Keeping Dogs Healthy

Like humans, our pet dogs also need to practice a healthy lifestyle. Undeniably, we sometimes can’t help but spoil our fur babies by yielding to the power of their adorable puppy eyes when they’re asking for something, especially when it comes to food! Other times, their incessant barking to get what they want, like going out of the house in the middle of the night, drives us into giving in to their whims. Nevertheless, as responsible pet owners, we must ensure that our dogs are not only pampered but are also groomed to live healthily so they may lead a long and healthy life! Here are some ways to get you started with a healthy pet lifestyle:

Watch their diet

It’s hard to resist the pleading look that your pets give when they want something. It doesn’t help when they look at you with a long face under the table when you’re eating your meal. Giving dogs bits and pieces of what you’re eating may lead to overfeeding which then affects your dog’s health, likely becoming overweight. Even overfeeding your dogs with treats no matter how good of a job they made when learning a new trick is not advisable.

Similar to humans, dogs have a recommended portion of food intake that may depend on their breed, size, weight, age, activity level, and overall health. At best, as pet owners, we must be mindful of what food we are giving to our dogs no matter how small the portion is. It’s also important to remember that the kind of food your dog eats—whether it’s store-bought, organic, or home cooked—does matter. You may also take the extra step of bringing your dog to a veterinarian and consult with what diet is best suited for them.

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Get them to exercise

Dogs also need to burn their extra calories and fat. A healthy diet must be coupled with an active lifestyle. Taking your dogs for a walk is a good way to achieve this. An even better option is walking with your dog which does not only benefit your companion but you as well! Exercising increases a dog’s happiness, reduces stress, and boosts endorphin levels, just as it does for you. Not only this, it also helps in managing their body weight.

Whether you take your dog out in an early morning jog, an afternoon stroll, or a late-night walk can keep your dog’s health in check. Furthermore, mental exercises such as teaching your dogs new tricks and listening to commands is also essential to their health. Keeping their minds active is just as important as physical exercise for your pet dogs.

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Bond with them

A happy dog leads to a happier life for them and for you! Dogs develop a meaningful relationship and a clear attachment with their pet owners the more they spend time together. By doing simple things together like playing fetch, going to the beach, cuddling in bed, and even running around the park can make your dog happy. After all, it doesn’t take much for them to be happy, especially when they’re with their hoomans.

Not only does this help in creating a more harmonious bond between pets and their owners, it may also help dogs live longer lives although not guaranteed. Despite this, our dogs live for only a short amount of time here on Earth. As pet owners, it’s important that we give them the best life that we can possibly provide while under our care.

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Schedule regular vet visits

Never take vet appointments for granted. Although it may be time-consuming and costly, it is a duty that pet owners must fulfill the moment they decide to care for a pet. Since our pets can’t communicate verbally, it’s difficult for us to know when they’re not feeling well or when something is wrong with them. By scheduling regular vet checkups, vets can identify any potential problems that can be treated at its early stages.

Early diagnosis is also likely to be less expensive for you than waiting until your pet’s sickness has progressed to the point where treatment is necessary or already ineffective. It is important to remember that prevention is better than cure, even for our pets.

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At the end of the day, there are many factors that may affect our pet’s health such as the environment or their genetics. But as responsible pet owners, we play a part in preventing and lessening the impact of problems that may impact our dog’s overall condition by introducing them to a healthy lifestyle, may it be through the food we give them, the activities we let them do, and even with how we interact with them. After all, we only want what’s best for our pet companions to ensure that they live a longer life with us. The best way to do that is keeping them healthy and happy.