Preventing Dog Health Problems Can Be As Easy As 1, 2, 3

Our dogs mean the world to us- over the years, pet parents have started spoiling their dogs rotten. After all, how could any pet parent resist with the rise ofdog subscription boxes anddog-catered hotels?

A large part of spoiling your dog is maintaining their overall health. Many pet parents get into habits like brushing their dog’s teeth daily or giving extra-long walks, which are great examples of preventative treatment. As we’ll discuss in this blog, prevention is a huge factor in keeping your dog healthy so that you can spoil them for even longer.

The Importance of Preventing Health Issues In Dogs

Prevention is exactly what you think it is: keeping your dog healthybeforeany illness gets the chance to strike. This is the key to the overall health of your dog.

While going to the vet and filling a prescription may be necessary sometimes, it’s much more expensive and painful for your pup. Think about it- would you rather invest some extra money into feeding your dog quality food, or end up paying twice that amount in vet bills?

Without actively preventing health issues in your pup, a sickness may develop fast enough that it can permanently damage your dog’s body. While prevention is an extremely important factor in your dog’s health, it’s not too difficult to keep up. Really, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! 

Health Problems in Dogs to Keep an Eye Out For

When practicing preventative care for your dog, it’s a good idea to keep in mind the health problems they’re most prone to. For example, studies have shown that golden retrievers aregenetically disposed to developing cancer, whilesmaller dogs like Maltese are prone to respiratory issues. Depending on your dog’s breed, you may want to target more specific issues.

In addition to infectious health problems, you’ll also want to do everything you can to prevent physical trauma to your dog’s body. Little things like keeping your dog on a leash, teaching them to ‘sit’ before crossing the street, and honing their recall skills are significant in keeping your dog safe.

How we recommend preventing health issues in your dog involves 3 simple steps: feeding a healthy diet, exercising your dog, and practicing holistic care. 

Step 1: Feed Your Dog A Species Appropriate Diet

Believe it or not, what you’re currently feeding your dog may be doing more harm than good. Studies show that kibble, which is America’s most popular form of dog food, is actuallyhurting our dogs’ long-term health. The popular and convenient form of dog food may be quick and cheap, but cheap prices amount to cheap quality.

Biologically, dogs should be eating a diet resembling their ancestors’ food- raw meat. Domesticated dogs descended from grey wolves, which feasted on raw meat, fruits, and vegetables. Since our dogs evolved from grey wolves, it only makes sense that their diet should be similar!

Our dogs are omnivores with a high need for meat- kibble, which is primarily carbohydrates, does not meet that standard. An appropriately balanced raw dog food includes meat, fruits, vegetables, bones, and supplements for your dog’s optimal health.

When your dog eats a balanced, well-formulated diet, the benefits are extraordinary. From raw pet food, you can expect to see some of the following benefits:

• Shiny, smooth coat
• Smaller, healthier stool
• Clean teeth and reduced odor
• Healthy skin
• Strengthened immune system
• Increased energy and vitality
• Reduced allergies

These are just a few of the benefits that raw feeding gives to dogs- there aremany more where that came from!

Step 2: Keep Your Dog Active And Moving

Exercise is another essential factor in preventing health complications in your dog. Like in us humans, a lack of exercise opens up many possibilities for health issues- diabetes, heart attack, obesity, and depression are just a few of the most common ones. 

Keeping your dog physically healthy is simple, but requires routine. On average, a dog should be walked once per day, for a 30-minute period. This is not a strict standard, however; larger and more energetic dogs may need two walks a day, while smaller and older dogs will do well on just a 10-20 minute walk every day. 

Alternatively, you should be mentally exercising your dog, too. The brain is a muscle, which needs to be worked on and trained to become stronger. The more you train your dog’s brain, the stronger and healthier it will be.

A lack of mental exercise can cause more immediate consequences. A bored dog may resort to chewing, snapping, digging, and other undesirable behaviors, simply because they have nothing else to do. Long-term, an under-exercised brain can make your dog prone to dementia and depression, alongside various mental illnesses.

Mentally stimulating your dog can also be made easier than you might think! Setting up games for your dog, training them new tricks, and taking them on long sniff-walks are just a few simple ways to keep your dog’s brain active.

For a more in-depth guide to exercising your dog,read this blog.

Step 3: Practice Holistic Dog Health 

Preventative care is made possible by many of the holistic remedies that are involved. Holistic health is a health approach that involves natural treatments for the body, as well as the mind and spirit. Dogs have beenproven to display emotions and have a sense of judgment- which makes it important to take care of them mentally, too.

Examples of holistic remedies include using probiotics and prebiotics, massages, hydrosols, and natural diets, among many other natural treatments. Like all other preventative treatments, holistic care will be different for every dog. Dogs with joint issues may need more focus on vitamins and massages, while dogs with anxiety may need more conditioning.

Some Holistic Remedies You Can Use:  5 Holistic Remedies for Dog Health

Sinceevery dog is different, it’s important to see a holistic veterinarian for advice on preventative treatments. They will be able to provide you and your pup with the insight needed for a long and healthy life.

Find a holistic veterinarian here!

Read more:

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