As a dog owner, you are responsible for the entirety of your pet’s health and wellbeing. After all, you are in control of every aspect of their life, from diet to exercise and entertainment. Your pup will be happier in the long run if you prioritize their well-being and do your best to give them a healthy life. Here are some basic tips to remind you about ways to optimize your dog’s health.
Weight and Diet Management: Weight has a significant impact on the length of a dog’s life. Even an extra pound or two can cause several health problems related to their heart, joints, muscle mass, and lungs. Overweight dogs live about 2.5 years less than dogs that have maintained a healthy weight throughout their lives. Therefore, managing your dog’s weight is critical to providing long life with high quality.
Each breed has a weight range that is considered healthy. You can easily find this information online, but it is best to have your veterinarian evaluate your dog and provide their professional recommendation for your pup’s target weight and body condition. Ideally, you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without pushing on their sides; there should be just a thin layer of fat covering them. You should be able to see your dog’s waist curve inward from above; they should have a slight hourglass, as opposed to the appearance of a barrel body in overweight dogs. Their stomach should tuck up towards their groin when looking at them from the side (in overweight dogs, the belly will be swinging downward). Checking for these features is a quick and easy way to evaluate your dog’s body condition for yourself without having to wrestle them onto a scale.
Your vet will work with you to determine the appropriate type and amount of food you should give your dog each day in addition to regular exercise. Once you’ve figured this out, it’s up to you to be steadfast in your commitment to feeding your dog the correct portion of food each day. If they have regularly received table scraps in the past, it is definitely time to cut that out of their diet regardless of their weight since many human foods are not good for a dog’s system.
Exercise: While the specific amount of exercise needed will vary from breed to breed and dog to dog, in general, your pup should get between 30 minutes and 2 hours of exercise each day. For most dogs, walks are sufficient. Working breeds and higher-energy dogs will probably need more than that, though. Running them in a fenced backyard or dog park is a great way to let them burn off energy and remain healthy. For small dogs, sometimes indoor playtime is sufficient if they are chasing toys or pulling at ropes.
Vet Visits: Like with people, dogs need regular trips to the vet to make sure they are healthy. It’s important not to miss your annual appointment, as this is the vet’s chance to check up on your dog’s overall health, as well as administer their required vaccinations. Dogs also need proper dental care to maintain a high quality of life–after all, they aren’t brushing their teeth each day as people do, and people still need to go to the dentist twice a year! Your vet will recommend dental cleanings when they are needed; in the meantime, there are many brands of treats that will help keep your pup’s teeth clean.
Another way your dog’s health is maintained is by making sure that they are properly trained. Dogs who understand rules and boundaries are happier, and also remain safer. If you need help in training your dog, call Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training today.
