Top 3 Ways to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy

*Collaborative post*

As all doggie lovers would know, taking care of your pooch takes a lot of work. When you first thought of getting a dog, you may not have fully considered what is required to keep it happy, healthy and strong. Then afterward, you realise that dogs are just like children – they need to be fed, loved, exercised and even entertained. When you decide to stop paying attention to any of these elements, your dog suffers – then you (and your home/furniture) pays the price. But when it comes to keeping your dog healthy, with a long, happy life, absolutely nothing should be compromised. Here are the top three ways of keeping your pooch healthy and in tip-top shape every day of its doggie life.

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Protect Your Pooch From Parasites 

There’s nothing worse than your dog being in a state of constant discomfort due to parasites. There is literally a whole host of pests that at any point in time, can bother your pooch. Apart from fleas, there are also mites, heartworms, ringworms, tapeworms, ticks, lice and much more. Each of these pests causes damage in their own particular way, with worms causing internal damage, whereas the other pests are more focused on the external skin and fur of your dog. If left unchecked, the result includes hair loss, weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting, coughing, and even death. The best way to protect your furry friend from these pests is to give them parasites control and prevention products that can be bought from any suitable website or over the counter at local stores or pharmacies. When administering these products, ensure that you pick the right one for your dog’s weight, as these medicines come in different strengths depending on the size of your dog.

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Your Dog’s Diet

After you’ve protected your dog from those pesky parasites, your next big focus should be your dog’s diet. It is essential that you research the best diet for your dog’s breed and size as not all dogs are the same. You also need to bear in mind the volume or portion of food that you administer to your dog. Be sure not to overfeed or underfeed, as both have bad health consequences for your pooch. The best diet for dogs should be high in protein with a lower proportion of carbohydrates and vegetables. You have the option of canned food, kibble, and you can also prepare their meals from scratch at home. Either way, be sure that your dog’s meals are well-balanced and nutritious enough to support their immune system, heart, digestion, muscles, bones, skin and fur.

Exercise Is Essential

Now that your dog is eating right, he should be full of energy and will need to be exercised daily, in order to keep his muscles and bones in good shape. Apart from keeping your dog entertained, exercise also stimulates blood flow throughout its body and wards off diseases such as obesity. It is excellent for your dog’s entire well-being, which includes it’s mental and emotional health – which is sometimes ignored by owners. Exercise does not always have to be aggressive and can still be done indoors if the weather is not suitable. Daily walks, playing fetch, running up and down stairs or even a doggie treadmill are all great examples. The best thing is that exercising your dog also exercises you in most cases, so it’s a win-win situation for all.

Apart from these tips, there are also many other ways to keep yourself healthy and happy. Do not forget the importance of your dog’s dental hygiene as well as vet visits, regular grooming as well as offering your furry friend lots of rub downs and cuddles.

Sarah x