Five Easy Steps to Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy

Jan. 30, 2010 - PRLog -- As a dog owner, there is no greater feeling than arriving home from a long day at the office to a smiling, excited doggy waiting for you at the door.  Today’s fast-paced demands can make it seem difficult to keep your pooch happy and healthy, especially during the week.

Follow these steps to make sure you are doing what you need to do to make sure your dog companion will be around for a long time.

Provide a Comfortable Shelter with Clean Bedding

The first line of defense against the elements for your dog is his coat.  But even the furriest of dogs can suffer from too much cold or heat.  It is vital that you make sure your dog has a shelter that provides good protection from harsh elements like cold, heat, rain, and even wind.

If your dog lives inside, give your pet a dog crate.  You can line the crate with a blanket or towel, just be sure whatever you provide can be easily removed and cleaned.  Wild dogs use caves and dens to hide from things that scare them so a comfortable place for your pet to have as his own is a must.  If you’d like, you can even allow your animal to select a place on its own.  If a dog selects his own place, he is more likely not to be up at night bugging you.

Make Sure Your Dog Has Plenty of Fresh Water and Quality Food

Fresh, clean water and high-quality dog food are two of the most important parts of keeping your dog healthy.  Make sure your dog has a water bowl and food bowl in a separate place of the house so he can re-hydrate and eat undisturbed.  Water must be changed at least once a day!

Also, check around for the best quality dog food you can enjoy.  Some pets are picky, while others will eat anything.  Ask your veterinarian or local pet store what brand would be best for you.  Be sure to read the dog food ingredient list and see if there are things your dogs may not like, like strange sweeteners (like molasses) or high grain contents.  Also be sure to check the food for signs of mold or other signs of unhealthy dog food before giving it to your pet.

Keep Your Dog’s Weight Down

As is with humans, an overweight dog is not healthy and likely not happy.  Extra weight, and especially obesity, can lead to health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and even depression.

Dogs gain too much weight because of being over-fed and/or not getting enough exercise.  To find out if your dog is overweight, look at his body from the top and side.  From the top he should have a waist; from the sides his belly should be tucked up and his rib-cage outline should be seen but not highly visible.  If you can see highly visible ribs, your dog is underweight.

You can help your overweight dog by reducing his food intake by 10% for two weeks.  During that time make sure he gets a lot of exercise.  If he is still overweight after two weeks, reduce his food intake again by 10%.  If you keep repeating this, your pup should be within a normal weight very soon.  If not, consult your veteranarian to see what options you have.

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