Keeping your dog in good health does not have to be difficult. Here are five things you can do today to keep your dog healthy.
Provide a Healthy Diet
There is a huge variety of dog food available today. So much that it can be a challenge to decide what to feed your dog. However, the important thing to understand is that not all dog foods are made from healthy ingredients. Yes, they may pass the minimum government standards, but that does not guarantee that it is the healthiest food for your pet.
You can choose healthier foods for your dog by taking the time to do some research and learning how to read dog food labels. Try to find food that contains more meat than fillers. Most of the high quality dog foods contain much less corn and other cereal products. It is not necessary to go completely grain free, but you should look for foods that contain meat sources such as chicken, chicken meal, lamb, lamb meal etc.
Try to look for food containing natural preservatives such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, citric acid, and rosemary. These natural preservatives contain antioxidant properties that are healthier for your dog.
The reason I say this is because the word is still out on ethoxyquin.
Ethoxyquin is a quinoline-based antioxidant used as a food preservative and a pesticide (under commercial names such as "Stop-Scald"). It is commonly used as a preservative in pet foods to prevent the rancidification of fats. Source
Many people believe that it can be harmful to your dog, while others argue that it is only harmful in larger amounts. However, I prefer to be safe than sorry. So personally, I suggest you try to find food that do not use it as a preservative.
Always Have Fresh Water Available
I know saying that a dog needs plenty of fresh water is stating the obvious. However, to go one step further, if you want to remove as much toxins as you can from your dog’s water, consider using a water filter. Unfiltered tap water can contain traces of unhealthy chemicals that can be harmful to both you and your dog.
A water filter or water purifier will help to remove toxins from the tap water and make the water healthier for both you and your dog. At home I use one of those water filters that attaches to the faucet. I then fill Misha’s water from there.
Provide Plenty of Exercise
It is very important that you provide your dog with sufficient exercise, after all look at this statistic:
Experts say about 40 percent of our nation’s dogs and cats are overweight or obese – Source
This is usually because we overfeed our dogs, give them just a little too many treats, and in some cases, too much table scraps. Of course, not giving them enough exercise will cause them to be overweight as well.
So, just take your dog out for a daily walk. If you can, add in a weekly run or jog and your dog’s health will improve even more. Another positive side effect is that you will get healthier as well.
Make Routine Visits to the Vet
Finding a good vet and taking your dog for regular checkups and routine shots is important for your dog’s long term health.
Provide Love and Attention
Spending time with your dog is what makes the difference between owning a dog and having a pet; between owning a pet and having another member of your family.
Sure, all the things I mentioned above are really important, but they are meaningless without the bond that exists between dog and owner. Enjoying your time together can do more than just keep your dog healthy. Time and again it has been shown that dogs can be beneficial to our health as well.
The benefits are mutual. Think about it, just petting your dog can have a positive effect on the way she feels and acts.
So know you know how to keep your dog healthy go spend some time with him today and enjoy the benefits that the bond will bring to you both.
What do you do to keep your dog healthy?
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