Truthfully, we don’t deserve dogs. But fortunately, we’re lucky enough to have them, which means it’s our responsibility to ensure that they live long, happy lives under our care.
We all want to give our dogs the very best we can, a big yard to run around in and lots of toys to play with all day. If you’ve been thinking about how you might be a better pet parent in 2023, there are four key pillars to consider. Here are the most important things to do to ensure your dog’s health and happiness this year.
Keep Them Healthy and Safe
First of all, keeping your dogs healthy and safe is your top priority. This means taking care of them when they’re sick or injured, taking them for regular vet checkups, and administering any medication. You should also be doing everything you can to keep them protected from danger, such as microchipping them and making sure they don’t get out into the traffic.
If you’re concerned about your dog escaping your yard and running away, then Colorado Pet Fence offers various solutions that will help keep your furry friends safe on your property.
Optimize Their Diets
Another way to make sure your dog is healthy and avoid unexpected vet visits is to optimize their diet. Make sure they’re eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet that suits their specific dietary needs.
However, remember that dogs, just like people, can have allergies and food intolerances, so try out different high-quality foods to see which brands they thrive on.
Some families prefer to feed their dogs raw food, and others need specially formulated pellets. This is up to you, your vet, and your dog!
Train Them Well
You might not think that dog training is only to make your life easier and prevent your shoes from being eaten. However, this is also a crucial part of your dog’s happiness and well-being. A well-trained dog is more confident and less likely to get in trouble with their owners or strangers, meaning it won’t feel anxious very often.
In fact, training your dog will improve your relationship and enable them to be more trusting of you too.
Spend Time with Them
Finally, remember that buying toys and fancy dog beds is all well and good, but your dog really just wants to hang out with you. Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment, and you need to spend time with them every single day, so they feel loved and stimulated.
Come up with some different activities for you and your dog each week to keep things interesting for both of you – going for walks, visiting the park, swimming in the pool, or just snuggling on the couch after work. Your dog will appreciate any, and all the time you have to give to them!
Brain-stimulating food puzzles
You don’t have to play with your dog or cat all the time. They need things to do while you’re working or taking care of the house. Dogs and cats love brain games, so if you want to capture their attention, get them the right toy.
Your goal is to put a treat inside a puzzle and let your creature take a long time to figure it out. The most nutritious snack is one with high nutritional value because it motivates you. There are tons of different varieties, so you can keep your little one entertained for a long time.