Our dogs should always enjoy a high quality of life. The best way to provide it? By keeping them healthy! If you’re willing to develop the right habits and put in a little bit of work, you’ll be rewarded with a happier, healthier pet. And aren’t our dogs worth it?

1. Find the Right Food

Just like with us, a dog’s health begins with its stomach. You’ll need to put in good food to get good results, it’s a simple principle.

Finding the right food for your dog is another matter. A working Border Collie has different needs than a sedentary Bulldog, it’s not really possible to create one food that meets all possible needs.

You’ll also need to make sure your dog doesn’t have allergies to any of the ingredients. Some dogs even have allergies to meat, which means a vegetarian diet may be in order. After eliminating allergies you still need to look at the ingredients.

Real, natural ingredients always win in the end. There’s more to dog food than a big, yellow bag of Purina so take a look around and start feeding your dog right!

2. Take Walking Up a Notch with Agility Courses

Hopefully, you already take your dog for daily walks.

Some dogs need more stimulation than that, however. In that case you may be tempted to set up an agility course for your dogs in the backyard.

It’s a healthy way for your dog to exercise their body and mind. While not all breeds are good participants, most dogs will enjoy a few obstacles at the very least.

If you’ve got a decent amount of DIY experience you can set up a course extremely cheap. Why not look into it? Your dog may even end up good enough to compete.

3. Don’t Forget Mental Stimulation

It’s easy to forget that even the laziest dog is still an intelligent creature. Sooner or later they’re going to get bored of sniffing the same couch cushions and house plants.

That’s where creating mental challenges for them begins. Whether it’s a purpose bought puzzle toy or taking advantage of their sense of smell to create a scavenger hunt while you’re out…  giving your dog mental stimulation is one of the best things you can do for them.

It’s a requirement for working breeds and dogs with separation anxiety.

If you give them something to do, they don’t have to find something to do. Dogs can be creative when they need to be, but it’s often at the expense of your furniture and other belongings.

4. Regular Veterinary Visits

Taking your dog in for their shots at a young age is the bare minimum for being a responsible dog owner.

You’ll also need to take in your dog regularly. A good exam will let you know if your dog is in the right weight class, has good responses, and generally give you a picture of their overall health. At least once a year is a good idea.

There’s more to it, however, many breeds of dogs are susceptible to different conditions, especially as they age. A veterinarian will know what to look for and help you keep ahead of the curve.

Just schedule a visit! Even if nothing’s wrong, there’s always the chance to catch any issues early.

5. The Right Bed

Dogs sleep for the majority of the day. While many of them seem content to do it wherever they lie, you can seriously help your dog’s health with a great dog bed.

The best are comprised of memory foam. You should make sure it’s real foam and not just a few centimeters of memory foam over other, cheaper materials.

Orthopedic dog beds may seem like a bit much, but they’re actually important. The right dog bed will help reduce the chances of joint issues as your dog ages. It’ll also help keep inflammation and pain down for those dogs who do end up with them.

On top of that, your dog will enjoy high-quality sleep that will leave them well-rested. There’s nothing better than waking up to a lively, excited dog after all!

6. Do Your Research

When you buy a dog, the breed matters. Not just for looks either, it also means big things for both their mental and physical health.

Make sure that you do research on your dog and their reputed qualities. A smart dog, for instance, may also be destructive if it’s not adequately engaged mentally. A boxer may be a great, athletic dog but they’re not the best running companions due to overheating issues.

Dig as deep as you can. A dog is a serious commitment, and the more you know the healthier and happier they’ll be from the start. Knowledge is just the beginning, there’s at least a decade ahead for the two of you!

Leading the Best Doggone Life Possible

Your dog deserves a great life, but it’s your habits that will ultimately determine their destiny. When it comes down to it, you need to form the right way to treat your dog’s health. The above is just the beginning of the journey, you should dig deep and get ready. A healthy dog is truly something worth having!

What are your favorite healthy lifestyle tips for your dog?

Share your thoughts and comments with us.

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