When it comes to bringing a dog into your life, it is only natural to want to do what is best for them and ensure they are well cared for and loved at all times. It doesn't matter if you adopt your next dog or you go down the puppy route via https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/lab-retriever-michigan/ to add a chocolate lab to your family; you still need to have their best interests at heart and ensure their health and wellbeing is a top priority at all times.

So how do you care for your pet to ensure they get only the best?

Good Quality Food

Whether you choose to raw feed your dog or opt for commercially produced wet food and kibble, ensure you know how to choose high-quality food. Good quality dog food will include high quantities of meat, veg fruit, and grains. If the main ingredient in your dog food is cereals, it might be worth looking for an alternative food that lists meat or single protein as the main ingredient. Look for dog food companies that meet or exceed AAFCO guidelines to ensure that your dog's food is nutritionally balanced.

Alternatively, you can home cook your dog's food; however, pay attention to the added nutrient they need to ensure it is balanced and they are getting everything they need to grow and develop healthily.

Mental Stimulation

Everyone knows the importance of physical energy for your dog, but by only focusing on this aspect, you won't be fulfilling their needs mentally. By continually exercising your dog, possibly via play or running, you might not be wearing them out, instead increasing their stamina which will result in a dog being unable to switch off or stop leading to overstimulation.

Instead, you want to focus on meeting your dog's mental needs and providing enrichment and stimulating activities that force them to use their brain. There are a few different ways you can do this.

Enrichment Toys

Enrichment toys are designed to hide food and treats and make your dog work to get their reward. Depending on your dog's age and ability, they can come in many different forms and varying degrees of complexity. From puzzle feeders where they need to lift compartments open or pull out drawers to sin toys where they need to rotate levels to access the food hidden beneath. For main meals, you can use slow feeders, which again are designed to slow down how fast your dog eats and give them some added stimulation.

Lick Mats

Lick mats are created to engage your dog in licking, which is a natural action for them and can aid in providing enrichment and calming your dog down. It also slows their eating, meaning they enjoy their food for longer. Lick mats can be used in various ways, from using them as a distraction tool when grooming or bathing dogs to cooling them down in hot weather by offering frozen treats spread on the mat or as a way to serve their main meals. You can apply a variety of foods or treats to the mat from their usual food, yogurt, peanut butter, fruits, veg, or spreadable meat treats, for example.

Chews

Dogs love to chew, especially puppies, and redirecting this desire to something healthy can stimulate them. From using natural dog treats such as chicken feet, rabbit ears, or fish cubes, for example. Or you can use durable flavored chew toys that replicate sticks, animals, and bones, for example, and are coated in a flavor that lasts for a long time to increase satisfaction without you having to keep handing out treats.

Training

Training your dog is one of the most important things you can do for them to ensure they are happy and healthy. While tricks are cute to see and fun to engage in, proper obedience and safety training is vital no matter how old your dog is. Putting limits in place and expectations for behavior can increase their safety. Teaching them to "leave it" so they will drop items they're not supposed to have or thresholds to stop them from bolting when the front door is open can help to keep them safe. Another way to train them is to teach them how to settle so they can get enough rest and have a safe place to go should they be worried or you have visitors, for example.

You can find many videos and social media accounts online to assist you with training your dog, or you can work with a qualified dog trainer to help you put those tips into action effectively and ensure you are doing the best for your dog. Training can also help you build a bond and trust with your dog, and training is excellent mental stimulation.

Sleep

A tired dog is a happy dog, as they say, and ensuring your dog is getting quality sleep can ensure it meets all of its needs. Depending on age and activity levels, dogs need at least 12-14 hours of sleep per day. Senior dogs and puppies will need more, while more energetic breeds might sleep less. Your dog needs to have a space to stop and relax, whether this is their own dog bed, room crate, or a place in the house. Enforce downtime regularly to avoid your dog becoming overtired.

Vet Visits

Vet visits can be costly. However, emergency treatment can be more expensive. Taking your dog for regular checkups can help you to keep on top of their health and ensure you are putting preventative measures in place to ensure they are healthy. This can be by adding supplements, vitamins, or probiotics to improve skin, coat, and digestive health or reduce inflammation and support senior dogs' joints and muscles. Your vet can also help you mitigate and breed specific health occurrences you need to monitor and ensure you know your responsibilities to keep your dog healthy.

Conclusion

Dog ownership can be extremely rewarding. However, it is a big responsibility, and you need to be aware of what you can do to ensure your legged fires are safe, happy, and healthy for their entire life.

5 Ways To Ensure You Are Supporting Your Dogs Health and Wellbeing