Becoming a dog parent is a big responsibility. You need to invest a lot of time and energy in ensuring they can enjoy a long, happy, and healthy life.
The process of raising a happy and healthy dog may seem overwhelming, but we will walk you through it.
We have put together 11 tips that will help you learn more about how to keep your dog healthy. Besides being healthy, these natural ways will also help you to keep your best friend happy.
Natural Ways to Improve Your Dog’s Health
Dogs are man’s best friend. Consequently, it is our responsibility as pet parents to ensure that our pets live healthy lives.
Most dogs live for 10 to 13 years, which is far less than a human’s lifespan. In addition to making the most of our time with them, there is always the possibility of extending their life!
We should make these small lifestyle adjustments to help them live comfortably for as long as possible.
1. Encourage Your Dog’s Innate Love for Play
One of the best ways to strengthen your dog’s immune system and encourage general well-being is to keep them physically fit. The storage of excess fat weakens the immune system.
With over 40 distinct hormones that promote inflammation, fat is the largest endocrine gland in the body. The body can produce more hormones when there is a small amount of excess fat.
By burning fat, exercise can help prevent inflammation and disease development. But exercise shouldn’t be a chore; it should be fun.
2. Feed Your Dog a Balanced Diet
The diet is the foundation of your dog’s healthy immune system. About 70% of your immune system resides in your gut.
It includes your microbiome, which is made up of hundreds of different kinds of bacteria, and the foods you eat have a big influence on how these bacteria are balanced.
Dogs eat a moist, meat-based diet, but at least 40% of commercial dry foods are starchy. The disadvantage of starches is that they promote inflammation.
But compared to starchy grains, the starches found in vegetables and legumes, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and lentils, are less inflammatory and acidifying.
3. Consider Certain Supplements For Your Dog
To increase the effectiveness of your dog’s immune system, you may want to consider including certain nutrients in their diet.
Incompatible ingredients can prevent absorption, and when you give your dog a lot of different products, it’s easy to overdo some ingredients.
A healthy gut flora has been shown to promote improved gut immunity, which in turn boosts internal immunity.
The canine microbiome is different from ours, so bear that in mind if you’re thinking about adding probiotics to your dog’s diet.
4. Harness the Healing Power of Dog Massage
Dogs can benefit from touch, massage, and similar techniques because they encourage healing and relaxation, both of which have an impact on general health.
Research on massage’s effects on animals is scarce in the veterinary field, but studies on humans have shown that massage can reduce stress hormone levels in the body.
Although we can’t be sure, it makes sense to think that massage might benefit dogs similarly.
5. Provide Mental Enrichment and Stimulation
If your routine and schedule are predictable, you will lose interest in enjoying life and become bored.
To stay happy, your dogs need mental stimulation, just like us humans do. A dog that is frequently exhausted is at significant risk of developing irritability, impatience, and even illness.
Dogs are meant to be active, so keeping them inactive makes them sad. By focusing all of their energies on something constructive, you could prevent unwanted positive effects.
This includes playing or having fun with them, as well as taking them for a drive.
6. Set Ample Time to Relax
Don’t overfeed, overstress, or overtrain your dog. Like all living creatures, your dog requires adequate sleep.
Permit them to watch TV while chewing. Make sure your dog gets at least two hours of sleep and relaxation daily.
Additionally, you should never make him do anything he doesn’t want to do.
7. Groom Them Regularly
For dogs, regular grooming is essential. It is crucial to keep each dog’s coat clean and in good condition.
Grooming routines vary depending on the breed of dog. Short-haired dogs may need much less brushing than longer-haired dogs.
Daily grooming lets you spend more time with your pet and check for parasites, wounds, and illnesses.
8. Visit Your Vet
It’s crucial to visit your veterinarian at least once a year to discuss your dog’s health, find any problems, and make sure your dog is fit and healthy.
This is especially important if your dog is sick, has eaten something harmful, is hurt, or you notice a lump or bump that doesn’t seem good.
9. Keep Your Pet Cool and Warm
To stay safe and comfortable in hot or cold weather, your dog needs extra care.
To prevent your dog’s paws from being burned by hot pavement during the summer, take them for walks in the shade or on the grass.
If your pet has little fur, ask your veterinarian about a sunscreen that you can use. Additionally, avoid leaving your dog in a car in the summer.
10. Maintain Your Dog’s Coat
Keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy is more than just keeping them looking good. It’s also essential for their general health.
Regular brushing and bathing reduce shedding, encourage the distribution of natural oils, and prevent the formation of uncomfortable mats.
Particularly in long-haired breeds, matting can cause medical conditions such as parasitic infestations, chronic ear and eye infections, skin irritation and infection, and even restricted blood flow.
11. Protect Your Dog’s Joints
As your dog ages, you can lower their risk of developing conditions like arthritis by maintaining the health of their joints.
A great way to protect your dog’s joints is to use a harness that distributes pressure evenly throughout the dog’s body.
According to the studies, this is especially important for larger breeds. For breeds that are prone to joint problems, it’s also critical to limit jumping on and off furniture.
Conclusion
In summary, give your dog the healthiest lifestyle possible, which includes regular checkups and vaccinations, rest, proper daily exercise, and optimal weight maintenance.
Give your loyal and beloved pet the same consideration as your family member, and act like a child when you’re around them.
Your dogs will live longer, be healthier, and be happier with you if you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
