When you get a dog, they become a part of your family. And, as with your other family members, you will want to take the best possible care of them.
To do this, you will need to make sure that your dog is both happy and healthy. This means going above and beyond. While most dogs will be able to survive as long as they have the basics such as food, water, and shelter, there are a few things you can do to improve your dog’s quality of life, and we’re here to share them.
Get them the right food
Of course, your dog needs food to survive, which means food is an absolute necessity. However, not all dog foods are created equally. You need to make sure that you are giving your dog food that is fit for their breed and age, and you should also opt for higher quality food options, even if they may be a bit pricier.
If you truly want to give your dog the best food for them, have a look at this company that offers UK dog food tailored to your dog.
Exercise them
Dogs are active creatures. As you can imagine, their level of activity and energy will depend on their breed, but most dogs will need at least some form of exercise each day.
Ideally, you should try to walk your dog at least once a day, but if you can’t, try to take some time to play with them in the garden. If you have a very energetic dog, you can even start going for runs or hikes with them to help them use up their energy.
Socialize your dog
If you only have one dog and you are giving them more than enough attention, that’s fine. But keep in mind that if you are out of the house for most of the day and your dog is home alone, they may get quite lonely.
Most dogs are social creatures, although it will depend on your dog’s nature as well as their breed – sometimes, dogs don’t get along with other dogs. But if your dog does get along with other animals, you should try to socialize them. This doesn’t mean you need to get another dog if you don’t want to; it simply means taking your dog to a dog park or similar environment so that they can interact with other dogs. If you do plan on getting a new dog, this post may have some helpful tips for introducing your dog to your new dog.
Give them attention
Your dog needs attention. Not only will this make them happy, but if your dog isn’t getting enough love and attention, they could get depressed.
Your dog’s entire life revolves around you, so if you never spend any time with them, it’s bound to affect them. No matter how busy you are, you should try to carve out some time each day to spend with your dog.
Take your dog to the vet when needed
We get it – vet bills can be expensive. Still, if your dog is sick or in pain, you need to get them to a vet as soon as possible so that they can get checked out and get the help they need. Remember that your dog relies on you to take care of them.
After all, a dog is for life, and when you first got your pet, you committed to the responsibility of raising them, so you need to do the responsible thing and take them to the vet when needed. If you are worried about possible vet fees, you may want to look into getting pet insurance.
Get them toys
Dogs need to be mentally and physically stimulated in order for them to be their happiest, healthiest selves. A great way of enriching your dog’s life is thus to get a toy since this will keep them busy.
It’s also beneficial for you, since toys will keep your dog busy which means they will be less likely to get into mischief, and if they have a toy to chew on, they may steer clear of chewing your shoes.
Sterilize your dog
As cute as puppies may be, pregnancy is not something you want to put your dog through. There are so many stray dogs out there who need homes, so there’s no reason why more dogs should be having babies.
Also keep in mind that if your dog isn’t sterilized, they may be at higher risk for health problems. And if they do somehow end up getting pregnant, it can be both risky and traumatizing for them. There are many reasons why you should spay or neuter your pet, so be sure to do it as soon as they are old enough.
Vaccinate them
There are plenty of diseases out there that can harm your dog, and in some cases, they may even be able to harm you. This is why it’s so incredibly important to get your dog vaccinated as soon as you can.
In some cases, they may only need a single vaccination. However, you will likely still need to take your dog for yearly shots to ensure that they are as safe and protected as possible. This is important for all dogs, but it’s even more important if your dog is regularly in contact with other dogs. While the vaccination process may not be fun for them, it’s in their best interests.
In conclusion
In conclusion, keeping your dog happy and healthy really isn’t as hard as it may seem. And if you can’t do everything on this list, that’s fine too!
The most important things to do are to make sure your dog has their basic needs met and that you give them lots of love and attention. It’s also important to know your dog well so that you can notice if something is off with them, as this will allow you to take the right steps to get them back to their normal self.