Keep Your Dog Healthy and Fit With These Useful Tips

It’s no secret that dogs are our best friends, hence, no wonder why a lot of people treat them as family members. Precisely because of that, it’s important to take care of them to make sure they live a long and healthy life.

Having a dog is a true blessing, yet, at the same time, a huge responsibility. It’s like having a kid that cannot speak the same language but still has various needs just like any other living being. If you haven’t had a puppy before, at first things may seem challenging.

But don’t worry. Just like with any other situation, you’ll figure things in gradually, and in time, things will become much easier. Therefore, you need to provide yourself with useful information to ensure you have a happy dog by your side.

Smart Ways To Make Sure Your Dog Is Having A Great Life

Choosing The Right Food 

A lot of dog owners are prone to buying dog food that can be found in practically any supermarket, often thinking that these types of food are perfect for their puppy. Well, this may not be the smartest decision in the world.

You have to remember that every dog is different, which is why you should take time to see what type of nutrition is the best for your fur baby. It’s crucial to make sure that he is provided with high-quality food and the right amount of it.

That’s something that can seriously affect his health and extend his lifespan. At the end of the day, you care for your dog, and you want to do everything you have to ensure he is consuming the healthiest food out there. 

If you’re confused about it, you can either talk to your vet to see what he or she has to say about it, or you can find some reliable information about it online. Huge dog lovers at Central Park Paws think that it’s of huge importance to gather as much helpful information as you can if you want your dog to have a long and joyful life. That’s why you should always take some time to investigate that.

Exercise Is A Must!

Depending on the breed you have, exercise can range from the basic ones that aren’t too demanding, such as a simple walk or play fetch, to something that’s a little bit more intense. Daily walks should definitely be part of the routine, however, you can always implement things like a hiking trail, take him to the off-leash park, and many other activities that can spice things up. If the weather outside isn’t the best, you can always exercise your dog indoors.

What Else Can You Do?

Regular Checkups

An annual wellness exam is something that every dog owner should do in order to make sure his pet is doing great. This is a good opportunity for your vet to perform numerous tests and health screens that can detect right on time various diseases and potentially spot any serious signs of illnesses. 

Besides that, it also wouldn’t hurt to go to schedule a dental appointment at least once a year to eliminate tartar buildup and plaque. 

Educate Yourself

Unfortunately, there are a lot of diseases that can strike your dog at some point during his life, hence, it would be recommendable to educate yourself on all potential health threats, so you can either avoid them or recognize them on time.

Unfortunately, a lot of puppies end up in emergency care because they’ve eaten something that’s poisonous or for even less dangerous reasons. As it was previously stated, having a dog is a huge responsibility.

That’s precisely why you have to read all about potential health conditions that may affect your fur baby and learn about the symptoms, so you can act immediately. Things like diarrhea or vomiting may occur because your dog is having digestive issues.

On the other hand, scratching may be the result of itchy skin, while peeing in your house may be due to urinary problems. Although pets cannot talk to us, their behavior can tell you a lot about their current health. Therefore, pay attention to how they behave and if you notice anything strange, call your veterinarian as soon as you can!

Don’t Forget Socialization 

Even if you have one dog only, it still doesn’t mean that he isn’t supposed to socialize with other dogs or animals. On the contrary. That’s why you should take him to the park and allow him to play with other pets.

This is an amazing source of dog-to-dog interaction, plus your fur baby will also get the opportunity to meet other people as well. This means that your puppy is going to have lots of fun, along with some proper mental exercise.

All of this is extremely beneficial for dogs because you will never have to worry about them being aggressive or destructive or potentially develop harmful house habits. Plus, every time they meet someone new, they are going to be much more welcoming and nice in comparison to dogs who have never socialized before.

Maintain A Healthy Diet

Just like with any other living being, dogs shouldn’t be overweight or even worse, obese. A healthy weight is going to help your fur friend have a long, healthy, and joyful life. Unfortunately, many reports have shown that dogs in the United States are either overweight or obese.

Approximately almost sixty percent of them, which is devastating. If you’re not sure how to determine if your puppy is chubby, then simply put your hands on his spine and run them over his ribs and back.

If you can easily feel the spine and ribs (of course it doesn’t mean that it should poke out) then it means that your dog isn’t overweight. If that’s not the case, then it’s time to start implementing some dietary changes. If you don’t do something about it, your dog will suffer from some serious health conditions in the future. 

Proper nutrition, exercising, socialization, and many other things that were mentioned are all part of a dog’s life. None of them can be excluded if you want to make sure you are having the happiest fur baby in the world.