When you own a dog, your number one priority is to keep them healthy throughout their whole life. That way, the two of you can spend many happy years together. Like humans, the best way to keep dogs healthy is by getting into some good health habits. And also like humans, a good diet and regular exercise are at the heart of a healthy lifestyle. Let’s take a closer look at some of the other habits that make all the difference to the wellbeing of your pooch.
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Put Water Down on a Regular Basis
Making sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water should be right at the top of your list of priorities. This is important all year round, but especially on these hot summer days. You should make sure that there is always water down in their bowl and change this at least twice every day. When you take them out for a long walk, you should also carry some water with you as well.
Help Your Dog Stay in Shape
Obesity is one of the top health risks for dog owners, and can lead to a whole range of issues. If you think that your dog has piled on some extra pounds, you should start by taking a trip to the vet and checking that there aren’t any medical reasons behind this weight gain. You may find that you need to cut back on giving your dog so many high calorie snacks and also reduce their meal portions. And, of course, daily exercise is one of the best ways that you can prevent your dog from getting obese. Try to keep this interesting for both of you by taking some different routes and alternative forms of exercise.
Keep Your Dog Well Groomed
Grooming your dog every 3-6 weeks should be another part of your regular routine. When you are doing this, you can get a better idea of whether they have any specific skin issues and if they need any dog flea treatment. Trimming your dog’s hair will allow them to be able to see better which can also prevent eye irritation. If your dog has particularly floppy ears, grooming can help to prevent them from infections.
Short coats usually require weekly brushing but longer coats may need more attention. For shorter coats, you should use a rubber brush followed by a bristle brush. For long coats, you may need a slicker brush to remove tangles. You should also make sure that you check for ticks as you brush – you could consider investing in tick prevention for dogs to help avoid this problem. Also, don’t forget to brush the sometimes overlooked tail and feet of your dogs.
Bathe them regularly
How often your dog needs a bath depends on the weather and what activities they have been getting up to, but every one to three weeks is a guide. Start the process off by brushing them and then add lukewarm water to a tub. You should always use special dog shampoo which doesn’t irritate their skin. If you want to distract the dog’s attention away from you, you could try giving them a bath toy to play with. Make sure to rinse them off well as leaving some on can also cause irritation. If you decide to dry them using a blow dryer, set it on a low heat so you don’t burn them. This also provides you with a good opportunity to check their ears for any signs of infection, in which case you should consult with your vet. With all this cleaning, it is also a good idea to look into washing machine cleaner for pet owners to ensure this appliance stays working properly.
Trim their nails
You should aim to trim your dog’s nails about once a week, but if you hear them clacking on a hard surface, this is usually a good sign that it is time! Most dogs hate this activity, so you may want to give them a treat after each session. Hold the foot steady, but also hold it gently. You should only snip off a small bit at a time, and you should stop if the nail feels spongy! If you accidentally cut into this bit, your dog may start bleeding, in which case it needs to be stopped using either a nail cauterizer or a styptic powder.
Don’t Forget About Their Oral Hygiene
Brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis can help to protect against a whole host of problems including tartar, gum disease, infection and tooth decay. You should invest in some specific doggy toothpaste rather than the regular kind as they can end up swallowing this and it can irritate their stomach. Ideally, you should brush their teeth on a daily basis. Ask your vet for some advice if you find that your dog is resistant to having their teeth cleaned.
These four habits should help to keep your dog healthier for longer. Obviously, there is only so much you can do yourself and your dog will need to go into the vet if they are experiencing any specific problems.
