Due to the better quality of today’s veterinary care, the life expectancy of domestic animals has dramatically improved in recent years. Nonetheless, the primary care dog guardians impart to their pets enormously impacts their health and well-being.
This indicates that you cannot solely rely on veterinary medical health professionals to do all the work to boost your dog’s life expectancy and quality of life.
Without further ado, let us jump into the list of essential things you can do to improve your dog’s quality and quantity of life.
Keep reading!
Always Opt for High-Quality Food
Food is the foundation of all care and well-being of your dog, which means that a well-balanced diet can do wonders for your dog. You will want to only opt for high-quality food that has sufficient nutrients to help your dog avoid many nutrition-related health issues.
To make dog food more exciting and appealing for your pet, you might want to choose one of the best dog food toppers and add flavor to the food. You will also want to incorporate feeding habits that are according to the need of your dog, as every dog has their individual food needs.
When choosing the right food option, you will want to consider certain things, such as the dog’s breed, age, sex, lifestyle, and medical history. This is one of the basic ways to provide your doggo with the right amount of quality food.
If you aren’t sure about the quantity of food and your dog’s nutritional needs, you can always consult the veterinarian about it. The professional expert in domestic animals can also guide you about alternate food recipes to meet your dog’s needs and make them happy.
Take Care of the Dog’s Coat
Brushing your dog’s coat is probably one of the most crucial aspects of caring for your dog – especially if your dog is a long-haired breed. Firstly, you will want to choose a suitable brush for your dog and then establish a weekly brushing routine.
Ideally, you should brush the dog’s coat between one and three times a week – depending on the length and texture of your dog’s coat. You can remove dirt and tangles from the coat by establishing a regular brushing routine.
Besides, the regular brushing routine will also help you assess the presence of parasites in the dog’s coat. Furthermore, grooming will help strengthen your bond with your pet, which is absolutely mandatory for your dog’s general well-being and happiness.
Apart from brushing your dog’s coat, you will also want to bathe your pet regularly. Doing so will keep the dog’s skin clean and healthy. Simultaneously, you will want to ensure you don’t overdo the bathing as it is unhealthy.
Ideally, you should wash your dog once every three months. Make sure to use the right bathing products that are specifically for dogs.
You will also want to keep the house clean with enzyme cleaners and avoid harsh chemicals to improve the dog’s well-being. You can also avoid agitating the dog’s well-developed sense of smell by using enzyme products.
Don’t Neglect Dental Hygiene
Caring for your pet’s teeth isn’t always different from your own. Dogs can form tartar and gingivitis, which are actually quite common dog health problems. If your dog’s dental issues are left untreated, it can lead to very serious dental disease.
Some of the common canine dental diseases resulting from untreated dental issues include premature tooth decay, abscesses, and periodontal infections.
Undoubtedly, the best way to prevent dental health issues for your dog is by maintaining an excellent dental hygiene routine.
Regular Exercise Ensures Fitness
A regular exercise routine can help your dog release stress and help it channel its energy. It is a widely known fact that regular exercise will make your dog happy, and it is also vital in helping your dog live longer. Nonetheless, you should take into account the limitations of your dog.
Intense uncontrolled exercise can be just as harmful as avoiding it altogether. Mental stimulation is just as crucial as physical exercise, but dog owners often neglect this aspect. As a dog owner, you should know that a lack of mental stimulation similarly affects the dog as a lack of physical motivation.
With that said, you can improve your dog’s quality of life by playing intelligence games, teaching your dog canine tricks, playing scent-based games, and letting your dog stroll around independently. Mind games are essential for maintaining good mental health and boosting the dog’s cognitive perception.
Moreover, mental and physical stimulation can help to improve the bond with your dog as well as the prevention of cognitive dysfunction. Mental and physical stimulation also helps decrease the chance of behavioral problems in dogs.
Mental stimulation will also give your dog something useful to do, alleviating their boredom and preventing behavioral problems.
