Offering Some General Advice On How To Improve Your Dog’s Overall Health In Honor Of Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Being a dog owner is a truly wonderful experience that everyone should have at least once in their lives. However, being a dog owner isn’t always easy. To give your dog the best quality of life, it can often take a lot of effort and hard work. This is especially true when it comes to your dog’s overall health.
Being a responsible dog owner is so important that there is a month-long holiday dedicated to it. September is widely celebrated as Responsible Dog Ownership Month! In honor of this fantastic holiday, this article will go over some basic guidelines to keeping your dog healthy and happy.
A dog receiving a well balanced meal
A Nutritious Diet
The important aspect to a dog’s health is their diet. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat both meat and plant matter. Just like humans, dogs need a well-balanced diet. This includes an appropriate amount of minerals, vitamins, certain essential amino acids (from proteins), and specific essential fatty acids (from fats), according to VCA Animal Hospital.
Simply put, give your dog the highest quality food you can afford. To determine the quality of a dog food, check the ingredients list. The ingredients are listed in order by weight. Stick to dog foods that have a short list of quality ingredients that you can recognize. Avoid products that contain fillers or additives as these are not good for your dog. For more information on picking the best dog food, click here.
A dog playing fetch
Routine Exercise
Besides nutrition, dogs also need routine daily exercise. Exercise is a crucial aspect to dog behavior and health. Even something as simple as daily walks will help dogs maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, it will also help prevent health problems like obesity and diabetes.
Dogs enjoy having structure and routines in their lives. That’s why we highly recommend making exercise a daily routine for your dog. How much exercise your dog needs will vary depending on their age, breed, and disposition. On average, an adult dog should go for 2 walks a day, getting an average of 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise. For more information on how much daily exercise your dog needs, click here.
A happy dog going for a walk
Daily Stimulation
Dogs can become bored just like people can become bored without stimulation. When dogs become bored, they tend to act out. This includes things like chewing on furniture, going through the garbage, or excessive barking. This kind of bad behavior can easily be avoided when your dog is getting some form of daily stimulation.
One great way to keep your dog stimulated is by taking them on daily walks. Ideally, take them on a walk to a safe & comfortable place. For example, local parks and hiking trails have lots of new things for your dog to see and smell that will keep them well entertained and stimulated.
Another great way to stimulate your dog is by playing with them. Daily playtime, like fetch or tug-of-war, will provide your dog with both exercise and stimulation. It’s also a great bonding experience for you and your furry friend.
A dog being groomed
Grooming
As the expression goes, “if you look good, you feel good.” This applies to our dogs as well. Having your dog groomed regularly is essential to their overall health. Not only will they look better, but they will feel better. When a dog’s fur coat becomes too long, it can tangle and become matted. This is very uncomfortable and potentially painful to dogs.
Additionally, a dog’s nails should be clipped regularly too. Similar to the matted fur coat, overgrown dog nails can be painful. This can be avoided by regularly clipping them yourself or having your groomer clip them. How often your dog should be groomed and nail clipped will depend on their breed. For more information about how often your dog should be groomed, click here.
A professional do walker
Hiring A Pet Sitter Will Keep Your Dog Healthy!
Do you or someone you know need a pet sitter? Then look no further than ParaMount Pet Care! We are the leading pet care professionals in the Luzerne County area. All of our sitters are insured, bonded, trained in pet CPR & first aid, and dedicated to caring for your pets.
We offer a wide variety of pet sitting services such as in-home pet sitting, routine dog walking, overnight stays, and more! Click here to see all of our services! Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 570-814-1037. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. We post adorable pictures of pets everyday that you won’t want to miss!
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