dog’s skin.
Dogs with long or thick coats should ideally have a daily brushing while dogs with less hair can be groomed weekly.
A proper grooming session will include brushing your pup’s hair carefully, followed by a bath with a mild dog shampoo. Then, repeat the brushing with a finishing tool (this will remove the loose hair and dirt brought up by the first brush). Finally, check your pups ears. They should be pale in color, cool to touch, and odorless. Ear drops can help keep them clean.
Furthermore, your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. Only cut the white part to avoid hitting the “quick”, which will cause the dog to bleed.
Dental care is neglected by many pet owners. Lack of proper dental care results in nearly 80% of dogs having symptoms of oral disease by the age of three!
To avoid dental problems, consider brushing their teeth and gums at least three times per week with special dog tooth paste called Ozoil tooth powder. Also, try feeding them dry kibble as the abrasiveness helps keep their teeth clean. Make sure to schedule regular veterinary checkups and give your dog bones specifically made for teeth cleaning.
Keep an eye on your dogs teeth. If they are generally white with little to no plaque, they are healthy. If you notice any tarter or plaque buildup around their gums, you should contact your veterinarian to come up with a dental plan.
These four categories are the key to keeping your dog healthy. If you find your dog is lacking in any of these areas, talk to your veterinarian to come up with a plan to get your dog back on track. And remember, yearly veterinary checkups are important. Just because your dog seems healthy, doesn’t always mean they are!
Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.