Whether you have a young pup or an old-timer, you will no doubt want to make sure that your dog always has the best quality of life possible. There are many things you can do to help your dog get the best quality of care throughout their life. Here are some of our best tips for doing so.
Consider Your Dog’s Breed
You should always think of a dog’s breed before you start to make any changes to their lifestyle. One dog will have a very different background to another and you need to make sure that you are prepared to meet the needs of each one. For example, if you have a husky and a shih tzu, they are going to have very different needs. The husky is a sled dog that needs a lot of exercise to wear out, whereas a shih tzu is a toy dog that was bred to be a companion. While they still need exercise, they will never need as much as a working dog like a husky.
Even if you have a mutt, you still need to try to work out what their needs might be. There are several dog DNA tests that you can do to try to determine the breeds that make up your mutt. In addition to giving you some insight into what they might need from you as an owner, you will also be able to see the likelihood that they might be affected by some of the conditions that their parent breeds might face.
Ensure They Have the Right Diet
There are many schools of thought over what type of diet might be best for your dog. Some swear by a raw diet, others prefer to make their own food for their dogs. With the right research, you should hopefully be able to determine what your dog needs, and what you should be giving them. You might also wish to consult with your vet for some pointers. Once you’ve found the perfect food for your dog, you can still save money by looking out for discounts, special offers and vouchers, such as a Nutra Thrive coupon.
It can also be a good idea to consider supplementing your pet’s diet with some extras. Though you might have your dog on a very good diet for their age and breed, it might not be giving them the full nutrition that they need. There might be some key components missing that could be manifesting in the form of a dull coat or an upset stomach.
Giving your dog organic pet supplements such as the ones available from Native Pet could be the right answer here. Just as we take vitamins to bridge some of the gaps in our own nutrition, so can you do the same for your dog. If you are looking for a good way to boost your dog’s diet and give them a little something extra, this could be the best way to do it.
Stimulate Their Minds
You need to ensure that your dog is getting enough stimulation – especially if they are left by themselves for part of the day. Dogs are not solitary creatures, and they enjoy being around different people and exploring the world. You might take them out for a quick walk in the morning, but try to make the evening walk a lot longer and more fruitful. You should try to aim to walk somewhere where you can let them off the leash – if possible depending on your dog’s discipline and the area you are in – and give them some playtime either with you or with other dogs.
Make sure that you also select toys for them that are going to encourage them to think. There are many puzzle toys on the market that could be perfect for your canine companions. Place a treat inside it, and the dog has to work to get it out. Add in the pads that allow a dog to communicate with you by pressing a certain button, and you have many options to choose. Ensure that your dog is properly stimulated, and you should be able to enjoy a lot of quality time together.
Make Realistic Changes
Your dog deserves the best life that you could possibly give them, and there is always something new that you could try to make things a little bit better for them. Always bear your dog in mind when
trying to think about how you can improve their life. A pup that is a little lazier might not appreciate you trying to take them hiking after all!
Always remember to make changes gradually so your dog can adjust to them along with you. A sudden change in diet or activity might not be good for them, so a more measured change might be on the cards. Once the transition is complete, however, you should have a healthier and much happier dog on your hands!
