Taking care of your dog can feel like a full-time job. You have to walk them; you have to feed them; you have to bathe them. At times, it can get overwhelming. Which is why we made a list of 5 tips and tricks for you to keep your dog healthy and strong, so you can spend less time stressing and more time loving your pup.
Subscribe to meal services like Ollie for fresh, healthy meals.
Diet is the most important part of your dog’s health. Store-bought dry food doesn’t come pre-portioned, making it easy for you to unknowingly underfeed or overfeed your pup. Additionally, it is made up of preservatives, chemicals, and worst of all: dead, dying, and diseased animals. But making homemade, fresh meals for your dog can take up a lot of quality time, which is why subscription services like Ollie exist; they offer you the opportunity to feed your dog the very best without slaving over the stove every day.
Exercise with your dog.
You can kill two birds with one stone by exercising with your pup. Take your dog on a long walk, a hike, a run. Set up an obstacle course for you and your dog, so you can get your sweat on together! Exercising with your dog not only keeps both of you healthy, but it also allows the two of you to bond and engages both emotionally and mentally.
Schedule your dog’s vet appointments in advance.
Taking your dog to the vet might seem like a chore, but it’ll save you in the long run. You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year for an annual checkup. Even if your dog seems to like it’s in the best possible health it could be, going to the vet is important because veterinarians are trained to spot problems you can’t see, helping to diagnose illnesses early on so you have time to combat them. You can schedule your next appointment before you leave the vet so you don’t forget to later on!
Bath your dog every three months.
At the very minimum, you should bathe your dog every three months. Along with bathing, you should try to brush your dog’s hair, clean your dog’s ears and mouth, wash their bedding, and trim their nails on a regular basis. It can be a lot of work, but keeping your dog clean pays off for you (they’ll smell better), and pays off for them (it prevents parasites, cuts, and illnesses). To make it easier, you can make your dog regular doggie grooming appointments to get down on the work you have to do.
Have fun with your dog!
It sounds like a no-brainer, but make sure to have fun with your dog! Take the time to mentally stimulate them with different activities like hikes, puppy sports, puppy play dates. Dogs are affected by anxiety and depression just like humans are, so it’s important to spend one-on-one time with them to make sure they’re happy – it’ll make you happier too!
Keeping your dog healthy and strong takes time and effort. These tips and tricks will definitely help you, but to be truly effective they have to become part of your routine. Subscription dog meal services like Ollie, dog grooming services, annual dog checkups, and one-on-one time with your dog will all help in making you and your dog happier and healthier!