As man’s best friend, dogs enrich our lives in countless ways. But behind those big, adoring eyes and wagging tails, dogs are still animals with complex physical and emotional needs. Your pup cannot verbalize when they are unwell, scared, or stressed. Nevertheless, tuning into important signals they display allows you to provide the best possible care.
I Need Nutrients That Match My Body
Dogs thrive on diets resembling what their ancestors ate in the wild. As carnivores, most of their nutrition should come from quality animal-based proteins and fats. Meat ingredients like chicken, lamb and fish should be the first things listed in commercial dog foods.
The people at Nextrition explain that some dogs suffer sensitive stomachs, diarrhea or constipation from overly rich foods. Changing formulas or incorporating special dog treats for sensitive stomachs often provides relief. Don’t forget small dogs – they need extra calories crammed into tiny stomachs to maintain healthy weights. Help them out by choosing nutrient dense “small bite” varieties.
I Want More Than Just a Quick Walk
Your dog needs meaningful daily exercise catered to their age, size and energy levels. Smaller dogs require at least 30-60 minutes split into several shorter bathroom and play sessions. Large breeds need more like 90-120 minutes, including aerobic activity that gets their hearts pumping. If you can’t meet their needs alone every day, hire a dog walker or drop them at daycare sometimes for extra socialization and activity.
My Preventative Care Keeps Me Feeling Young
Annual well visits allow thorough nose-to-tail exams to catch problems dogs can’t communicate easily, like dental disease, heart conditions, lameness, lumps, and early cancer. Core vaccines are so important to avoid deadly contagious diseases that still threaten dogs. And they rely on you to give them monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention year-round. They hate those pesky bugs and internal parasites.
I Get Lonely Without Proper Supervision
Dogs are naturally social pack animals requiring appropriate amounts of companionship and supervision. If they must spend reasonable periods home alone, provide “occupational therapy” with food puzzles, chew toys and background noise to prevent anxiety or destructive behaviors. Confine them to safe spaces using crates and gates until they are fully house trained and stop inappropriate chewing.
My Behaviors Communicate How I Feel
Interpreting dog body language and calming signals allows you to identify when they are uncomfortable, playful, nervous, or aggressive. Stress manifests through displaced behaviors like constantly licking their paws or flank. Fear may show as lip licking, yawning, shaking off or avoiding eye contact. Aggression triggers include prolonged direct stares, looming over them or reaching toward their head. React appropriately to what their non-verbals say.
I Need More Than Just Food In My Bowl
Don’t underestimate the power of quality bonding time. Set aside moments for calm petting, brushing my coat, giving them massages, playing fetch using interactive toys and practicing fun training games. Carve out opportunities to simply relax side by side too. These meaningful social connections are the highlights of their day.
My Environment Impacts How I Feel
Pay attention to elements in their surroundings that generate fear or stress. They may be scared of thunderstorms, vacuums, strangers approaching on walks or territorial around other pets at home. Help them overcome triggers through gradual exposure techniques. Provide safe hiding spots, calming aids like swaddling jackets and pheromone plugins or ask your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications if needed.
Conclusion
Managing a dog’s health requires vigilance across nutrition, exercise, veterinary care, training, mental stimulation, safety and comfort realms. Attentive pet parents are rewarded with years of devoted companionship. Their unconditional love alone is worth taking the extra time to understand what makes them tick.
