Your dog is a member of the family, right? Of course, they are. Unlike some family members we actually want our dogs around a long time. (just kidding) But in all seriousness, your dog is like your child or best friend and you want as much time with them as you can possibly have. I’m the same way. Our dogs eat better than I do, they see a doctor more often than I do and they get to play and relax more than I do. Let’s take a look at a few things we can do to add years to your dog’s life.
- Regular veterinary examinations – From the first time you lay eyes on your furbaby until the very end your dog needs to see a vet on a regular basis. Annual examinations are just as important to your dog’s health as food and love. By making sure your dog is seen by a veterinarian at least once a year you stand a much better chance of catching a problem before it’s a problem. If you’re a new pet owner you may have a lot of questions, your vet can answer those. Dogs can’t tell us they are having a problem or exactly what the problem is but with a head to tail examination can find things that are hidden. Prevention is always better than trying to fix a problem and in the long run will help your baby live a longer healthier life.
- Feed your dog High Quality Food – Dogs fed the highest quality food will have a shinier coat, healthier skin, and brighter eyes.
Benefits of a Proper Diet with High Quality Food:
- Promotes a Healthy Heart
- Helps Strengthen Bones and Improves Muscle Tone
- Improves Joint Health
- May Help Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers
- Better Digestive System
- Shinier Coat and Healthier Skin
- Better Immunity Against Disease
- Helps Your Dog Feel Better and Live Longer
- Exercise – An active dog is a happy dog. At our boarding kennel one of the best compliments we can is that “my day slept all day when we got home”. Dogs are active social creatures and do much better with regular exercise. Simple yet good exercises include walking, playing fetch, playing with other dogs, even a good game of tug of war.
- Weight Control – seems like common sense, right? You’d be surprised how many overweight dogs we see on a daily basis. I’m sure you want your dog to be able to play and have fun right? Obesity carries many risks for dogs just like humans.
- Decreased Quality of Life
- Decreased Lifespan
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Heat Intolerance
- Respiratory Disease
- Reproductive Issues
- Certain Cancers
- Heart Disease
- Decreased Energy