Improving your dog’s health should be just as much of a priority as improving your own. Every time New Year’s comes around, we make resolutions to eat better and exercise to take care of our bodies, but do we do the same for our dogs? All dogs will benefit from regular veterinary visits, a consistent walking schedule and a healthier diet using homemade dog food recipes instead of store-bought food. Let’s talk about some ways that you can improve your dog’s health (and maybe even your own) in 2020.
Schedule daily walks with your dog.
Daily walks are a huge part of your dog’s life with benefits for their physical and mental health. Walks provide exercise, fresh air as well as the stimulation of going outside and seeing the world around them. Daily walking will strengthen the bond with your pet and give you a much-needed break. Walking aids in digestion as well as maintaining cardiovascular health and stamina.
There are some breeds for whom once a day walks are enough, but some others, especially high-energy ones, require more frequent walks
As a general rule, it is recommended that you walk your dog at least 15 minutes, twice a day
Walks should be scheduled for the same time every day… dogs thrive on routine
Change your dog’s diet for the better
Are you feeding your dog a healthy and complete food that is formulated for their needs? A dog’s diet greatly affects its longevity and quality of life. Many commercial dog food brands out there that aren’t designed with your pet’s best health in mind. Instead of relying on commercial dog companies to make the. You can find simple homemade dog food recipes at Azestfor, which can be modified to suit your dog’s changing needs. Here’s a sample recipe
Boil chicken and remove the bones
Cook brown rice
Slice carrots and cook
Once your food has cooled, mix in a powdered nutritional supplement
Annual Check-Ups
It is extremely important to keep up with your dog’s annual visits to the vet’s office. You may not notice small changes in your dog’s health, but your veterinarian will. There are many health issues that can slip in under the radar and can only be caught by certain tests performed by the vet at their regular checkup. According to WebMD, a good rule of thumb is:
Puppies under 1: every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old.
Dogs 1-7 years old: once a year
Senior dogs 7-10+ years old: twice a year
Takeaway
As a new year draws closer and you’re thinking about the positive health changes you want to make, consider that your dog should have the same. The best way to do this is by incorporating regular exercise in the form of a consistent walking schedule, keeping up with veterinary checkups and using homemade dog food recipes instead of store-bought food. It’s never too late to start lifelong habits to keep you and your dog in good health.
