Owning a dog is certainly one of the most joyful experiences that we get to have as humans. There are few things in life that compare to the bond and companionship that comes with having a best friend with four legs and a fur coat. Families all around the world have made countless memories with their dogs, and most people would consider them just as much a family member as any other person in their family. I know that this is certainly the case for me, all the dogs that have been a part of my life have been greatly cherished and have been with me throughout significant life milestones. Although their time on earth is always too short, the immense happiness they bring is always worth it. More people now than ever agree with me that dog ownership is a worthwhile endeavor. In the past decade alone, there has been an enormous growth in pet ownership, which goes to show how much we value having pets in our society today.
With this increase in pet ownership comes a larger population of pet owners in need of the proper advice and equipment to ensure that they provide their dog with a healthy environment and lifestyle. While there are many people taking a lot of time to perform the necessary research and to educate themselves on what they should be doing to maintain their dog’s health, there are equally as many people left in the dark. This does not have to be the case for you though!
There is a wealth of information in today’s day and age, and with a little bit of a time invested, you can surely learn some amazing things to implement into your dog’s routine. The hope of this article is to provide you with three positive habits that you might not have thought of yet. Be sure to start incorporating these into your dog’s daily/weekly routine ASAP to start seeing tremendous results!
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
If you are in the camp of thinking that you do not need to brush your dog’s teeth, think again. Dogs teeth are actually very similar to human teeth. And just like human teeth, they are prone to getting the same kinds of diseases, bacteria buildup, and infections if not properly taken care of. The biggest difference between our teeth and dogs’ is that dogs have sharper, pointer teeth than us humans, which is why it may appear like your dog does not chew their food as much as you or I would. Our flatter teeth are perfect for grinding and mashing, whereas a dog’s fangs are intended to be able to tear apart tougher meats. However, other than that, we are very similar to our canine friends when it comes to our mouths and teeth. Make sure to take their dental health into consideration just like your own.
And similar to us, brushing your teeth needs to be a daily habit. Any plaque buildup in your dog’s mouth will turn to tartar within 48 hours, and this can not be removed by brushing alone. Make sure to stay on top of your dog’s daily brushing. If you need further help on selecting the right products to brush with, there are many great resources that can assist you when choosing the best toothbrush and dog toothpaste brand.
Implement A More Natural Diet
Many people don’t think twice about what their dog is eating. They simply choose a dog food from their local grocery or pet store, and stick with it for the rest of their dog’s life. However, the research is showing more than ever that what you are feeding your dog has immense effects on their overall health, energy levels, and ability to prevent most diseases. I guarantee that you will not regret making this shift in your dog’s diet towards more natural foods. If you want to ease into it, I would recommend cooking three natural meals per week to see how they react to the new foods.
Before you stock back up on traditional dry dog food, take some time to do a little more research on whether or not you can afford to make a shift towards more real, natural foods to give your dog. You will be surprised at how much they will benefit in the long run. Also, with a little planning, you can do it for a lot less money than you probably think. There are a lot of great resources on the internet to help give you ideas on what types of foods to buy, how much food to give your dog, and even many great recipes to help get you started.
Improve Your Dog’s Sleep
Throughout my life, all my dogs have been able to fall asleep just about anywhere, anytime, and in just about any position imaginable. While often comical and envious (I wish I could sleep soundly on command like that), there are still important things to consider with regards to your dog’s ability to rest. Not all sleep is equal – just because they can fall asleep anywhere does not necessarily guarantee that they are getting the best quality of sleep possible.
Perhaps the biggest thing you can do to aid in your dog’s sleep is to improve their overall sleep environment. This includes giving them a quiet, dark place that they can associate with sleeping time, as well as giving them the proper bed.
Always Do What’s Right
With all of these excellent tips in mind, I know that you and your dog will reap some amazing benefits! Brush your dog’s teeth daily to help prevent the buildup of tartar and other mouth diseases. Feed your dog healthy foods to keep them alert, properly nourished, and physically fit. Finally, be sure to take some time to help your dog get a restful night’s sleep. If you do these three things, you are sure to have a happy, healthy dog!
