As dog parents, all we want is for our dogs to be happy + healthy. Help keep your dog on the right path by following these basic health tips!
1. Give your dog proper nutrition
Nutrition is fundamental for keeping all dogs healthy. Diet directly affects your dog’s skin and coat, weight, energy, and digestive function. One of the easiest ways to make sure your dog's diet is healthy is to choose a high-quality food.
Top tip: Read the food labels and look for food/companies that use high-quality ingredients. Choose foods with meat-based items listed as the first two to three ingredients and avoid foods that contain excess chemical preservatives and high amounts of fillers like wheat, corn, and soy.
2. Exercise with your dog daily
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining your dog's optimal physical and mental health.
One of the most important things daily walks can do is keep your dog at a healthy weight. If your dog is overweight, it can lead to a multitude of problems that are uncomfortable and dangerous for your dog.
Also, introducing exercise into their daily routine stimulates the production of serotonin (the feel-good chemical) - hello happy!
Basically exercising affects everything from your dog’s weight, to joints and skin, to their overall health and happiness.
3. Keep your dog's teeth clean
Sometimes it's easy to forget about your dog's teeth...until they get all close to your face and you get a whiff of their stinky breath. Did you know that bad breath in dogs is not normal? It's actually a sign of problems in your dog's mouth. The number one problem: plaque and tartar build-up, which can lead to some serious health problems. To help, you can brush your dog's teeth, use oral rinses, feed dental treats, or all of the above! But as you might have guessed, we recommend getting an antler chew or two for your dog to chew on! Chewing on antlers can help scrape away plaque buildup, and improve your dog's dental hygiene and strengthen their teeth
4. Have a regular grooming routine
All dogs need some degree of basic grooming, like nail trims and regular baths. Basically, grooming isn't just for show dogs or “fancy” dogs. Just like people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel their best.
Your dog’s grooming needs may vary based on their breed, hair type, lifestyle, and health. Some dogs may also have health issues so it's important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions on how best to groom your dog.
5. Find veterinary care that you can count on
It's super important to find a veterinarian that you can trust and have a good working relationship with, especially since regular vet visits are crucial to your dog's overall health.
It's recommended for your dog to visit the vet at least once a year for a routine wellness exam. Healthy adult dogs typically need to see the vet annually for a physical exam, vaccines and possible also testing for heartworms or parasites. However, if your dog has special needs, a chronic health condition, or another illness, you may need to see the vet more frequently and strictly follow a wellness visit routine.
Having a good connection with your vet can lead to long-term benefits for you and your dog!
With these basic health tips, you can find it easier to help manage your dog's health and provide them with a happy life!
