We love our dogs so much that we consider them members of our family! It is because of that deep bond - that lifelong friendship - that we strive to provide the best care we can so that we can help them live as long as possible. While their precious time with us will never be long enough, we CAN be proactive about doing what we can to extend their life and keep them healthy, fit and strong well into their senior years!
Here are six ways you can help your dog live a long and healthy life!
Here are six ways you can help your dog live a long and healthy life!
Diet and nutrition is first and foremost your best opportunity to create health and vigor in your dog. The body is fueled by food and all of the systems in the body (digestive, immune, etc.) gain strength from proper, species appropriate nutrition.
Dogs are facultative carnivores, they thrive on a carnivore diet. A raw food diet for dogs is the best nutrition you can provide! A homemade dog food diet is the next best thing, full of real food that provides whole nutrition. If neither of those options are for you, select a high quality grain-free commercial kibble!
Dogs are facultative carnivores, they thrive on a carnivore diet. A raw food diet for dogs is the best nutrition you can provide! A homemade dog food diet is the next best thing, full of real food that provides whole nutrition. If neither of those options are for you, select a high quality grain-free commercial kibble!
Supplements to your dog's diet can provide a nutritional boost that will ultimately strengthen your dog's body and add those nutrients that may be missing in the diet. Supplements can help to provide a complete, high quality nutrient profile that will make your dog more resistant to disease and illness by strengthening and nurturing the body.
My most highly recommended supplements include probiotics, omega fatty acids, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, seaweed/kelp and raw local honey. There are many more supplements that can have a major positive impact on your dog's body!
My most highly recommended supplements include probiotics, omega fatty acids, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, seaweed/kelp and raw local honey. There are many more supplements that can have a major positive impact on your dog's body!
Don't underestimate the importance of good exercise. Exercise works the same for dogs as it does for us: it strengthens the body, keeps the heart strong and keeps the digestive tract moving and cleaning itself out. Dogs, as a species, are not designed to be lazy. They are designed to walk and run great distances, and we must honor that if we want to keep them healthy and fit.
Running, swimming, hiking, fetch, frisbee, bike rides - all of these things are ideal for dogs who are physically capable of doing them! Dogs should get a minimum of 2 hours exercise every single day - get their hearts pumping to keep them strong!
Running, swimming, hiking, fetch, frisbee, bike rides - all of these things are ideal for dogs who are physically capable of doing them! Dogs should get a minimum of 2 hours exercise every single day - get their hearts pumping to keep them strong!
Senior dogs are notorious for having poor oral health. Plaque and tartar build up can cause infections to enter the blood stream, promote the overgrowth of bad bacteria, lead to gum disease and will also result in tooth decay. These things are easily prevented with proper oral care and will also make it more pleasant to get kisses and cuddles from your pet in the future.
Prevention of oral disease is actually very easy! You can brush your dog's teeth a few times a week and give them bones and other healthy chews to help scrape the teeth clean. Feeding them a raw food diet is the best way to keep teeth white and clean!
Prevention of oral disease is actually very easy! You can brush your dog's teeth a few times a week and give them bones and other healthy chews to help scrape the teeth clean. Feeding them a raw food diet is the best way to keep teeth white and clean!
Weight management is extremely important! Dogs that are lean and fit who get a lot of exercise are physically stronger and healthier. Dogs that are overweight have a lot more fat around their organs, which puts pressure and stress on the body, making overweight dogs much more susceptible to disease and illness.
Proper diet, healthy treats fed in moderation and lots of exercise is the key to keeping dogs lean and strong. You should be able to feel your dogs ribs but not see every single one in a pronounced way. Your dog should also have a visible "tuck" at the abdomen.
Proper diet, healthy treats fed in moderation and lots of exercise is the key to keeping dogs lean and strong. You should be able to feel your dogs ribs but not see every single one in a pronounced way. Your dog should also have a visible "tuck" at the abdomen.
Annual veterinarian examinations are important to keep your dog healthy and prolong their life! Blood work can determine if your dogs diet is meeting all of their dietary needs, and can create a basis for which your vet can determine what is "normal" for your dog. This will be beneficial in diagnosing any future potential illness.
Keep your dog up to date on a minimal vaccine schedule, test for heartworm and tick-borne illness yearly and monitor your dogs health by having your vet do a wellness exam! All of this counts towards preventative animal care!
Keep your dog up to date on a minimal vaccine schedule, test for heartworm and tick-borne illness yearly and monitor your dogs health by having your vet do a wellness exam! All of this counts towards preventative animal care!
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