Nutrition (your dogs diet) fuels the body and will ultimately strengthen or weaken the body systems (including the digestive system and the immune system). Nutrition can dramatically impact a dogs health both externally and internally, just like it does with people, so the saying "you are what you eat" applies to your dogs too!
A raw food diet is always my first recommendation, being the most beneficial and species appropriate diet for most dogs. Raw feeding consists of feeding your dog raw meat, raw bones and raw organs... it is their instinctual, ancestral diet! The next best option would be a balanced homemade diet, full of fresh whole food ingredients. After raw and homemade, grain-free high quality kibble is the next best thing. Make sure to be aware of dangerous ingredients, and learn how to determine what is high quality versus poor quality commercial dog food.
It is important to remember that dogs are also individuals and may have their own specific needs, so one diet make work amazingly well for one dog, and it may not be the best option for another. Find the diet that your dog thrives on, but keep their specialized digestive system in mind when researching diets.
A raw food diet is always my first recommendation, being the most beneficial and species appropriate diet for most dogs. Raw feeding consists of feeding your dog raw meat, raw bones and raw organs... it is their instinctual, ancestral diet! The next best option would be a balanced homemade diet, full of fresh whole food ingredients. After raw and homemade, grain-free high quality kibble is the next best thing. Make sure to be aware of dangerous ingredients, and learn how to determine what is high quality versus poor quality commercial dog food.
It is important to remember that dogs are also individuals and may have their own specific needs, so one diet make work amazingly well for one dog, and it may not be the best option for another. Find the diet that your dog thrives on, but keep their specialized digestive system in mind when researching diets.
Supplements can provide a boost to your dog's health!
Supplements can help strengthen the body where there is weakness. They can support health in areas like digestion, cardiovascular function, joint health and much more! Omega fatty acids are a wonderful supplement appropriate for every dog, as they improve skin and coat condition, support healthy brain function and support proper growth and development.
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent, and it isn't just on old wives tale! There are over 5000 peer-reviewed and published biomedical studies proving the amazing benefits of turmeric!
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are also highly beneficial for dogs, helping dramatically improve nutrient absorption and support good digestive health!
Glucosamine and chondroitin are also highly beneficial for dogs with joint issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia! That isn't all, there are a ton of amazing supplements that can keep dogs healthy! Local raw honey, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil are just a few of the potential supplements you can give your dogs!
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent, and it isn't just on old wives tale! There are over 5000 peer-reviewed and published biomedical studies proving the amazing benefits of turmeric!
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are also highly beneficial for dogs, helping dramatically improve nutrient absorption and support good digestive health!
Glucosamine and chondroitin are also highly beneficial for dogs with joint issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia! That isn't all, there are a ton of amazing supplements that can keep dogs healthy! Local raw honey, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil are just a few of the potential supplements you can give your dogs!
For the majority of dogs, good health and resistance to illness and disease is a combination of genetics and environment (including nutrition, exercise and preventive care). Dog lovers across the world may not fully realize how much influence they can have over the health of their furry family, but it is certainly possible to have a substantial positive impact.
When you target nutrition, proper exercise, beneficial supplements, appropriate vaccine and heart worm/flea prevention you can help keep your dogs healthy, strong and capable of faster recovery when illness does come up.
When you target nutrition, proper exercise, beneficial supplements, appropriate vaccine and heart worm/flea prevention you can help keep your dogs healthy, strong and capable of faster recovery when illness does come up.
Exercise keeps your dog's body healthy and strong.
Just like with people, obesity in pets can make them much more susceptible to illness and disease. Lean dogs are stronger, healthier dogs and it isn't difficult to maintain your dogs weight with some effort and research. Appropriate food portions and exercise will keep your dog lean and healthy.
When dogs are finished physically growing, exercise like running, hiking and swimming are phenomenal ways to keep dogs slim and muscular. Dogs should be getting a minimum 1 hour of good, intensive exercise every single day. Younger dogs will require more exercise than senior dogs or dogs with certain medical conditions. Some breeds need a lot more time burning energy than others. Cater exercise regimes to your dog based on their age, health, energy level and breed!
Remember that most dogs need more than a walk, which is why it is very important to select a breed (or individual) that suits your life style. For example, my two working line German Shepherd dogs (both of which are very active working dogs and family companions) require much more than one walk a day. We use intensive training, running, swimming (in the summer), hiking (3 - 10 kms) and much more to keep them healthy, happy and physically fit.
When dogs are finished physically growing, exercise like running, hiking and swimming are phenomenal ways to keep dogs slim and muscular. Dogs should be getting a minimum 1 hour of good, intensive exercise every single day. Younger dogs will require more exercise than senior dogs or dogs with certain medical conditions. Some breeds need a lot more time burning energy than others. Cater exercise regimes to your dog based on their age, health, energy level and breed!
Remember that most dogs need more than a walk, which is why it is very important to select a breed (or individual) that suits your life style. For example, my two working line German Shepherd dogs (both of which are very active working dogs and family companions) require much more than one walk a day. We use intensive training, running, swimming (in the summer), hiking (3 - 10 kms) and much more to keep them healthy, happy and physically fit.
Excessive vaccination weakens the immune system.
Research vaccinations and heart worm prevention (pesticides) and then discuss your dogs exposure with your veterinarian. A minimal vaccine schedule can reduce the amount of potentially dangerous chemicals and stress to the immune system that can have a negative impact on your dog. Make decisions based on your own research and the risk to your dog in your geographically location.
If you live in a country that experiences 6 months of winter, you do not need to give your dog heart worm medication year round. Alternative, all natural flea control solutions are also available.
If you live in a country that experiences 6 months of winter, you do not need to give your dog heart worm medication year round. Alternative, all natural flea control solutions are also available.
Always do your own research and consult reliable sources (your veterinarian, holistic animal care practitioners, biomedical studies, etc) as much as you can - you absolutely CAN have a dramatic positive impact on your dogs health. A healthy dog is a dog that recovers from illness faster and is more resistant to developing disease!
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