5 ways to keep your dog healthy

Owning a dog is an enriching experience. It teaches you how to be selfless, caring, and attentive to anything and everything your pet may need. And, when you own a dog,  you prioritize the importance of practicing healthy habits.

We know that you take great care of your dog and would do anything to ensure its happiness. But, even the best dog parents could use some extra tips to keep up their excellent work.

So, to ensure your dog is staying healthy, feeling happy, and living the best life possible, here are five health tips to keep your dog in excellent physical and mental shape.

Use these five dog health tips to help your pup live a long, happy life.

Buy food that meets your dog’s nutritional needs

First, you can ensure your dog is healthy by filling up its bowl with nutritional food that fits its dietary needs.

While it may seem that you could buy any brand of dog food, and it would suffice for your pet, not all dog food brands are created equal. Some are made with inferior ingredients and be of subpar quality that could compromise your dog’s well-being.

To ensure that you are feeding them safe and healthy food, look for brands that contain natural, organic, and ethical ingredients. At the same time, you may not be able to find specific brands at your local grocery or pet store, services like Chewy offer a large selection of top-notch dog food brands.

In addition to feeding your dog the best food possible, you’ll want to set up regular feeding times that you can stick to. Three square meals a day at roughly the same time will keep your pup happy and behaving well. Dogs love their routines, so once you set up a schedule, they can follow – they will know precisely when it’s time for their breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a special treat.

Use exercise to keep your dog active

The second way to keep your dog healthy is to ensure they get enough outdoor time and exercise. Movement and activity are significant for your dog’s physical health, mental well-being, and behavior. When a dog is stagnant for too long, it can cause them to become lethargic, irritable, or erratic.

Dogs need to run, play, jump, and chase as much as possible. So, when you have free time during your day, you’ll need to take your dog outside or for a walk around the neighborhood.

If you cannot play with your dog outside, you may consider hiring a dog walker to come and take care of your dog’s exercise routine. Dog walkers are a great resource and easy to hire if you’re stuck working or can’t make time during the day for a scheduled walk. You can find quality dog walkers on websites like Wag or Bark.

Watch for illness warning signs

In addition to buying quality food and ensuring your dog gets enough exercise, you should also aim to keep your dog healthy by looking out for potential warning signs that your dog may be sick or need medical attention.

Dogs are different from humans regarding showing that they are sick or need help. Sometimes, their problems are masked by behaviors that may seem ordinary or merely a passing phase. For example, some signs that your dog could be sick include: increased tiredness, missing meals or loss of appetite, increased barking, chewing, or irritability.

Of course, there may be days when your dog is acting out or not feeling 100 percent. But, if certain behaviors persist for 24 hours or more, you need to call the veterinarian for medical advice.

A big part of being a dog owner is being proactive and always on alert regarding your pet’s well-being and overall health.

Purchase a pet insurance policy

If you want to ensure that your dog is taken care of no matter what may happen, then you should consider buying a quality pet insurance policy. Unfortunately, accidents, illnesses, and mishaps occur.

And while you can’t predict the future, you can protect your pet by getting them covered with an insurance policy specific to their breed, age, gender, and where you live. You’ll save thousands in expensive medical bills and feel better knowing that your pet can get the care they need no matter what.

Fursure is a team of pet insurance brokers who can help you find the most affordable policy for your dog. They are pet parents too, so they understand the importance of keeping your pet healthy for years to come. To learn what type of plan works best for you and your dog, schedule a free consultation call with them to learn all you need about pet insurance and get your recommended policy options.

Show your dog love and attention

The final way you can keep your dog healthy is to show them endless love, attention, and affection. Keeping your dog in top physical shape is essential, but don’t forget about their mental health.

Dogs are incredibly emotional and intelligent animals and genuinely feel a deep connection to their owners and families. They are loyal and loving and do anything to protect the ones they care about. 

A dog is shown love, and attention is guaranteed to live a much happier life. As pet owners, you want your dogs to feel at home and part of your families. So, to do this, you need to hug them as much as possible, give them treats when they behave well and show outward affection to display how much you care.

Giving your dog ample love and attention shows them that they will always be your furry best friend.

Use these five dog health tips

Keeping your dog healthy is vital to ensure they live a happy and long life. Follow these five dog health tips to give your pet the best life possible: Feed your dog quality meals, take them for walks, pay attention when they’re sick, sign them up for pet insurance, and shower them with love and attention.

Dogs do whatever they can to take the best possible care of you. So, you must do the same to keep them healthy and happy for many years to come.

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