7 Wellness Tips About Your Dog

Quick Tips to Raising a Happy and Healthy Best Friend

Raising a happy and healthy dog is always a number one priority. Do you regularly think about the things you can be doing to help keep your best friend’s life on track? From an annual vaccination schedule to a daily walking routine, here are seven general wellness tips to consider.

1. Vaccination Schedule

Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, you’ll want to do your best to protect them from infection and disease! All dogs need vaccinations from time to time in order to prevent many illnesses. Keep your dog happy and healthy by asking your veterinarian for an annual vaccination schedule, as well as keeping up with your yearly visits.

 2. Managing Weight

Managing your best friend’s weight is an important aspect of their health. Are you feeding your dog according to the feeding guidelines on the bag? If your dog is not as active as an “average” dog, you may need to lower the amount of food you are feeding them daily. 

 3. Beware of “People Food”

Are you giving your dog extra “goodies” like table scraps or wet food? Remember, those are not free calories. You should adjust the amount of dry food you are feeding to account for those calories, as well. It’s safer to skip feeding people food altogether to make sure your dog isn’t fed something they shouldn’t have.  In case your best friend sticks their nose into the trash or kitchen table, learn what to do if dog eats something they shouldn’t.

 4. Raising a Puppy

Puppies grow quickly during their first year of life.  Feeding them a high-quality dry food like Bil-Jac Puppy Select Food, Small Breed Puppy Food or Large Breed Puppy Food will give them a healthy foundation for life.  Looking for a few puppy tips?  Use this step-by-step guide to raising a puppy, taking you through the stages of their life.

 5. Exercise Regularly

Start an exercise routine with your pup! Ten minutes of walking will give a quick boost to his or her energy day after day. Not only will your best friend receive health benefits, but so will you!

 6. They Are Understanding

Dogs are capable of understanding up to 250 words and gestures! They have the ability to grow and learn each day. Whether you decide to train your pup at home or select a dog obedience school, encouraging and praising your dog for positive behavior allows them to become your perfect member of the family.

 7. Playtime Matters

Even with our busy lives, it’s important to find the time to play with your best friend! Just like a few minutes of walking, a few minutes of playtime each day will give your dog great satisfaction and fitness. Throw a favorite toy for an indoor game of fetch, play tug-of-war or just wrestle for a few minutes each evening!

 
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Do you have any wellness tips to add? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below!