Bringing a pet into your life can be a wonderful decision. According to statistics collected over the years, dogs and cats can specifically aid in reducing a person’s levels of stress and anxiety. People who own pets are less likely to have feelings of loneliness and depression, while children who are raised around pets are often more active and emotionally secure. Naturally, this decision also comes with a lot of responsibility. A pet is a living creature. This means you absolutely need to learn how to properly care for your furry friend.
Thankfully, being the best dog owner possible is primarily about focusing on a few common-sense points. Take a look at these tips and you’ll see just how easy it is to show your pooch a wonderful life.
Understand Your Dog’s Needs
Dogs, like any living creatures, have a few basic needs that need to be tended to on a daily basis. Pups need to be fed and given fresh water throughout the day, as well as be engaged in an active manner to keep the dog healthy and allow your pet to relieve itself. However, there are also specifics you will need to pay attention to regarding each breed. If you have a larger dog like a husky, for example, your pup needs to run around for longer periods so it can satisfy its natural need to move.
Unfortunately, there are also a handful of serious concerns that can come about due to pet breed. Dogs have largely been victims of designer engineering over the centuries, meaning that a large chunk of breeds have come about to satisfy a human being’s aesthetic goals. Smaller dogs like pugs are a good example of this, as the way this breed came about led to a genetic issue with its ability to breathe. Most pugs will require a type of surgery or medication in order to combat its body’s natural genetic setbacks.
Stay in Your Best Shape
Being an amazing dog owner is about a lot more than simply focusing on your pet. You also need to make sure that you are in your best shape possible. A dog is an active animal that needs to be constantly entertained and stimulated, especially during its earlier years. If you are out of shape, you might find it difficult to bring your dog to the park or go for a long walk without feeling winded. Letting a pet into the backyard to relieve itself might be fine in some situations, but you also need to get out and move.
There are several simple ways you can get in better shape for your pet. While committing to a regular routine with your pup will build your endurance over time, you can also make moves now to jumpstart the process. If you feel like you need extra support for maintaining a healthy weight, then you may want to review your options with a weight management kit or supplements. Switching your diet and working on an exercise regimen can also be quite useful in improving the way you feel when heading outside with your pooch.
Focus on Your Dog’s Diet
Just as a person is likely to feel his or her best when consuming fresh, clean meals, so does a dog benefit from being given the right food. Pet food can often be a headache to try and figure out. Every brand claims that it has a formulation meant for the needs of your pet. The trouble is figuring out which of these options is actually worth its weight. If you find that you have no clue where to begin, your best bet is to always check with your pup’s vet.
Even if you don’t go with the exact brand that your vet suggests, this will provide you with insight on what your dog needs for daily nutrition. Some independent research may also give you a better idea of what your dog will enjoy most.
Play All the Time
As human beings get older, they tend to play less than when they were children. However, a sense of playfulness is actually beneficial for a person for his or her entire life. The same is true of a dog. Puppies are more active than older dogs, but even a canine with a few years behind it is going to want to play if encouraged. You’ll find routine play sessions and spontaneous trips can keep both you and your dog stimulated in positive ways.
While owning a dog is a wonderful idea, you also need to remain mindful of all the responsibilities that come with the decision. Do a little research and you will easily be able to figure out how to keep your pup happy and healthy.
