The responsible ownership of pets is not an easy task, because as sentient beings, pets need to be cared for throughout their lives. life, especially those that affect your he alth and well-being. It is obvious that we do not want them to suffer or be unhappy, however, sometimes we are not aware of the real needs of each species.
On our site we want to explain how to make a dog live longer and better, offering you 10 essential tips that every owner should know. Read on to discover them all and put them into practice as soon as possible so that the animals in your care are always well cared for and happy.
1. Bet on a quality balanced diet
Feeding is a fundamental aspect of caring for a dog, as it directly affects its he alth and well-being. Offering a balanced and adequate diet helps us prevent obesity in dogs, but also many other serious he alth problems associated with nutritional imbalances.
It is important to adapt the feed to the characteristics of each animal, taking into account the breed, age, sex, style of life or medical history, to provide the recommended daily calories. We can opt for a diet based on balanced feed, but we can also consult with our veterinarian about the possibility of preparing homemade recipes or following the BARF diet. Extra food, such as treats for dogs, should never exceed 10% of caloric needs [1] and the dog should always have fresh water and clean.
It is important to point out that there are many foods, such as fruits and plants, that are not harmful to humans but are harmful to dogs, and are even toxic or lethal, such as chocolate, onions or grapes. Therefore, you should avoid any of the foods that are prohibited for dogs based on scientific studies, in order to prevent poisoning.
two. Follow a dental hygiene routine
Care for dogs' teeth is not very different from ours, in terms of hygiene. tartar formation and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) are very common he alth problems in domestic dogs and, if not treated or prevented, can lead to very serious dental diseases, causing premature loss of teeth, abscesses and even infections.
The best way to prevent it is through a dental hygiene routine Brush the animal's teeth with a brush and even with a piece of gauze can be very effective, thus helping to prevent various pathologies. In addition, there are up to 10 different ways to clean a dog's teeth, some of them designed for those dogs that do not allow their mouths to be manipulated.
3. Pay attention to the care of the mantle
brushing is probably the most important routine when caring for a dog's coat and is especially necessary in long-haired dogs After choosing the right brush for your dog, we advise you to carry out a weekly brushing routine (between one and three times a week, depending on the needs of the individual and coat length) to remove dirt, dust and tangles.
In addition, this routine allows us to quickly identify any parasite and helps us improve our bond with the dog, since the majority love being brushedWhen the hair is full of tangles and causes serious discomfort in the dog, then we should consider visiting a dog groomer.
Regular baths are essential to keep the dog's skin clean and he althy, however, it is very important that we do not abuse this routine, therefore, we recommend a bath every 1 or 3 months at most. Don't forget to use specific products for dogs and follow our advice on how to properly and positively bathe a dog at home.
4. Encourage him to do physical exercise
Exercise is an essential routine that helps dogs channel energy, release stress and tone muscles. In fact, it is key to making a dog live longer and better. Even so, you should take into account the limitations of each animal, since intense uncontrolled exercise can be as harmful as its absence.
You should pay attention if your dog belongs to one of the brachycephalic dog breeds, but in general we can estimate that every dog should enjoy between two and three walks a day of quality, as well as one hour of daily physical exercise, whether intense, moderate or light.
5. Don't forget games and mental stimulation
Mental stimulation is one of the most important care of the dog, however, it is often forgotten. We must know that is as important as physical exercise, as it affects the dog's well-being in the same way. Providing these types of mental activities, whether through intelligence toys, canine skills or smell games, is essential to maintain good he alth and active cognitive abilities.
In addition, mental stimulation improves bonding with the owner, is helpful in dogs experiencing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, and prevents many of the common behavioral problems, such as destructiveness.
The environmental enrichment can also help us in this aspect, since offering a space with varied stimuli helps to improve the day-to-day life of our dogs. Tunnels, leaving a variety of toys within reach, natural gnawing bones or a nest-type bed are some ideas.
6. Provide a clean and positive environment
Although it may seem obvious, keeping the house clean with enzyme products, thus avoiding the use of chemicals, improves our dog's well-being and it does not bother his privileged and sensitive sense of smell. In addition, encourage tranquility, calmness and comfort will also make him behave in this way and be in harmony with us, seeking an ideal environment.
7. Follow a regular deworming routine
Deworming your dog, both internally and externally, should be an important part of its care, since most parasites can act as vectors of serious diseasesthat can only be prevented through this regular deworming routine. Consult with your trusted veterinarian which are the best products to deworm your dog and follow the established schedule.
8. Make regular visits to your vet
Follow the dog's vaccination schedule will help us avoid many diseases that have no treatment once contracted. In addition, making regular visits every 6 or 12 months will help us prevent and detect any changes in our dog, thus being able to offer a better prognosis.
Adult dogs can visit the vet once a year, but young dogs should visit every 4 months and older dogs every two years. Also, when abnormal symptoms arise these periods should be adjusted for greater safety. [two]
9. Rate castration
There are many advantages of castration, including greater longevity and the prevention of various pathologies, which vary depending on the sex of the animal and the time of castration. Likewise, it usually favors a better behavior related to exploratory behavior, sexual behavior and aggressiveness, being more noticeable in male dogs than in females. [4]
10. How to know if a dog is happy and he althy?
To finish, we want to show you some symptoms of a dog that is sick or has a compromised well-being. Do not miss any detail, if your dog shows any of them go to a veterinarian specialized in ethology to rule out any anomaly:
- Lack of energy
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Anorexy
- Obesity
- Bad coat
- Runny nose or eyes
- Pale mucous membranes
- Respiratory problems
- Skin changes
- Strange lumps
- Behavior changes
Finally, to point out that if you are thinking of adopting a dog for the first time, we advise you to inquire more into the needs of the specific individual and remember: a committed guardian has an impact on a he althy and happy dog.
