5 Ways to Ensure Your Dog is Living Its Best Life from The Dog Stop!

The Dog Stop firmly believes that keeping your dog healthy and happy is an important responsibility of pet ownership. No one wants this beloved family member to be miserable or unhealthy.

Here are five simple steps you can take to make sure your dog is living its best life!

BALANCED DIET

One of the best ways to ensure your dog’s well-being is to provide them with premium dog food tailored to their needs. Premium dog food with the right amount of nutrients may cost a little more, but it is worth every penny. Sure, your pup might look overjoyed if you feed them table scraps, but the ultimate goal is to ensure they’re happy AND happy.

Sneaking table scraps is not in your dog’s best health interest. People food can upset your dog’s stomach and cause digestive issues, and eating table scraps regularly can lead to obesity. Additionally, some food that is a-ok for humans may contain toxins that could be harmful to your pooch.

Additionally, it’s important to avoid overfeeding and stick to recommended portion sizes for optimal nutrition. With the proper diet and regular exercise, you can make your dog’s life better than ever before!

All The Dog Stop’s retail stores carry a complete line of premium dog food products. Our careful and detailed selection process ensures that every product we offer will create a happy and healthy pet. Every brand ranks at least three stars, and many are limited-ingredient, grain and gluten-free, and easily digested. Whether it be a specific product for puppies, seniors, breeds, special diets, or allergy avoidance, we have what you are looking for.

EXERCISE

Getting in exercise is for more than just humans. From puppy stage to seniors, your dog needs regular physical activity, too, for many of the same reasons we do. Not only does regular exercise help to maintain a healthy weight, but it also helps to promote good social behavior in dogs.

Exercise allows dogs to explore their environment, build relationships with other animals, and even develop problem-solving skills. Regular exercise also helps reduce stress and anxiety in our furry friends. In addition, it can help prevent boredom which can lead to destructive behaviors such as chewing or digging. 

One of the best workouts for your dog is to let them romp around with other pups at a dog park or a daycare facility that offers monitored playtime.

GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE

Poor oral health can lead to gum disease, which can cause pain and discomfort for your dog. Do you know what can help prevent this? Regular brushing!

Brushing is the best way to maintain good dental hygiene for your dog. It helps to remove bacteria and plaque build-up, which can lead to gum disease if left unchecked. Regular brushing also helps to reduce bad breath and prevent tooth decay and other oral health issues. 

This video from The Farmer’s Dog shows you how to get your pup used to teeth cleaning at home.

DOGGIE ENRICHMENT

Sometimes your pooch may play dumb, but dogs are intelligent, social animals that need mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Dog enrichment can help keep your pup mentally engaged, reduce boredom, and prevent behavioral issues. So what is dog enrichment? Think of any activity that keeps them stimulated, active, and learning. Sort of self-growth for dogs! Enrichment activities can include:

• Puzzles.
• Teaching new tricks.
• Providing interactive toys and games.
• Even taking your pup for a walk in a new area.

ROUTINE VET VISITS

Very few of us like doctor appointments; your dog probably feels the same way. All that poking, prodding, and sitting on a cold, metal table can bring out the worst in all of us. But regular vet visits are a must!

Routine visits ensure that your dog is up to date with their vaccinations and provide an opportunity for general health checks and testing.

These appointments can uncover underlying illnesses or diseases that might be present in your dog and provide a chance to discuss any behavioral issues you may have noticed. Vets can give advice on diet and exercise explicitly geared to your pet.

All in all, ensuring your dog is living its best life mirrors what you would do to stay happy and healthy. The difference is their health is in our hands.