The National Pet Owners Survey of 2019-2020 found that 67% of homes in the United States have a pet. This equates to about 85 million households that live with a pet.
Pet ownership has continued to increase over the years, the first year the survey was conducted only about 56% of homes in the U.S. had a pet. Out of the 85 million homes with pets, about 63.4 million of them own dogs.
People love their dogs, they’re like another member of the family that they want to provide with love and care. If you’re wondering how to keep your dog healthy, keep reading to find out.
- Spaying or Neutering Will Give Your Dog a Better Life
One of the best tips for how to keep dogs healthy is spaying female dogs and neutering male dogs. By doing so you’re preventing the birth of more dogs that might not have a proper home to take care of them and prevent overpopulation of dogs in animal shelters.
These procedures can also prevent cancer and other forms of disease from developing in dogs. Neutering can help you handle your male dog’s aggression, they tend to become less aggressive after getting the procedure.
- Make Sure Your Home Is Safe for Your Dog
The same way that you have to baby-proof before the arrival of your child, you have to make sure your home is safe before you bring a puppy into it. Pets, especially when they’re pups, are just as curious as young children. Make sure you don’t have anything around your house that they can damage or that can hurt them.
Always keep food out of reach because there are some human foods that can be deadly for dogs. Make sure that trash cans are secured properly so that your new pup won’t get into them.
- Keep up to Date With Vaccines
The best tip you can receive on how to keep your puppy healthy is to get them all the proper vaccinations. Puppies are at risk of catching many different kinds of infections as they come in contact with different environments and other dogs. Getting all of the needed vaccinations will protect them from diseases like leptospirosis or rabies.
Most of these vaccines are given to your puppy during their earliest visits to the vet but make sure you communicate with their vet to make sure they have everything they need to lead a healthy life.
- Give Them the Best Food
In order for your dog to live a healthy and happy life, they have to receive the proper nutrition to thrive. A lot of factors come into play when deciding what food is best for your dog. You’ll have to do your research based on factors like weight, age, and other health issues they may have.
The most important thing is to give your dog food that’s approved by veterinarians and is well balanced with all the necessary nutrients. Make sure you’re aware of foods that can be poisonous for dogs and keep those foods away from them. If your dog ever does eat food that’s toxic to pets, it’s important that you take them to the emergency vet right away.
- Give Them the Needed Supplements
Learning how to have a healthy dog is learning that some dogs made need supplements added to their diets to maintain good physical health. Many dogs, later in life, suffer from inflammation and joint pain. These symptoms may make the later years a bit harder for them.
You can start researching supplements for dogs while your dog is still a puppy. These supplements can help maintain healthy joints and bones and prevent your dog from having to deal with too much pain as they age.
- They Need Visits to the Doctor Too
We all know how important it is to visit the doctor for our physical health. Regular visits to the vet are also important for the health of your dogs.
A yearly check-up with the vet ensures your dog isn’t suffering from any illnesses that can become something more severe over time. If you notice any changes in your dog’s eating or behavior you can also reach out to their vet and have them checked.
- Create an Exercise Routine
Staying active is great for both your physical and mental health and the same goes for dogs as well. Exercising with your dog also gives you some necessary bonding and playtime that all dogs need.
Dogs have a lot of energy and exercising will help them release some of that energy and will make your dog healthy. Regular exercise will also help your dog maintain a healthy weight. There are many activities you can do with your dog to keep them active, playing fetch and swimming are great options.
- Prevent Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworm
Fleas, ticks, and heartworm are pretty common parasites in dogs. They can bring a host of health issues, however, so prevention is crucial. Talk to your vet about the best medications to prevent these parasites from attacking your dog and to make sure you’re giving them the correct dosage of each.
- Make Sure Your Dog Has Healthy Teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth might seem difficult but it’s necessary to keep their health in check. Your vet can direct you to the best toothbrushes and pastes for dogs and can give you information on the best methods of brushing. Make sure you’re brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week.
Teeth brushing won’t only prevent your dog from developing bad breath but it’ll also prevent tooth decay that can lead to more serious infections in the heart or kidneys.
The Best Tips for How to Keep Your Dog Healthy
Dogs are an important part of many American families. If you’re trying to learn how to keep your dog healthy, this article includes some great tips. Make sure you read some of our other blogs to learn more.