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Caring for a pet is a big responsibility. You need to ensure you are meeting all of their needs to keep them fit and healthy at times. And as your dog can’t tell you what they need, you need to be the one who ensures everything is being taken care of. But despite the care and attention pets need, the love they can give you back is immeasurable, and they will repay you with love for all of your efforts.
This post looks at how to keep your dogs healthy all year round and what you need to keep on top of.
Flea, Tick, and Worming Treatments
You should treat your dog for fleas, ticks, and worms every month. This can be longer for worm treatment for dogs; some products last for two to three months. Using appropriate treatments for your dog’s size and breed can help you stay on top of these troublesome parasites and ensure your dog remains healthy all year round. Your dog can become seriously ill if you fail to prevent or treat infestations, and in the case of fleas, your home can become overrun quickly if you do not prevent your dog from catching them.
Healthy Diet
Your dog doesn’t need human foods or excessive treats. They also don’t need their food changed frequently. They need a regular, healthy diet that supports their body, promotes a healthy coat, and gives them all the energy they need. How much you should feed your dog depends on the their age, breed, size, and activity levels and will differ for every dog.
You should choose a food with a protein source and its main ingredient and stay away from foods with deals listed as the main ingredient. You can choose to feed wet, kibble, cold-pressed, or raw food; what’s best for your dog depends on your lifestyle.
Mental and Physical Stimulation
While walking your dog daily is an excellent way to tire them out physically, they also need to be tired out mentally too. Your dog needs to be challenged and use their brain to keep them happy and meet its needs. What works best for your dog will depend on their breed. For example, working breeds like collies require lots of mental stimulation, involving food games, learning new tricks, obedience, and agility training. In contrast, beagles, for example, will benefit from a lot of time sniffing and activities like man trailing or scent work to fulfil their natural traits.
Use enrichment toys at them to feed them their meals instead of a regular bowl, use their food as treats for training to avoid excessive feeding, and try to let them sniff daily. 30 minutes of sniffing can be the equivalent of an hour’s walk, and even 10 minutes of training can be enough to tire your dog out.
Conclusion
It doesn’t take a lot to keep your dog happy, but by making an effort to ensure they are well both physically and by all means, you can extend their lifespan and ensure they are taken care of as well as loved every single day.