There is more to raising a happy and healthy dog than simply taking them for regular pet visits. Dogs are complex social creatures that require love, bonding, sharing, cognitive stimulation, and a certain amount of attention. “how to keep your dog healthy” is not a particularly difficult question, but it is an important one, and it can mean the difference in years of life to your dog. So while the answer isn’t complex, it does take tome old fashioned TLC, tender love and care, a bit of your time, and most importantly – consistency. Follow these steps to keep you dog healthy and happy.
#1 Carefully Watch Nutritional Content & Diet
Diet is extremely important to the health and well-being of your dog, perhaps the single most important thing. Simply put, given a free reign most dogs will eat anything, even things that are bad for them.
Dogs are not wild animals that have a highly sophisticated instinct of caution and self-preservation.
It is your job, therefore, to understand what is good and bad for your dog, how much they should eat and how much of certain types of nutrients they need. Step one to understanding how to keep your dog happy and healthy involves studying nutritional values for dogs.
For example, you need to find out what types of nutrients they need (Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids for a healthy coat, high protein for skin and bones and certain vitamins and minerals). You need to identify if your dog has special needs (many dogs have food allergies, trouble processing grain, or need probiotics to aid digestion for example). Also, you need to adjust feeding habits and nutrition based on the age of the dog and the stage they are in in life.
Puppies need to eat 4 to 6 times a day, whereas an adult dog shouldn’t eat more than once or twice a day. Older dogs may need Glucosamine and Chondroitin to help their body fight off joint problems. Find out what and how much your dog needs to eat to stay happy and healthy, then make sure they get what they need – consistently. Also, don’t forget to check carefully all the ingredients in the snacks you buy, and stay away from human foods that could be poisonous to your dog (such as chocolate, grapes, alcohol, etc.).
#2 Play With Your Dog
Sure it is fun to play with your dog, for you and your pet. But the fact is, it is also a key component of how to keep your dog happy and healthy. Playing with your dog provides exercise, and dogs should exercise at least twice a day, for 15 to 45 minutes generally speaking. Playing with your dog also provides bonding time for you and your pet, which is important to their health and well-being. Because dogs are naturally pack animals, the act of playing simulates the pack-like bonding behavior and is a crucial component to their cognitive health.
#3 Spend Time With Your Dog
Dogs need affection and attention. They are social creatures. This means that they need company and emotional quality time for an overall sense of happiness and mental stability. Simply sitting with them, petting them, praising them and talking to your dog is good for him or her. It will keep your dog from getting restless, depressed, or feeling angst (especially if your dog is left alone at home for prolonged periods of time). Yes, dogs get depressed and feel angst. In fact, it is quite a common problem for dogs that spend too much time alone. So the next time that you want some quiet time watching a movie, enjoy your quiet time, but enjoy it while petting or simply holding or stroking your dog.
#4 Stimulate Your Dog’s Mind
Dogs are smart creatures with logical minds. They require mental stimulation or they will actually lose some cognitive powers. Like exercise for physical health, dogs need mental stimulation to exercise their minds. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, through training, playing with dogs in ways that challenge their minds, and there are even special dog toys available designed to stimulate a dogs mind.
As dog’s age, they can actually experience Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), which is akin to senility or even dementia in humans. So playing with dogs in a mentally stimulating way can go a long way to making sure your dog is happy and healthy, because it trains them to think and keeps them thinking and alert. Make them earn treats and find them. Throw them a stick when you’re out on a walk. Find toys for your dog that requires that they figure out how to get a reward. There are many ways you can mentally stimulate your dog, just remember, it is important for their overall health and happiness.
In Summary
When you take a dog as a pet, you are actually adding a new family member. They require the same care, devotion, and attention as any other family member. The answer to how to keep your dog happy and healthy is simple. Love them, spend time with them, and make sure they eat right. Expend some effort to study and understand what is good and bad for dogs. Each dog, like a human being, is unique. Each dog, like a human, will also communicate to you what’s best for him and her, but only if you are willing to listen. There will be certain special needs that your dog has and you will have to find the best and healthiest way to address them. But the main thing that keeps your dog happy is loving care, and to be treated as an important part of your family and your life.
