When it comes to our pets, only the finest will do – after all, we love them almost as if they were children, so why wouldn’t we treat them that way, too? When a dog’s health and happiness is at stake, money is, quite simply, no object, and anything we can do to improve their quality of life, we’re on it – but how do you know if you’re taking care of them correctly?
It’s important to consider a few key areas to ensure that you are giving your dog what it needs. Ensuring a healthy lifestyle will ensure they remain at your side for as long as possible, accompanying you through the ups and downs of life and being on hand to put a smile back on your face whenever you need it most.
To make sure you’re returning the favour, take a look at these areas of your dog’s care, and make sure they are all up to scratch.
High quality diet
Feeding your dog is much more than just opening a can of food or two and calling it a day, it requires research and attention to detail to ensure that your pooch is getting a well-balanced diet. Dogs have almost the same digestive system as ours and have traditionally been fed processed foods, which can be detrimental to their health.
In recent years, the landscape is starting to change, with new foods making their way onto the market comprising all natural ingredients to ensure optimal wellness and vitality. Check out jugdog.co.uk for some of the best money can buy.
You certainly can’t beat feeding them fresh food as part of their diet – so a steak or some chicken a couple of times a week is more than just a much-appreciated treat. However, it’s essential to be mindful of what human foods are safe for dogs. For example, you might wonder, is watermelon good for dogs? While watermelon can be a refreshing treat for some dogs, it’s essential to know which human foods are safe to include in their diet.
In order to be sure that your dog is getting an essential amount of nutritional elements that food may not contain in sufficient quantity, you should add some supplements to their daily routine too. LivelyPaws health supplements can help to maintain the essential doses of vitamins necessary for keeping your dog healthy.
The quality of food that you provide to your dog influences everything about them. The right food will positively impact your dog’s level of satiety, muscle strength, weight, energy levels, and overall well-being. You should have a regular dog food subscription for the suitable type of food for your pet so they can get nutrition without delay.
Just like us, dogs require a significant amount of protein in their food to maintain healthy cells and organs. Protein ensures that damaged cells recover quickly and the amino acid profile ensures the healthy maintenance of the body. High-quality foods provide a controlled amount of carbohydrates for your dog to prevent them from getting overweight.
Regular exercise
Dogs require daily exercise to remain in optimum physical condition, and a wander in the back garden just simply won’t cut it. Make sure you are taking yours out for a proper walk at least twice a day, and take advantage of the weekends to go for longer strolls.
If your dog appears to be overweight, speak to your vet, who will be able to identify their ideal bodyweight and provide you with a diet plan to help get them back on the right track and losing any excess lbs safely.
From the age of seven, many dogs start to show signs of the middle-aged spread, so this is a good time to switch them over to a lower energy diet to help limit weight gain.
Quality of life
Ensuring your dog enjoys a good quality of life requires more than just feeding them and walking them alone. Bathing, grooming and playing are also important to keep them at their happiest and most vibrant, so ensure your dog has a good selection of toys and chews to keep them occupied and be sure to indulge them with the odd game of ‘fetch’.
Check them in at a doggie grooming parlour for a weekly pamper, and they are guaranteed to come back looking, feeling and smelling amazing. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t after a day at the salon?
No matter how old your dog is, there is never a bad time to seek professional help. Quality dog training from the likes of Bark and Birch can help build a positive relationship, teach life skills, increase sociability, avoid problem behaviors, and dramatically improve loyalty and overall companionship. Training your dog is essential to a happy, healthy life for you both.
Make sure they have a comfortable and luxurious bed in which to nap – just like you – and a clean and relaxing environment in which to enjoy their food. It all makes a difference to their overall sense of happiness and wellbeing, no matter how small some of these things might seem.
Prevention is better than cure
It’s always better to prevent problems before they arise, and the best way to go about doing so is to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle for your dog. Doing so can be fun, so don’t see it as a chore. Guaranteed to bring you years of happiness, pooches are known as man’s (and woman’s) best friend for good reason – and giving them the same love and care in return is the least you can do ensure they live a long and happy life, too.
